We are here to protect and take care of the history that has been entrusted to us by many generations before us.
For the mankind the history means the same as a car does today for a modern society. They represent pillars without which we would not be able to do without from a long-term point of view. These two terms are inherently mutually connected with each other wheras the result of their unification gives rise to the term “car history”.
The car history is a relativelly young term, by the way, first reliable mentions of ancestors of today's motorized transport means date back to the 19th century. The old continent - Europe had almost a privileged position at industry origin. Not otherwise was it at car industry origin.
Let' s uncover the secret mask covering the beginnings of transport means production in Czech lands (subsequently the then Austria-Hungary and later Czechoslovakia). A world-recognized phenomenon – TATRA car company was founded during several decades from a small workshop in Kopřivnice where Ignác Šustala began constructing coaches, sledges and traps.
The most comprehensive collection dedicated to the documentation of historic development of the above-mentioned company has its place in Kopřivnice as well. In representation premises opened on October 3, 1997 nonspecialists as well as professional public may experience a fascinating reflection of times in which the Kopřivnice car factory managed to reach – with the help of pioneering methods – to the tops of technical development of motor vehicles.
The exhibited cars themselves but also their parts (including unique air-cooled engines) enable to perceive time-unconventional ideas and which became a principle of local designers. The exhibition is supplemented by 7 audiovisual boxes that provide comprehensive additional information in form of videoclips, exhibited models, constructers' car designs, trophies from many sports events and photographies commemorating other out of many products that have not been preserved until present time. The listing of exhibits is completed with the biggest of them, a representative of Tatra railway production, express motor wagon also known as "Slovenská strela". The total museum area incl. renovation workshops is 4.921 square m