Tatra is the third oldest car manufacturer in the world, following Benz and Daimler.
The museum showcases the 'Slovenská strela' (Slovak Arrow), a luxury high-speed motor train from the 1930s housed in a dedicated adjacent pavilion.
Tatra vehicles were famous for their air-cooled rear engines, a design choice influenced by the engineer Hans Ledwinka.
The Tatra 87 was famously used by explorers Hanzelka and Zikmund during their travels across Africa and South America.
Tatra produced the first car with a central backbone tube chassis, which significantly increased torsional rigidity.
During World War II, the German army restricted Tatra's production of aerodynamic models because their high speeds led to fatal accidents among Nazi officers.
The museum collection includes rare prototypes that never entered mass production, such as the V570, which influenced the design of the Volkswagen Beetle.
Tatra trucks have won the Dakar Rally multiple times, and the museum houses several of these competition-hardened vehicles.
The Tatra Technical Museum in Kopřivnice is dedicated to the history of the Tatra automobile company, one of the oldest car manufacturers in the world. The collection is housed in a modern, architecturally distinct building that emphasizes the aerodynamic design evolution of Tatra vehicles. Visitors can explore a vast array of passenger cars, trucks, racing specials, and military prototypes. The museum features the iconic Tatra 77, the world's first serial-produced aerodynamic car with a rear-mounted air-cooled engine. Displays include unique chassis designs and historical engines that showcase the brand's innovative engineering. The exhibits cover over 150 years of manufacturing history, starting from early horse-drawn carriages to modern heavy-duty trucks. Interactive elements and period photographs provide context for the technical advancements of the brand. The facility serves as the primary repository for the technical heritage of the Kopřivnice factory.
The main exhibition hall features a circular platform layout, perfect for panoramic shots of the luxury aerodynamic sedans.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Lašské Muzeum to learn about the town's history.
Check if the adjacent 'Slovenská strela' exhibition is open, as it requires a separate or combined entry.
Allocate extra time to read the detailed technical plaques, which explain the brand's unique engineering philosophy.
Do not attempt to touch the vintage paintwork on the unrestored prototypes.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
