Laurin & Klement A (1905): what the very first Škoda in history looked like

When it comes to first Škoda, many people mistakenly imagine 1920s or even later cars with the winged arrow emblem. But in fact, the history of the brand began long before the appearance of this logo - in 1905, when two Czech entrepreneurs, Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement, released their first production car under the brand Laurin & Klement. It was this machine, called Laurin & Klement A, became the progenitor of all future Škoda models, although it did not bear this name.

Interestingly, the partners were initially involved in the production of bicycles and then motorcycles. The transition to cars was a logical step in the context of the rapid development of technology at the beginning of the 20th century. Laurin & Klement A was not revolutionary from a technical point of view - its design largely repeated European designs of that time. However, it was this car that laid the foundation for the future of the Czech automobile industry, proving that a small company from Mladá Boleslav could compete with giants like Mercedes-Benz or Peugeot.

Today original copies Laurin & Klement A - extremely rare: according to the Škoda Museum, only about 10 cars have survived, and most of them are in private collections. But their significance for history is difficult to overestimate: without this modest car with a 7-horsepower engine there would not have been any Octavia, neither Superb, nor modern electric cars Enyaq. Let's figure out what the very first Škoda actually was.

Design and specifications: what was under the hood of the first ŠKODA

Laurin & Klement A equipped single cylinder engine with a volume of 1005 cm³, which developed the power of just 7 hp at 1500 rpm. For comparison: modern Škoda Fabia with the 1.0 TSI it has 20 times more power! However, for 1905 such indicators were quite competitive - for example, Ford Model A during the same period it produced only 8 hp, but with a larger displacement (1300 cm³). Engine L&K A it was water-cooled and started manually using a crooked starter - no electrical ignition systems existed at that time.

The gearbox was three-speed manual, without synchronizers (they were invented only in the 1920s). Gears were changed using an external lever located to the right of the driver - just like on motorcycles of that time. The maximum speed was modest 40 km/h, but this was enough for the roads of that time, most of which were dirt. The braking system was a combination of a foot brake on the rear axle and a hand brake on the transmission - disc or drum brakes on all wheels had not yet been invented.

Interesting detail: the car frame was made of tree, reinforced with steel elements - a typical solution for the beginning of the 20th century. Body type "tonno" (with an open top and minimal protection from the weather) was attached to the frame using straps. The suspension consisted of transverse springs at the front and longitudinal at the rear, and the wheels had wooden spokes and were shod with 760×80 mm tires - at that time this was considered a wide profile for better traction.

Design and layout: what the first ŠKODA looked like inside and out

From a modern design perspective Laurin & Klement A looks more like motorized carriagethan like a car. The body had the form of a simplified "phaeton" - open type with two rows of seats (2+2), but without doors. Passengers boarded by stepping over the side, and a canvas awning could be pulled up to protect from the rain. The headlights ran on acetylene, and instead of turn indicators the driver used hand signals - like riding a bicycle.

The dashboard consisted of a minimal set of instruments:

- speedometer (mechanical, with cable drive from the wheel),

- oil pressure gauge,

- throttle (gas) control lever.

Steering wheel was located on the right - as in British cars of that time (left-hand traffic in the Czech Republic was not yet standard). The seats were covered with leather or leatherette, and interior heating, of course, was not provided.

• 🔧 Engine: 1-cylinder, 1005 cm³, 7 hp.
• 🚗 Body: open tonneau, 4 seats (2+2)
• ⚙️ Gearbox: 3-speed manual, without synchronizers
• 💨 Max. speed: 40 km/h
• ⛽ Fuel consumption: ~12 l/100 km (gasoline with ~50 octane number)

The color range was extremely limited: most cars were painted dark green or black - these were the most durable paints of the time. It is interesting that there was no emblem on the radiator: instead of it, a metal plate with the inscription was attached "Laurin & Klement, Mlada Boleslav". The winged arrow, which became the symbol of Škoda, will appear only in 1926 after the merger of the companies.

Manufacturing and sales: how many of the first ŠKODAs were produced and who bought them

Factory in Mladá Boleslav, where they collected Laurin & Klement A, was quite small by the standards of that time. In 1905–1907, only 44 copies this model - by today's standards it is more likely pre-production batchthan mass production. Each car was assembled by hand, and many parts (such as engines) were made to order from European suppliers.

The main buyers were:

- wealthy citizens (doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs),

- small businessmenwho used a car to travel between cities,

- government agencies (for example, postal services).

Cost L&K A was about 3,600 Austro-Hungarian crowns - for comparison, the average worker’s salary then was about 50 crowns per month. That is, the car cost 5–6 annual salaries!

Year	Number of cars produced	Average price (in CZK)	Main markets
1905	7	3 600	Austria-Hungary, Czech Republic
1906	22	3 400	Avst ro-Hungary, Germany
1907	15	3 200	Austria-Hungary, Russia

Interesting fact: one of the first Laurin & Klement A was sold to Russia - it was acquired by a St. Petersburg merchant. This marked the beginning of the export of Czech cars to the Russian Empire, which actively continued until the First World War. By the way, it was Russian roads with their impassability that forced engineers L&K strengthen the suspension in subsequent models.

Evolution of the model: how the first ŠKODA changed in the following years

Laurin & Klement A became the basis for a whole line of cars that were produced until 1907. Already in 1906, a modification appeared Type B with a two-cylinder engine (1.4 l, 10 hp), and then Type C (1.6 l, 12 hp). The main changes affected:

• 🔋 Increased power — from 7 to 12 hp in two years.
• 🚪 Door Appearances - in the model Type C there were already side doors.
• 🔄 Transmission improvements — in Type B a 4-speed gearbox appeared.
• 🛡️ Frame reinforcements - completely metal structure instead of wood.

However, the real breakthrough was the model Laurin & Klement F (1907), which already had four-cylinder engine (2.4 l, 20 hp) and reached speeds of up to 60 km/h. It was with this car that serious rivalry with German and French brands began. By 1914 L&K has already produced 12 different models - from compact cars to trucks.

But let's get back to Type A: its main historical significance is that it proved that Czech engineers are capable of creating reliable and competitive cars. Without this experience there would have been no post-war prosperity Škoda (the companies merged in 1925), nor modern models like Kodiaq or Enyaq iV.

Why didn't the first Škoda have a winged arrow logo?

The Škoda emblem in the form of a winged arrow appeared only in 1926 after the merger of Laurin & Klement with the engineering concern Škoda Plzeň. Previously, cars were only marked with the words "Laurin & Klement" on the radiator. The arrow itself was taken from the logo of the Škoda plant, which was originally engaged in the production of weapons and industrial equipment.

Surviving examples: where you can see the first Škoda today

Today it is known about the existence 8–10 original Laurin & Klement A, most of which are in museums or private collections. The most famous specimens:

1. Škoda Museum (Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic) - a completely restored car from 1905, regularly participates in retro rallies.
2. Technical Museum (Vienna, Austria) - 1906 copy in original paint.
3. Private collection (Germany) - a car from 1907, sold at Bonhams auction in 2018 for 480,000 euros.

In 2005, for the 100th anniversary of the model Škoda Auto released line-of-mouth Laurin & Klement Acollected from the original drawings. This car has participated in various exhibitions, including the Geneva Motor Show. Interestingly, even modern engineers noted the simplicity and reliability of the design - with proper care, such a car could pass through the car. 50,000 km without major repairs (which was an outstanding indicator at the time).

⚠️ Note: If you are offered the “original” Laurin & Klement A for under 300,000 euros, it is almost certainly a fake. These specimens have unique serial numbers (from L&K 1 to L&K 44) and a documented history.

The impact on modern models of ŠKODA: what remains of the first car

At first glance, it may seem that between Laurin & Klement A modern Škoda Superb It's nothing in common. However, there are a few key principles that the company has been keeping for 119 years:

• 🔧 Practicality above all else Even the first model was designed as a reliable means of transportation, not a luxury toy.
• 💡 Innovation in the little things - for example, L&K A One of the first in Europe received removable wheels for rapid replacement of tires.
• 🌍 Export potential In 1907, the cars were sold in 5 European countries.
• 🏭 Local production All the key parts were made in Mladá Boleslav, which became a tradition.

Today Škoda It continues to develop these ideas:

- B Octavia and Superb Modular platforms are used MQBwhich, like the frame, L&K AThey allow you to quickly adapt the models to different needs.

- System Simply Clever (e.g., umbrellas in doors or ice scrapers in a gas tank lid) are a direct legacy of the pragmatic approach of the first engineers.

Even the design of modern models refers to the past: for example, the grille Enyaq Stylized as vertical lines of the first Laurin & Klement.

By the way, in 2020. Škoda released a limited edition Citigo iV Laurin & Klement - electric car with retro design in honor of the founders of the brand. This is further proof that the company remembers its roots, even when it becomes part of the group. Volkswagen Group.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about the first ŠKODA

Why was the first ŠKODA called Laurin & Klement and not ŠKODA?

Until 1925 the company Laurin & Klement It was independent and had no connection to the engineering company. Škoda Plzeň. The merger took place only after the First World War, when L&K It was in financial difficulties. The new company has been named ŠkodaThe models continued to be produced under the old brand until 1926.

How much does the original Laurin & Klement A cost today?

At auctions, the surviving copies are evaluated in EUR 400,000-600,000Depending on the status and history of ownership. For example, in 2018 at the auction Bonhams car 1907 went for 480,000 euros. Replicas (exact copies) are much cheaper - about 50,000-80,000 euros.

Is it possible to drive the first ŠKODA on modern roads?

Theoretically yes, but in practice it is extremely difficult:

- Maximum speed. 40 km/h Makes the car dangerous on the highways.

The absence of brakes on the front wheels increases the braking distance by 3-4 times compared to modern cars.

Registration will require registration as retrocar with limited use.

In most countries, these cars are used only for parades or retro races.

What fuel did the first ŠKODA use?

Engine Laurin & Klement A worked gasoline with an octane number of about 50 (The current AI-92 has an octane number of 92). The fuel of the time was closer to kerosene and contained many impurities, so the engines required frequent cleaning. The cars were refueled in pharmacies or at specialized stations - gas stations in today's sense did not exist then.

Where can I ride the replica of the first ŠKODA?

Several museums offer these opportunities:

- Škoda Museum (Mladá Boleslav) Sometimes he runs retro races in historic cars.

- Automuseum in Prague - conducts excursions with the possibility of a short trip to L&K A.

- Club of retro cars of the Czech Republic Owners of replicas sometimes give a ride at events.

The cost of such a trip is usually 200–500 euros in 10–15 minutes.