The National Technical Museum in Prague on Letná was originally founded in 1908. Between 2006 and 2011, it underwent extensive reconstruction. Although not primarily focused on automobiles, the transportation exhibit has enough exhibits to make it the next stop on our tour. In addition to the exposition of transport, there are expositions of architecture, printing, astronomy, chemistry, photography, mining and metallurgy. But we are interested in the largest hall at the back, which attracts you from the checkout. There, however, I was in for the first unpleasant surprise, the entrance fee seemed appropriate to me, the extra charge for photography was not. For that, you get a big white sticker on your clothes, but it's probably barely noticeable, because I was asked 3 times during the inspection if and where I had it (it was right on my chest).
Fortunately, the greatest fears that the exhibits would be placed in such a way that it would be impossible to photograph them attractively did not come true. I started my tour of the museum from the upper floors focused on bicycle, ship, airplane and motorcycle exposition. Already from the walkways, it was possible to constantly admire the beautiful cars displayed at the very bottom. And here I found out that the most fantastic exhibit, at least for me, is the racing Mercedes W154 preserved in completely original condition with a slightly faded paintwork. In addition, from the walkway you have the opportunity to take a close look at its cockpit with a prehistoric sports seat and an amazing gearshift backdrop.
When you finally descend, the part of the tour begins where your significant other will nervously stomp until you've read all the lines on the information board. After Benz 's wagon, which was the first privately operated car in our country (the very first was Josef Božek 's steam locomotive , which has not been preserved, so only a model is located in the museum) is followed by the NW Präsident from Kopřivnice . Again in quite original condition, a little worn, which does not detract from its beauty at all. And if you absolutely want to see the reconstructed one, you can always drive directly to Kopřivnice . Following are other veterans of days long past that will really impress you. Of course, the Voituretta B from the Laurin and Klement workshop cannot be missing either. An excellent idea is the placement of classic plastic seats from trams, on which you can sit and enjoy the view of these pieces.
Jára da Cimrman is said to have been the pioneer of dead ends in science, but in the museum you will see one that he is not responsible for. It is a Bedell vehicle, which was a kind of cross between a motorcycle and a car. The following are large passenger cars from the First Republic of both domestic and foreign brands. And not only the well-known Laurin and Klement , Tatra or Praga , but also Walter or Zetka (cars from Zbrojovka Brno ). The sports coupe of the Jawa motorcycle company, which is the last surviving one, is very beautiful. After a flood of protruding mudguards and footboards, there is also a Tatra T77A . The beautiful flowing aerodynamic body is not overlooked, and I don't mind at all that the T77 or its relative T87 must be in the collection of practically every technical museum.
I turn to jump to the railway transport (with the only surviving inspection train with a passenger car body), which for some reason has a fire engine hidden. Then I go up to the platform, where there are four racing cars: the oldest racing car produced here in Kopřivnice NW , a beautiful red Wikov with a double windshield. Next to it is the Bugatti 51 , which remembers the Czech driver's greatest success at the Grand Prix , namely fourth place. And finally, despite its patina, a beautiful Mercedes . An authentic car driven by Rudolf Caracciola in the last pre-war German Grand Prix at the famous Nürburgring . I don't know about you, but I just felt "something" around this car.
I take a detour back to the cars and look at the Mercedes of the Nazi leaders from the protectorate period. Both the limousine converted from a convertible after the assassination of Heydrich and the convertible converted in the Vysoké Mýto body shop after the coup in 1948 are interesting. Behind the ZIS show cabriolet is another car that will capture the hearts of fans – the legendary Skoda 130 RS in the circuit version. The last pieces are the sedans of our multi-track presidents. Václav Havel is represented by a Renault 21 TSE with a heart on the windshield. He received it from Portuguese President Soares because he did not want to drive Czech Tatra cars. Very soon, however, he exchanged it for his favorite Mercedes , because after only 4 years the car became a museum exhibit. Miloš Zeman is presented with his Tatra 700 from his prime ministerial period, which is one of the last eight produced passenger Tatras . Unfortunately, I could not find out if it has an "ashtray" inside. Václav Klaus then donated to the museum a Skoda Superb of the first generation, which he did not like to drive because, according to him, it "rattled".
If you go looking for the restaurant in the basement, there is an exhibition hall with Praga cars next to it. Pre-war models such as Alfa , Baby , Grand or Piccolo are mostly represented here. The redesigned aerodynamic Praga Super Piccolo catches the eye. In addition to them, you will also find the racing special Praga R4S in white. It looks absolutely fantastic, but it is displayed quite far from the pavement, so you don't get a good look at the racing interior or the engine. At the end of the exhibition there is a military vehicle equipped with a machine gun. I was quite surprised that the most famous cars from Prague , the trucks V3S and S5T , are not dedicated to at least a bulletin board.
So if you are going to go to the National Technical Museum mainly because of the cars and are hesitating whether it is worth it, then I can say that it definitely is. The selection of cars is quite varied. Just remember that you are still in the Czech Republic. It was my mistake to visit the museum right after a similar experience in Germany , but to be fair, the National Technical Museum offers a really pleasant experience for a petrolhead. I definitely recommend his visit!
