Skoda Museum Opens Historic Exhibition of Unrestored Vehicles

Explore the Skoda Museum’s new hall showcasing unrestored historic vehicles and rare models, presented by the museum. Learn more in this detailed story.

The new exhibition at the Skoda Museum invites visitors to explore the brand’s history from an unexpected angle. Instead of perfectly restored classics, the display showcases vehicles preserved almost exactly as they were found—after decades spent in barns, garages, or long-forgotten corners. These authentic traces of time create a distinctive atmosphere and offer a fresh way to read the company’s 130-year history.

The exhibition is housed in a sensitively restored former forge built in 1906. Massive metal trusses, old iron supports and three tall chimneys recall the era of early industrial production, when steam hammers operated here to shape large metal components. Today, the space brings forgotten fragments of the past back to life.

In one hall, visitors can see 23 vehicles, each carrying its own unique story. Among them is the L&K Skoda 110 Coupe, which began life in 1928 as a sporty open-top model. The bodywork was later modified in Jihlava, and a preserved 1933 photograph links the car to the family of its then-owner. In 1973, it entered the newly forming museum collection, becoming one of its early historical pieces.

Nearby stands the Skoda Popular Monte Carlo in the rare Roadster Deluxe specification, built specifically for the 1936 Prague Motor Show. Traces of a blue-grey metallic finish remain visible on the bonnet—an exhibition colour used for select showcase models at the time. After decades spent with multiple owners, the elegant roadster returned to Mlada Boleslav around five years ago and is now displayed together with the Monte Carlo Coupe that once shared the same show pedestal.

The exhibition spans the early decades of Skoda’s automotive development, ranging from the 1913 L&K Sd to the Skoda Rapid OHV from 1948, which appears almost modern beside its predecessors. Some vehicles have been part of the collection since the late 1960s, while others are more recent additions, each reflecting a different stage in the brand’s evolution.

The display is located in the oldest building of the original factory complex, which once housed paint shops and engine test benches. Several Laurin & Klement cars were produced here, giving the space an additional layer of historical significance. Guided tours last about 30 minutes and must be booked in advance. Beginning in 2026, a surcharge of CZK 100 will be added to the standard ticket price for access to this section.

The opening of this new hall marks the first stage of a broader expansion of the Skoda Museum. Next year, a new section dedicated to prototypes, experimental models and design studies from the 1950s to the present is expected to open, further enriching the understanding of Skoda’s development and bringing together vehicles that shaped the company’s direction across generations.