[2] The truck was derived from model Tatra 11, with which it shared components and differed from it by strengthened rear axle.

It is a four-stroke, spark ignition, two-cylinder air-cooled boxer engine, with a capacity of 1057 cc and power of about 10 kilowatts (13 hp) at 2800 rpm.

The front axle is stiff, suspended by transverse half-elliptic spring, carried by the aluminium engine block, while the rear axle consists of two independent swinging half-axles, suspended by a transverse half-elliptic spring, which is mounted on top of the differential box and leaning its ends against the brake plates.

Tatra 13 was offered foremost as a small truck, however also buses were derived from it.

It differs from Tatra 11 and 12 not only by the carrossery, but also by use of larger wheels at the rear.