The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, is now featuring an exceptionally rare 1967 Tatra 2-603, a luxury sedan that represents a fascinating chapter in automotive history. Part of the prestigious Ron Sturgeon Collection, this vehicle highlights the innovative engineering, distinctive styling, and political history of Tatra, one of Europe's most unconventional automobile manufacturers.
Designed and built in Kopřivnice, Czechoslovakia, the Tatra 603 was produced from 1956 through 1975 and was never intended for public sale. Instead, the elegant sedan was reserved almost exclusively for high-ranking Communist Party officials and government leaders, making ownership both prestigious and extraordinarily exclusive. This beautifully preserved second-series 1967 Tatra 2-603, produced between 1964 and 1967, is instantly recognizable by its signature four-headlight front fascia surrounded by bright chrome trim, distinctive Dagmar-style bumper overriders, anchor-shaped hood ornamentation, and a split rear window.
While its styling turned heads, the T603's engineering was equally revolutionary. Built on advanced unibody construction, the car featured MacPherson strut front suspension, swing axles in the rear, and hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels, technology that placed it well ahead of many luxury automobiles of the 1960s. Hidden beneath the sculpted rear bodywork sits one of the T603's most remarkable features: an air-cooled 2.5-liter V8 engine mounted behind the rear axle. Recently overhauled during its restoration, the engine delivers power through a column-shifted four-speed transaxle, creating a driving experience unlike virtually any other executive sedan of its generation.
Inside, visitors will find a cabin that blends elegance with purposeful simplicity. A classic Blaupunkt push-button radio adds period charm, while the iconic two-spoke steering wheel frames a sweeping 180 km/h speedometer, reflecting the car's surprising performance capabilities and its ability to cruise Europe's expanding highway network with confidence. Having been relocated to the Netherlands during the 1980s, this rare Tatra has traveled remarkably few miles throughout its lifetime. Today, the odometer displays just over 46,000 kilometers (approximately 29,000 miles), making it an exceptionally well-preserved survivor.
'The Tatra 603 demonstrates that groundbreaking automotive engineering wasn't limited to Western Europe,' said Ron Sturgeon. 'Its innovative design, advanced technology, and remarkable history make it one of the most interesting vehicles in our collection and a favorite among automotive enthusiasts from around the world.'
Guests visiting the DFW Car & Toy Museum can experience this extraordinary Cold War-era luxury automobile alongside more than 200 rare, classic, vintage, and exotic vehicles and over 3,000 collectible toys from across the decades. Admission to the museum is free, making it one of the top Fort Worth museums and free attractions in North Texas. The museum is located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137, and hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
