The DFW Car & Toy Museum has added a rare 1936 Tatra 75 Convertible to its exhibit, offering visitors a glimpse into the innovative engineering of prewar Europe. The vehicle, part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, was previously housed at the Tampa Bay Automotive Museum, where its historical significance and originality were preserved.
With only about 4,100 examples produced, the Tatra 75 is a uncommon sight. It features an air-cooled 1.7-liter flat-four engine and a four-speed manual transmission. During the 1930s, Tatra distinguished itself with advanced engineering, including a backbone chassis that provided rigidity and a smooth ride, positioning the Type 75 as a standout luxury touring car.
The interior is a right-hand-drive design trimmed in red leather with a body-color dashboard, reflecting European automotive elegance. A VDO 120 km/h speedometer with an integrated clock dominates the instrument panel, and the odometer shows just 44,000 kilometers (approximately 27,000 miles), indicating limited use. The vehicle is finished with a beige convertible top and is considered one of the finest surviving examples of this model.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the museum, remarked: "The Tatra 75 represents a level of creativity and innovation that continues to impress nearly 90 years later." The car holds historical importance as the last front-engined passenger car from Tatra before the company shifted to rear-engined designs that influenced future automotive engineering.
The DFW Car & Toy Museum, located at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com, offers free admission and features over 200 iconic automobiles and 3,000 vintage toys. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and provides climate-controlled storage and event facilities.
