Buying Classics Abroad

This big rear-engined V8 saloon attracts attention and discussion on every outing. Acquisition and maintenance can be challenging, but they’re out there

Tatra T603

Symbolic of the Czechoslovakian Communist regime and seldom supplied to private buyers, these intriguing cars enjoyed little public popularity in period, but they have a small but enthusiastic following nearly three decades after the Velvet Revolution, particularly in their homeland to which, along with the US, many sold elsewhere now return.

Today, they appeal to enthusiasts of the unusual – often engineers, architects and even artists – and to the sorts of people who might consider a Citroën, Panhard or Lancia, but owners have to appreciate the need for personal initiative and self-help. The English language club is a community rather than a source of parts and hands-on support, and there are no specialist workshops here. Parts must usually be sourced from Central Europe.

Many T603s in the UK have been allowed to become unroadworthy, with no more than half a dozen on the button at any time. In most cases the sleepers would need at least £20k spending on them if resorting to professional refurbishment, so casting the net wider afield might be worthwhile for the determined.

The internet and Tatra Register UK are the most likely routes to a purchase, but cars in the Czech Republic and Slovakia are over a thousand miles away – a long way to go on a fool’s errand and a long drive back in an unfamiliar old car. A transporter or trailer is recommended.

It’s worth adding that the Czech and Slovakian languages don’t lend themselves well to smooth machine translation, so a native speaker as a companion or an English-speaking vendor will certainly make your life a lot easier.

After many years in the shadows, prices are now trending up strongly. The more common late cars in good order have already made over £30,000, while the much rarer early three-headlamp examples, if you can find one, will be far more expensive.