The DFW Car & Toy Museum is now showcasing a rare 1967 Tatra 2-603, a luxury sedan that epitomizes the innovative engineering and political intrigue of Cold War-era Czechoslovakia. Part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, this vehicle is one of the few remaining examples of a car designed exclusively for high-ranking Communist Party officials, never intended for public sale.
Built in Kopřivnice, Czechoslovakia, the Tatra 603 was produced from 1956 to 1975. Its distinctive design includes a four-headlight front fascia, chrome trim, and a split rear window. Underneath, the car features advanced unibody construction, MacPherson strut front suspension, and swing axles—technology ahead of its time. Power comes from an air-cooled 2.5-liter V8 engine mounted behind the rear axle, recently overhauled during restoration.
This particular 1967 model, a second-series Tatra 2-603, has traveled just over 46,000 kilometers (approximately 29,000 miles). It was relocated to the Netherlands in the 1980s before joining the collection. The interior includes a Blaupunkt push-button radio and a two-spoke steering wheel framing a 180 km/h speedometer, reflecting its performance capabilities.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the museum, noted, "The Tatra 603 demonstrates that groundbreaking automotive engineering wasn't limited to Western Europe." The museum, now located in North Fort Worth at 2550 McMillan Parkway, offers free admission and houses over 200 rare vehicles and 3,000 collectible toys.
This exhibit provides a unique glimpse into a chapter of automotive history where engineering excellence intersected with political exclusivity, making the Tatra 603 a must-see for enthusiasts and historians alike.
