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Smart–designed by the watch maker Swatch and built by Mercedes–is ideal for maneuvering (either driving or parking) in large cities. Smart comes in many models. The “Passion” you see here is designed for the style-conscious driver. It offers air conditioning, automatic gearbox (no clutch pedal), and a tridion safety cell. This vehicle is at home both […]

The history of Steyr dates back to 1820 with the manufacturing of sporting and military rifles. The concentric circle of the Steyr badge represents a target. The terms of the Treaty of St. Germain-En-Laye after the first World War prohibited arms production throughout Austria. Steyr turned to bicycle manufacturing to remain profitable, and began to

Operating in Austin, Texas, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Jet Industries was known primarily for the conversion of a variety of vehicles to electric power, which were then marketed under their own name with new model names. They are believed to have produced several hundred conversions in total.  Their primary markets were universities,

Hardware store tycoon and automotive entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin became the first to import Subarus to the US when he founded Subaru America in 1968. Although the brand was popular in Japan, Bricklin was not able to sell many after a 1970 Consumer Reports article rated the vehicle “Not Acceptable”. Bricklin, therefore, created a national racetrack

In 1931, Tatra introduced the T-57 model, with the air-cooled, four cylinder, overhead valve engine placed in the front. The T-57 was one of Tatra’s most popular models–four series were produced. It remained in production until after World War II. The example shown here is a T-57 (series 1) and was nicknamed “Hadimrška” which means

Tatra began experimenting with car aerodynamics in the early 1930s and began work on an automobile design on which future Tatras were based for decades. The Tatra T-77 was the world’s first serially produced aerodynamic-styled automobile powered by an air-cooled rear-mounted engine. The T-87 you see here began production in 1936. With the outbreak of

After World War II, Tatra found itself stranded behind the Iron Curtain. Hans Ledwinka was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and was imprisoned from 1945-51. The T-600 was introduced at the 1947 Prague Auto Salon. After World War II, Tatra’s chief designer was Julius Mackerly. He used many elements of the T-87 to design

When the Czech Republic was formed, the centralized planned economy appointed Tatra to be the manufacturer for big automobiles (those cars with engine displacement over 2000cc). It was then that work began on developing the T-603. This model was unveiled to the public in 1955 at the International Motor Event in Zlin, and production started

Tatra began as a Czechoslovakian car maker in 1922 and has been one of the largest auto makers behind the Iron Curtain. You can find additional history and a display of Tatra automobiles inside the museum. The T-613 was introduced in 1969 as a luxury automobile but it was available also as an ambulance. In