Backbone chassis

Backbone tube chassis is a type of automobile construction <a href="/facts/Chassis/YdnWbDFK">chassis</a> that is similar to the <a href="/facts/Body-on-frame/cXwG8AKd">body-on-frame</a> design. Instead of a two-dimensional <a href="/facts/Vehicle_frame/WN09z8zF">ladder-type structure</a>, it consists of a strong tubular backbone (usually rectangular in <a href="/facts/Cross_section_(geometry)/g5R1c6v2">cross section</a>) that connects the front and rear <a href="/facts/Suspension_(vehicle)/KuAt6dB1">suspension</a> attachment areas. A body is then placed on this structure. It was first used in the English <a href="/facts/Rover_8/dCShl2Hz">Rover 8hp</a> of 1904 and then the French <a href="/facts/Simplicia_(automobile)/aWe9HKo0">Simplicia</a> automobile in 1909.
The backbone chassis was extensively developed by <a href="/facts/Hans_Ledwinka/5cUcWxhb">Hans Ledwinka</a> who used it in greater numbers on the <a href="/facts/Tatra_11/9LtsraeN">Tatra 11</a> and subsequent vehicles. Ledwinka later used backbone frames with central tubes and axles with swinging driveshafts on <a href="/facts/Tatra_(company)/8w1ocCnc">Tatra</a> trucks, becoming known as Tatra-concept.

Backbone chassis open-in-new

Backbone chassis