Februaries as Turning Points: Key Events in TAM’s Early Years

Februaries as Turning Points: Key Events in TAM’s Early Years

17. februar 1948: Uradno potrjen logotip TAM

Na 17. februar 1948 je bil uradno potrjen logotip tovarne TAM, ki ga je zasnoval Jaroslav Černigoj, eden vidnejših mariborskih arhitektov povojnega obdobja. Logotip s trimi krogi in peterokrako zvezdo je postal prepoznaven simbol podjetja in ena najbolj ikoničnih grafičnih podob v Sloveniji.

Nastanek logotipa

Černigoj je kasneje opisal, kako je logotip nastal:

“V prvih letih svojega obstoja je razpisal TAM za svoj tovarniški znak javni natečaj v jugoslovanskem merilu. Natečaja sem se prvotno – da sem se v življenju s takimi grafičnimi stvarmi precej pečal – nisem nameraval udeležiti, ker sem bil takrat preveč zaposlen s projektantskimi posli baš za TAM. Tedaj pa prejmem od prijatelja iz Pariza razglednico z zahodno, torej glavno fasado Notre Damske katedrale. In na tej fasadi je bila, o čudo, kar v šestih izvodih rešitev za zaščitni znak tovarne TAM. Treba je bilo samo to, da vstavim v trikrako gotsko ornamentirano krogovičje črke TAM, v sredino pa peterokrako – kar sem tudi storil. In TAM je dobil eno najpopularnejših in najprepoznavnejših zaščitnih znakov v državi.”

Ta citat prikazuje preprostost in genialnost rešitve, ki združuje gotski trilistni motiv iz Pariza s funkcionalnim dizajnom, primeren za industrijski znak.

Černigoj in njegova vloga v Mariboru

Jaroslav Černigoj je med drugo svetovno vojno skupaj z bratom Milanom načrtoval tovarno letalskih motorjev v Mariboru, ki je po vojni postala tovarna avtomobilov TAM. Pozimi 1944–1945 je bil zaprt v gestapovskem zaporu, od koder je pobegnil spomladi in se pridružil Šercerjevi brigadi na Pohorju, kjer je bil pomočnik šefa propagandne brigade.

Po vojni je bil eden ključnih arhitektov Maribora in je sodeloval pri obnovi mesta, pri čemer je projektiral industrijske objekte, stanovanjske bloke in šolske stavbe v duhu podaljšanega funkcionalizma. Za TAM je ustvaril:

• Proizvodne dvorane

• Stanovanjski blok na Glavnem trgu (1952–1955)

• Stavbo tezenske osnovne šole

Poleg arhitekture se je posvečal tudi grafičnemu oblikovanju, pri čemer je njegov logotip TAM (1948) postal najbolj prepoznaven simbol podjetja.

Značilnosti logotipa

Logotip je sestavljen iz treh krogov in peterokrake zvezde v sredini, kar izhaja iz trilistnega motivnega vzorca vitraža katedrale Notre Dame v Parizu. Černigoj je črke TAM postavil v trilistni ornament, v sredino pa peterokrako zvezdo, kar je ustvarilo enostaven, a močan grafični simbol, takoj prepoznaven in trajno učinkovit.

Komisija, sestavljena iz predstavnikov TAM, je 17. februarja 1948 izbrala Černigojev dizajn kot uradni znak podjetja. Za svoje delo je Černigoj prejel 21.500 DIN, kar je bil v tistem času pomemben finančni znesek, ki je odražal pomen grafičnega oblikovanja za podjetje.

Prepoznavnost in trajnost

Logotip je po besedah oblikovalca Nenad Cizl:

“Mirno lahko rečem, da je večen. Takoj služi svojemu namenu in je prepoznaven.”

Zasnova logotipa je preprosta, geometrično jasna in simbolično močna, zaradi česar je ostal aktualen in prepoznaven tudi desetletja po svojem nastanku. Logotip je ostal uporaben vse do konca obstoja tovarne, medtem ko so ga kitajski partnerji ohranili, kar potrjuje njegovo mednarodno vrednost.

Pomen logotipa danes

Danes je TAM sinonim za slovensko inženirsko odličnost, z vozili, ki se uporabljajo po Evropi in širše. Logotip, ki ga je ustvaril Černigoj, ostaja simbol tradicije in kakovosti, povezuje arhitekturo, industrijo in grafično oblikovanje ter spominja na zgodovinsko in kulturno dediščino podjetja.

Praznovanje 17. februarja 1948 je praznik ne le logotipa, temveč tudi življenja in dela Jaroslava Černigoja, arhitekta, ki je združil umetnost, funkcionalizem in industrijo v eni prepoznavni grafični podobi. Trikrožni motiv s peterokrako zvezdo ostaja večni znak TAM, ki nadaljuje svojo zgodbo skozi desetletja in dokazuje, da lahko preprosta, premišljena ideja postane ikona.

 

February 17, 1948: Official Approval of the TAM Logo

On February 17, 1948, the TAM factory logo designed by prominent Maribor architect Jaroslav Černigoj was officially approved. Featuring three circles and a five-pointed star, the logo became a recognizable symbol of the company and one of Slovenia’s most iconic graphic designs.

The Creation of the Logo

Černigoj later described how the logo came about:

“In the early years of TAM, the company launched a public competition across Yugoslavia to create its factory emblem. Initially—I had dealt with such graphic tasks in my life, but I did not intend to participate because I was too busy with design projects for TAM. Then I received a postcard from a friend in Paris showing the western, main facade of Notre Dame Cathedral. On this facade, lo and behold, were six versions that could serve as TAM’s logo. All I had to do was insert the letters TAM into the three-lobed Gothic ornament and place a five-pointed star in the center—which I did. TAM thus received one of the most popular and recognizable emblems in the country. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most effective. Of course, a little bit of Columbus’ egg was involved in it all…”

This account highlights the simplicity and genius of the design, blending Gothic architectural motifs from Paris with a functional, industrial aesthetic.

Černigoj and His Role in Maribor

During World War II, Jaroslav Černigoj, together with his brother Milan, designed a factory for aircraft engines in Maribor within a project company in Graz. After the war, this facility was repurposed for TAM automobile production, linking Černigoj’s work directly to the company.

In the winter of 1944–1945, Černigoj was imprisoned by the Gestapo, from which he escaped in spring and joined the Šercer Brigade on Pohorje, serving as assistant to the head of the propaganda brigade. After the war, he became a leading architect in Maribor, contributing to the city’s reconstruction by designing industrial facilities, residential buildings, and schools in a style of extended functionalism.

For TAM, he designed:

• Production halls

• Residential block on Glavni trg (1952–1955)

• Tezno primary school building

In addition to architecture, he devoted himself to graphic design, and his TAM logo (1948) became the company’s most recognizable symbol.

Features of the Logo

The logo consists of three circles with a five-pointed star in the center, inspired by the trilobed motifs of the rose windows at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Černigoj placed the letters TAM into the trilobed ornament and added the central star, creating a simple yet powerful graphic symbol that is instantly recognizable and enduring.

A commission of TAM representatives officially selected Černigoj’s design on February 17, 1948 as the company’s emblem. For his work, Černigoj received 21,500 DIN, a substantial sum at the time, reflecting the importance of graphic design to the company.

Recognition and Longevity

Graphic designer Nenad Cizl commented on the logo’s durability:

“I can confidently say that it is eternal. It immediately serves its purpose and is recognizable.”

The logo’s simple geometric clarity and symbolic strength have allowed it to remain relevant and recognizable for decades. It was used throughout TAM’s operations until the company’s closure, and it was even retained by Chinese partners, demonstrating its international appeal.

The Logo’s Significance Today

Today, TAM is synonymous with Slovenian engineering excellence, producing vehicles used across Europe and beyond. Černigoj’s logo continues to serve as a symbol of tradition and quality, linking architecture, industry, and graphic design, and reminding us of the company’s historical and cultural heritage.

The celebration of February 17, 1948 honors not only the logo but also the life and work of Jaroslav Černigoj, the architect who combined art, functionalism, and industry into a single, recognizable graphic identity. The three-circle motif with the five-pointed star remains a timeless emblem of TAM, proving that a simple, thoughtful idea can become an icon.

TAMIČ (1960–začetek 1990-ih)

Legenda lahkega tovornega programa

Ko govorimo o lahkih gospodarskih vozilih druge polovice 20. stoletja v nekdanji Jugoslaviji, je eno ime skoraj samoumevno – TAMIČ. Bil je robusten, preprost, vsestranski in zanesljiv. Postal je sinonim za delovno vozilo, ki je služilo obrtnikom, gradbincem, komunalnim podjetjem, gasilcem, vojski in malim podjetnikom. Njegova konstrukcija ni bila zapletena, vendar je bila premišljena – in predvsem vzdržljiva.

Priprava za proizvodnjo modela TAM 2000 se je začela že konec leta 1959, februarja 1960 je bila na tržišče uradno dana družina vozil TAM 2000 lastne konstrukcije in izdelave, kar predstavlja enega ključnih mejnikov v razvoju modela. Šlo je za prvo lahko tovorno vozilo, zasnovano in razvito na podlagi domačega znanja in lastnega razvojnega dela.

Klasična kamionska arhitektura

TAMIČ je temeljil na klasični kamionski zasnovi. Vozilo je imelo togo lestveno šasijo, vzdolžno nameščen motor spredaj in pogon na zadnjo os z dvojnimi kolesi. Zadnja prema je bila toga, vpeta z listnatimi vzmetmi, kar je zagotavljalo visoko nosilnost in odpornost na preobremenitve.

Medosna razdalja je znašala 2.600 mm, kar je omogočalo dobro okretnost in stabilnost. Dolžina vozila je bila odvisna od izvedbe in se je gibala med 4.693 mm in 4.968 mm. Lastna masa je znašala približno od 2.230 do 2.600 kg.

Standardna nosilnost osnovne izvedbe je bila 1.270 kg, konstrukcijsko pa je bila šasija dimenzionirana za 2.000 kg. Pri ojačanih različicah je nosilnost dosegala tudi 3.000 kg. Zaradi možnosti homologacije z omejeno skupno maso je bilo vozilo možno voziti tudi z vozniškim dovoljenjem B-kategorije.

Motor in tehnični razvoj

Srce TAMIČ-a je predstavljal vrstni štirivaljni dizelski motor s prostornino 3.860 cm³. Šlo je za vodno hlajen, predkomorni motor tipa OHV.

Razvoj moči skozi leta:

• TAM 2000 – 60 KM

• TAM 2001 – 70 KM

• TAM 75 – 76 KM

• TAM 80 – 80 KM

• TAM 90 – 90 KM

Največja hitrost prvih izvedb je znašala okoli 75 km/h, pri kasnejših modelih do 90 km/h. Povprečna poraba goriva je znašala približno 15 litrov na 100 kilometrov.

Vozilo je imelo 5-stopenjski ročni sinhronizirani menjalnik. Prva prestava je bila zelo kratka, kar je omogočalo premagovanje vzponov do 30 % pri polni obremenitvi. V praksi se je vozilo v praznem stanju pogosto speljevalo iz druge prestave.

Proizvodne številke in tržni uspeh

Model TAM 2001, ki je predstavljal nadgrajeno različico prvotnega modela 2000, je bil v začetku sedemdesetih let med najbolj prodajanimi lahkimi tovornimi vozili.

Dokumentirani proizvodni podatki kažejo:

• Leta 1971 je bilo izdelanih 2.444 vozil TAM 2001.

• Leta 1972 je bilo izdelanih 3.202 vozil TAM 2001.

To pomeni izrazito rast proizvodnje v zgolj enem letu in potrjuje tržni uspeh modela v tem obdobju. Sedemdeseta leta so predstavljala eno najmočnejših faz proizvodnje in razširjenosti TAMIČ-a.

Vozilo se je uveljavilo na domačem trgu in se izvažalo tudi na tuje trge, zlasti v afriške države, kjer so cenili njegovo robustnost in mehansko preprostost.

Izvedbe in nadgradnje

TAMIČ ni bil zgolj en model, temveč celotna družina izvedb. Na isti osnovni šasiji so nastajale številne različice:

• klasični kamion (2+1 sedež)

• kamion z dvojno kabino (5+1)

• furgon

• minibus (8+1, pozneje do 15 sedežev)

• kiper

• podaljšana kabina

Poleg serijskih izvedb so nastajale tudi posebne nadgradnje:

• gasilska vozila

• komunalna vozila

• hladilniki

• pekarska dostavna vozila

• kamper izvedbe

• vojaške različice

• redka 4×4 izvedba

Prav ta prilagodljivost je bila ena največjih prednosti TAMIČ-a. Šasija je omogočala številne predelave, kar je razširilo njegovo uporabo v skoraj vse segmente lahkega gospodarskega prometa.

Vozne lastnosti in uporabniška izkušnja

TAMIČ je zahteval fizično moč. Volanski mehanizem brez servoojačevalnika in mehanska zasnova sta pomenila, da voznik ni bil razvajen z udobjem. A vozilo je bilo izjemno trpežno.

Zaradi kratke medosne razdalje je bilo presenetljivo okretno. Dvojna zadnja kolesa so zagotavljala stabilnost pod obremenitvijo. Mehanska zasnova je omogočala enostavna popravila, pogosto tudi brez specializiranega orodja.

Motor je bil znan po dolgi življenjski dobi. Ob rednem vzdrževanju so številni primerki presegli več sto tisoč kilometrov.

Dolga proizvodna doba

TAMIČ se je izdeloval od leta 1960 do poznih osemdesetih oziroma začetka devetdesetih let. Proizvodnja se ni končala že leta 1989, temveč je trajala še na začetku devetdesetih let, ko so nastajale zadnje različice modelov 80 in 90.

Skoraj tri desetletja proizvodnje brez temeljite konstrukcijske spremembe pomenijo jasen dokaz, da je bila osnovna zasnova pravilno zastavljena.

Tehnični povzetek

Motor: 4-valjni dizel, 3.860 cm³
Moč: 60–90 KM
Menjalnik: 5-stopenjski ročni
Pogon: zadnji
Medosna razdalja: 2.600 mm
Dolžina: 4.693–4.968 mm
Nosilnost: 1.270–3.000 kg
Največja hitrost: do 90 km/h
Poraba: približno 15 l/100 km
Proizvodnja: 1960 – začetek 1990-ih

TAMIČ ni bil luksuzen, ni bil hiter in ni bil tehnološko napreden. Bil pa je natančno to, kar je moral biti – zanesljivo delovno orodje. Februarja 1961 je bila na tržišče dana družina vozil TAM 2000 lastne konstrukcije in izdelave. Iz tega modela je nastala ena najprepoznavnejših lahkih tovornih serij v regiji.

Njegova moč je bila v preprostosti. Njegova vrednost v vzdržljivosti. In njegova zapuščina živi še danes – na cestah, v delavnicah in v spominu generacij, ki so z njim gradile svojo zgodbo.

TAMIČ (1960–early 1990s)

The Legend of the Light Commercial Program

When speaking about light commercial vehicles in the former Yugoslavia during the second half of the 20th century, one name inevitably stands out – TAMIČ. It was robust, simple, versatile and reliable. It became synonymous with a working vehicle that served craftsmen, construction companies, municipal services, firefighters, the military and small entrepreneurs. Its design was not complicated, but it was intelligently engineered — and above all, durable.

Preparing for the production of the TAM 2000 began at the end of 1959. In February 1960, the TAM 2000 vehicle family — entirely of in-house design and production — was officially introduced to the market, marking a key milestone in the model’s development. It was the first light truck developed based on domestic engineering knowledge and internal development expertise.

Classic Truck Architecture

TAMIČ was built on a classic truck concept. It featured a rigid ladder-frame chassis, a longitudinally mounted front engine, and rear-wheel drive with dual rear wheels. The rear axle was solid and supported by leaf springs, ensuring high load capacity and resistance to overload.

The wheelbase measured 2,600 mm, providing a balance between maneuverability and stability. Overall length varied depending on the version, ranging between 4,693 mm and 4,968 mm. Curb weight ranged from approximately 2,230 kg to 2,600 kg.

The standard payload of the base version was 1,270 kg, while the chassis itself was structurally rated for 2,000 kg. Reinforced versions could carry up to 3,000 kg. In certain configurations, the vehicle could be registered within the limits of a standard Category B driving license.

Engine and Technical Development

At the heart of TAMIČ was a 3,860 cc inline four-cylinder diesel engine. It was water-cooled, pre-chamber type, with OHV (overhead valve) configuration. The engine was manufactured under Perkins license at IMR Rakovica.

Power development over the years:

• TAM 2000 – 60 hp

• TAM 2001 – 70 hp

• TAM 75 – 76 hp

• TAM 80 – 80 hp

• TAM 90 – 90 hp

Early versions reached a top speed of approximately 75 km/h, while later variants achieved up to 90 km/h. Average fuel consumption was around 15 liters per 100 km.

The vehicle was equipped with a 5-speed manual synchronized gearbox. First gear was extremely short, allowing the vehicle to climb gradients of up to 30% when fully loaded. In normal unloaded driving conditions, it was common practice to start in second gear.

Production Figures and Market Success

The TAM 2001, an upgraded version of the original 2000 model, became one of the best-selling light trucks in the early 1970s.

Documented production data confirm:

• In 1971, 2,444 units of TAM 2001 were produced.

• In 1972, production increased to 3,202 units of TAM 2001.

This significant increase within a single year confirms the strong market demand and growing popularity of the model. The 1970s represented one of the most successful production periods for TAMIČ.

The vehicle was widely used domestically and exported to foreign markets, particularly African countries, where its durability and mechanical simplicity were highly valued.

Versions and Body Variants

TAMIČ was not a single model but an entire family of vehicles built on the same basic chassis. Available versions included:

• Standard truck (2+1 seats)

• Double cab truck (5+1 seats)

• Panel van

• Minibus (8+1 seats, later up to 15 seats)

• Tipper

• Extended cab version

In addition to serial versions, numerous special-purpose adaptations were produced:

• Firefighting vehicles

• Municipal service vehicles

• Refrigerated vans

• Bakery delivery vehicles

• Camper conversions

• Military versions

• Rare 4×4 variant

The adaptability of the chassis was one of TAMIČ’s strongest advantages. It allowed for a wide range of body conversions, making it suitable for nearly every segment of light commercial transport.

Driving Characteristics and User Experience

Driving a TAMIČ required physical strength. The steering system lacked power assistance, and the mechanical nature of the vehicle meant there were no comfort features. However, the vehicle compensated with extraordinary durability.

Thanks to its relatively short wheelbase, it was surprisingly maneuverable. The dual rear wheels provided stability under load. Its mechanical simplicity allowed for straightforward maintenance and repairs, often without specialized tools.

The engine was known for its longevity. With proper maintenance, many vehicles exceeded several hundred thousand kilometers of service life.

Long Production Span

TAMIČ was produced from 1960 until the late 1980s and into the early 1990s. Production did not end strictly in 1989; it continued into the early 1990s with the final versions of the 80 and 90 models.

Nearly three decades of production without fundamental structural redesign confirm the strength and correctness of the original engineering concept.

Technical Summary

Engine: 4-cylinder diesel, 3,860 cc
Power: 60–90 hp
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 2,600 mm
Length: 4,693–4,968 mm
Payload: 1,270–3,000 kg
Top speed: up to 90 km/h
Fuel consumption: approx. 15 L/100 km
Production period: 1960 – early 1990s

TAMIČ was not luxurious. It was not fast. It was not technologically advanced. But it was exactly what it needed to be — a reliable working tool.

In February 1961, the TAM 2000 vehicle family of in-house design and production was officially introduced to the market. From that foundation grew one of the most recognizable light truck series in the region.

Its strength lay in simplicity.
Its value lay in durability.
And its legacy still lives on — on roads, in workshops, and in the memories of generations who built their livelihoods with it.