Hans Ledwinka created the design of the T11 while working for Steyr in Austria.

He left the company soon after to work for a previous employer, Nesseldorfer, in Moravia, which was soon to become Tatra.

The Tatra T11 had its engine and gearbox in unit, bolted to the front of a tubular backbone with an integral propeller shaft that also served as the chassis.

It had a capacity of 1,057 cc (64.5 cu in) and was located above the front beam axle which was attached to it by a transverse semi-elliptical leaf spring.

The T57 was developed in T57A, T57B, and T57K versions, remaining in production until 1948, by which time over 27,000 had been produced, the later models having a 1256 cc engine.