One of the oldest car makers still in business, the Czech car company Tatra was nationalised in 1948 and the early post-war period saw them concentrate their efforts on just the one model, the Type 600 Tatraplan. Tatra then introduced a new luxury model, the Type 603, at a motor show in Zlin held in 1955, with series production kicking off in 1957. Early cars featured a split windscreen and triple headlights behind a reinforced glass panel but the nose was later redesigned for obvious reasons. The Tatra was an unconventional car in many ways, not least in terms of the layout - a rear-mounted V-8 engine with rear swing axles. The all-aluminium motor was air-cooled and initially displaced 2545cc, while the aerodynamic shape allowed for a high top speed. With independent suspension all round and four-speed transaxle, the Tatra had an incredibly comfortable ride for six passengers. Finned drum brakes provided adequate stopping power while rack and pinion steering was used. In 1964, Tatra launched the T603/2, with a four-headlight front, wider front track, new dashboard with padded top, plus various detail changes. In 1967, the third incarnation of the T603 was introduced, with a larger fuel tank (now with external filler cap), Jablonec disc brakes, wider track front/rear, new bumpers and another variation on the headlights up front. Upping the compression ratio also increased horsepower from 95 to 100 bhp. Tatras were always built in very small numbers, and very few escaped the Iron Curtain to end up in Australia. With streamlined styling that still looks radical today, unconventional engineering and rarity all part of the Tatra's heritage, it's no wonder these cars are considered so collectible today and hardly ever come on the market.

This car is part of a deceased estate and presents in very good original condition. It has just undergone a full engine rebuild along with work carried out on the brakes and some body work. This work was performed by the Vintage Motor Garage at Central Mangrove in NSW with invoices totalling over $13,000 during October to December 2008 and has been in storage ever since.

It comes with a number of rare books, work shop manuals and some spare parts as well as extensive documentation on the history of this car. Most of the history of the car with its previous owners is available. Included with the sale is a copy of the Restored Cars magazine issue number 61 from the mid 1980's, in which this car was featured.

This car was imported for the Czechoslovak Consul-General, and it is the only known one of its kind in Australia. Due to it not being possible to register LHD cars in NSW at that time, the RHD conversion was carried out locally and the column shift was changed to a floor shift because of the difficulties with the conversion.

To be sold unregistered and with NO RESERVE this highly collectible and rare 3 headlight car is a real head turner and will prove to be a good long term investment.

This vehicle is now available for inspection at 65 Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm. To arrange a viewing call the New South Wales Auction Team: Ian Clayton on 13 46 46 (ext 4).