The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has announced the addition of a rare 1936 Tatra 75 Convertible to its exhibit, providing visitors with a firsthand look at one of Europe's most innovative prewar automobiles. Part of the renowned Ron Sturgeon Collection, this vehicle underscores the advanced engineering and craftsmanship that distinguished Tatra as a forward-thinking manufacturer during the 1930s.
With only approximately 4,100 examples ever produced, the 1936 Tatra 75 Convertible is a rare sight globally. Before joining the Ron Sturgeon Collection, it was housed at the Tampa Bay Automotive Museum, where its historical significance and originality were carefully preserved. The car features an air-cooled 1.7-liter flat-four engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, embodying engineering solutions that were decades ahead of many competitors. Its innovative backbone chassis provided exceptional rigidity and a smooth ride, making the Type 75 a standout among luxury touring cars of its era.
The interior is a beautifully preserved right-hand-drive cabin trimmed in rich red leather with a body-color dashboard, reflecting the elegance of European automotive design. A classic VDO 120 km/h speedometer with an integrated clock serves as the centerpiece of the instrument panel, while the odometer shows only 44,000 kilometers (approximately 27,000 miles), indicating remarkably limited use. The car is finished with a sophisticated beige convertible top and remains one of the finest surviving examples of this historically significant model.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the museum, noted, "The Tatra 75 represents a level of creativity and innovation that continues to impress nearly 90 years later. It's automobiles like this that allow visitors to appreciate how engineering vision and craftsmanship have shaped the cars we drive today." The Tatra 75 holds a special place in automotive history as the last front-engined passenger car introduced by Tatra before the company shifted to its famous rear-engined designs that later influenced generations of automotive engineering.
Visitors can experience this extraordinary piece of history alongside more than 200 iconic automobiles and 3,000 vintage toys at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth. Admission is free, making it one of the premier free attractions in North Texas for families and enthusiasts. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
