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Topic starter
13/03/2026 10:06 am
It's probably not as exciting as the title suggests. This is the Czech Tatra 603 sedan produced from 1956 to 1975 that served Communist Party official and high ranking military brass. Its aerodynamic body housed an air-cooled 2,5 liter V8 with a 4 speed manual that produced 100 HP that could propel the car to 101 mph. The original 603 featured a 3 headlight configuration and like this model of the Tatra 2 603, it received a facelift in 1962 that gave the nose a more conventional 4 headlight design. It was produced in the province of Moravia which is now in the the eastern part of the Czech Republic or Czechia. This 1970 603/1 model is by IXO.
13/03/2026 10:42 am
That's cool, somewhat bizarre, but interesting all the same.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
13/03/2026 11:15 am
They are odd looking but I think they're cool. Here's one from a car show in Prague in 2022. No notes on the year but 61 or older as it had 3 headlights.
I have a 1/43 taxi model in red and cream.
This post was modified 2 months ago by Mark Sweeney
13/03/2026 11:58 am
It looks roomy, inside.
13/03/2026 12:10 pm
Tatras have always fascinated me because of their unconventionality. That looks like a nice model.
13/03/2026 1:27 pm
...pretty cool looking model Rich. 😎 😎 😎
13/03/2026 1:31 pm
I have this one in black....certainly something different!
13/03/2026 7:52 pm
For those that like, or would like to learn more about Tatras, I would recommend a visit to the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum. Last time I checked, they had seven of them.
14/03/2026 1:21 am
Heeey wait a second.....could it be possible that this design influenced that of the '63 Vette????
14/03/2026 5:29 pm
thats a great model. I have a Hachette et al 1/24 of the original 3 headlight grill. Love the quirky design. Tatra are reputed to be "Tatra is a Czech vehicle manufacturer from Kopřivnice. Owned by the TATRA TRUCKS a.s. company, it is the third oldest company in the world producing motor vehicles with an unbroken history"
14/03/2026 10:57 pm
@dave_larsen The Lane Museum may have even more Tatras. And I've driven their Skoda (it conked out on the rally a couple years ago).
15/03/2026 4:08 am
Those Tatras were quite successful in rally and endurance racing. The weight of the engine in the rear provided great traction.
Michael Majdalany
San Francisco, CA
15/03/2026 9:20 am
It is my understanding that the Tatra was a higher priced car in Europe???