Series Škoda Laurin & Klement - these are not just cars, but a symbol of the era when Czech engineering first declared itself at the world level. These cars, produced at the beginning of the 20th century, became a bridge between artisanal production and the industrial revolution in automobile manufacturing. Today they are prized by collectors as rare artifacts, and their technical solutions are still studied by automotive historians.

Unlike mass models Škoda modernity, Laurin & Klement is the name of the two founders of the company, whose surnames are forever inscribed in the names of the most luxurious and innovative cars of that time. From motorcycles to trucks, their brainchild covered the entire spectrum of vehicles, but it was the passenger cars of the series L&K have become the hallmark of the brand. In this article, we will look at why these cars are still admired, what technologies were revolutionary for their time, and how to distinguish the original from the fake.

Who are Laurin and Clement: the history of the brand

It all started in 1895, when two bicycle mechanics - Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement — founded a small workshop in the Czech city of Mlada Boleslav. Their first creation was not a car: it was bicycles under the brand Slavia, which quickly gained popularity due to their reliability and innovative solutions (for example, chain drive instead of belt drive). The success inspired the partners to expand production.

By 1899 they presented their first motorcycle, and already in In 1905 the first car appeared - Laurin & Klement Voiturette A, which became the first production car in Austria-Hungary. It's interesting that the title Voiturette (from French “small car”) was a marketing ploy: it emphasized the compactness and affordability of the model for the middle class, which was an innovation for that time.

  • 🔧 1895 - founding of a company, production of bicycles Slavia.
  • 🏍️ 1899 - the first motorcycle with an engine of our own design.
  • 🚗 1905 - debut of the first car Voiturette A.
  • 🏭 1925 - merger with the concern Škoda, the beginning of a new era.

By 1925, when the company became part of the concern Škoda Plzeň, she has already released more 10 car models, including trucks and even buses. Brand Laurin & Klement became synonymous with Czech quality, and its products were exported to Europe, Asia and America. Today, original copies are valued at hundreds of thousands of euros, and replicas are collected by enthusiasts around the world.

📊 How do you feel about vintage cars?
  • I love it and want to buy it
  • I'm interested in history, but not ready to travel
  • I consider them museum pieces
  • I don't see the point in them

Technical innovation: what made L&K unique

Cars Laurin & Klement they didn’t just copy European trends—they were ahead of them. For example, model L&K Type S (1907) became the first in the world with four-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.4 liters, developing a power of 28 hp. - at that time it was a breakthrough! For comparison: most competitors offered two-cylinder engines with power up to 12 hp.

Another know-how - cardan transmission instead of a chain drive, which appeared in the model Type FN (1909). This solution significantly increased reliability and ride comfort. And in Type LO (1911) engineers first used electric starter, eliminating the need for drivers to turn the handle.

Model Year of issue Innovation Power
Voiturette A 1905 First production L&K car 7 hp
Type S 1907 Four-cylinder engine 28 hp
Type FN 1909 Cardan transmission 30 hp
Type LO 1911 Electric starter 40 hp
Type 500 1925 The first model under the Škoda brand 50 hp

The model deserves special attention Type 300 (1924) - the last car produced under the brand Laurin & Klement before the merger with Škoda. It was equipped six-cylinder engine volume of 3.5 liters and reached speeds of up to 100 km/h - a fantastic indicator for that time! Interestingly, the bodies for this model were made to order in the best European studios, including Weinberger and Sodomka.

⚠️ Attention: Many "restored" examples L&K on the market have modern engines or bodies assembled from parts of different models. Check before purchasing chassis number (it must match the archival data of the plant) and the originality of the parts.

The most famous models: from Voiturette to Type 500

Over 20 years of production under the brand Laurin & Klement More than 30 models were produced, but some of them became real legends. Let's look at the most iconic ones:

Voiturette A (1905) — a “people’s” car with a 1.1-liter two-cylinder engine. Its main advantage is its simplicity of design and price: about 3,600 CZK (for comparison, Mercedes Simplex cost 5 times more). Despite the modest characteristics, Voiturette became a bestseller: more than 300 copies were sold in 5 years.

Type BS (1908) - the first model with four-speed gearbox. It was intended for wealthy clients and was equipped with a luxurious body type tonneau (with open rear deck for passengers). It is interesting that in 1908 this car was used for the Prague-Beijing run - one of the first road trips of this scale.

  • 🏆 Type S (1907) - race winner Prince Henry Trial in Germany.
  • 🚜 Type FN (1909) - the first L&K truck with a load capacity of 1.5 tons.
  • 💎 Type LO (1911) - a Rolls-Royce of its time with leather interior and wooden inserts.
  • 🚗 Type 500 (1925) - the first model under the brand Škoda, keeping the spirit of L&K.

Occupies a special place Type 300 (1924) - the last "purebred" Laurin & Klement. This car became a transitional model to the era Škoda: It combined traditional L&K luxury with new technologies such as hydraulic brakes and independent suspension front. Today, only about 10 copies of this model have survived, and each of them is a museum exhibit.

Why was the Type 300 the last L&K model?

In 1925, the company faced financial difficulties due to the post-war crisis. The Škoda Plzeň concern, which was involved in the production of weapons and mechanical engineering, proposed a merger. The condition was the use of the Škoda brand for cars, but the technical base and engineering achievements of L&K were preserved. This is how the Type 500 was born - the first car under the Škoda brand, but with the soul of Laurin & Klement.

How to distinguish an original from a fake: tips for collectors

The vintage car market is teeming with scammers, and Laurin & Klement - is no exception. Here's what to look for when purchasing:

  1. Chassis and engine number. It must match the factory records (these can be requested from the museum Škoda in Mlada Boleslav). On original models, the number is stamped on the frame and cylinder block.
  2. Body panels. The original bodies were made of sheet steel 1.2–1.5 mm thick with hand riveting. Modern replicas are often made from thin metal.
  3. Engine and transmission. Models before 1914 used cylinder blocks with individual liners, and the carburetors were marked Zenith or Solex.
  4. Documentation. Availability of original car passports (if preserved) or archival photographs significantly increases the cost.

One of the most common deceptions is relabeling later models Škoda (for example, Type 500) under early L&K. To avoid this, check:

  • 🔍 Radiator shape (in early L&K it is flat, in Škoda it is round).
  • 🔧 Suspension type (until 1920, springs with a longitudinal arrangement were used).
  • 📜 Inscriptions on parts (original screws and nuts were marked L&K, not Škoda).
⚠️ Attention: If the seller refuses to provide access to the chassis for inspection or photographing the license plate, this is a reason to doubt the authenticity. Original L&K never painted underneath: the factory gray or black primer should be visible there.

☑️ Checklist before purchasing Laurin & Klement

Done: 0 / 5

Where can you see Laurin & Klement today?

If you'd like to see these cars in person, here are the top places where they are on display:

1. Škoda Museum (Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic) — more than 10 original models are presented here, including Voiturette A and Type 300. The museum offers guided tours about the history of the brand and even the opportunity to ride in a vintage car (by appointment).

2. Technical Museum in Prague - in the exhibition there is Type BS (1908) and Type LO (1911), as well as motorcycles and bicycles L&K. Particularly interesting is the reconstruction of the workshop of Laurin and Clement.

3. Private collections and auctions:

  • 🏛️ Bonhams auction (London) - sold here in 2019 Type 300 for 450,000 euros.
  • 🚗 Ralph Lorenz Collection (Germany) - includes rare Type FN with body landaulet.
  • 🌍 Museum of Automotive History in Turin — exhibits Type S with racing history.

Original in Russia Laurin & Klement - a great rarity, but sometimes they can be seen at vintage car exhibitions in Moscow or St. Petersburg. For example, in 2022 at Retro Motorshow was presented Type BS 1909, brought from a private collection in the Czech Republic.

💡

If you are planning to visit the Škoda Museum, book a tour in advance through the official website. Groups are limited and guides tell exclusive stories not found in guidebooks.

How much is Laurin & Klement worth today: prices and investments

Car prices Laurin & Klement Varies by model, condition and history. Here are the current prices for 2026:

Model Year Condition Price (Euro)
Voiturette A 1905–1907 Restored 120 000–180 000
Type BS 1908–1911 Good (with history) 200 000–300 000
Type LO 1911–1914 Museum 350 000–500 000
Type 300 1924–1925 Original (not restored) 400 000–600 000

Investments in L&K are considered reliable: over the past 10 years, prices for original copies have increased by an average of 15–20% annually. However, experts warn:

  • 📉 Replicas practically do not increase in price - they are bought only for driving, and not as an asset.
  • 🔧 Unrestored cars may require investments comparable to their cost.
  • 📜 Documentation increases the price by 30–50% (for example, the presence of an original manual or photographs of the first owners).

The most expensive deals in recent years:

  • 💰 Type 300 (1924) - sold for 620,000 euros at auction RM Sotheby’s (2021).
  • 💰 Type LO (1912) with body limousine — 510,000 euros (Bonhams, 2020).
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing at auction, pay attention to the commission (usually 10-15% of the lot price) and transportation costs. Transporting a vintage car from Europe to Russia can cost 15,000–25,000 euros.
💡

Laurin & Klement cars are not only transport, but also a work of art. Their value will increase as the number of original examples decreases, which is why they are considered "blue chip" collector cars.

Is it possible to ride Laurin & Klement today?

Theoretically, yes, but in practice this is associated with a number of difficulties. Here's what to consider:

1. Technical condition. Even restored cars require constant maintenance. For example:

  • 🔧 Engines L&K designed for gasoline with an octane rating of no higher than 70 (modern 95 can damage the valves).
  • 🛢️ The oil needs to be changed every 500–800 km (original engines do not have an oil filter).
  • 🔥 The magneto ignition system requires regular cleaning of the contacts.

2. Legal nuances. In Russia, vintage cars over 30 years old can be registered as "collectible", but this will require:

  • 📄 Certificate of Authenticity (available through the Czech Škoda Museum).
  • 🚗 Technical inspection taking into account original characteristics (for example, no seat belts).
  • 💰 Payment of increased transport tax (calculated by capacity, and Type 300 it is 50 hp).

3. Comfort and safety. Ride on L&K — this is how to manage a “living museum”:

  • 🚦 The maximum speed of most models is 60–80 km/h (this is dangerous on the highway).
  • 🔊 The noise level in the cabin reaches 90 dB (as on a construction site).
  • 🛑 The braking distance from 50 km/h is about 30 meters (for modern cars it is 10–15 m).

However, enthusiasts organize rallies for vintage cars, where Laurin & Klement - welcome participants. For example, in Mille Miglia (Italy) or London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (UK). For such events, replicas with modern engines and brakes are often used, maintaining only the appearance of the original.

How to obtain a temporary permit for a vintage car in Europe?

In EU countries, preferential registration rules apply for cars over 30 years old. For example, in the Czech Republic you can get “historic license plates” (červené SPZ), which allow you to drive without a technical inspection, but only in the daytime and without commercial purposes. To do this, you need to provide an expert opinion on the authenticity of the car.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about Laurin & Klement

How many Laurin & Klement cars were produced?

Between 1905 and 1925, approximately 12,000 cars under the brand Laurin & Klement. The exact number is unknown, since some of the archives were lost during the wars. The most popular model was Voiturette A (about 300 copies), and the rarest - Type 300 (less than 100 cars).

Is it possible to buy spare parts for restoration?

There are practically no original spare parts left, but there are several ways:

  1. Order parts from Czech workshops (for example, Veterán Club L&K in Mlada Boleslav).
  2. Use 3D printing to reproduce plastic or metal parts (based on drawings from the Škoda Museum).
  3. Buy donor cars for disassembly (for example, Type BS often used as a "donor" for restoration Type S).

The cost of a complete restoration may exceed the price of the car itself (for example, engine overhaul Type LO costs 50,000–70,000 euros).

Which Laurin & Klement model is the fastest?

Absolute record holder - Type 300 (1924) with a six-cylinder engine. He accelerated to 100 km/h, which was a fantastic indicator for that time. For comparison: Ford Model T (1920s) developed a maximum of 70 km/h. In racing at the beginning of the 20th century L&K Type S also showed excellent results, taking prizes in rallies Prince Henry Trial.

Where can you ride Laurin & Klement?

There are several places that offer such walks:

  • 🇨🇿 Škoda Museum (Mlada Boleslav) – excursions with a test drive on a replica Voiturette A.
  • 🇬🇧 Goodwood Festival of Speed (Great Britain) - sometimes rides in retro cars are organized.
  • 🇩🇪 Classic Car Club Munich - rent Type BS for weddings or photo shoots.

The cost of such a walk is from 200 to 1,000 euros for 30 minutes, depending on the model.

Is it true that Laurin & Klement produced more than just cars?

Yes! The company produced:

  • 🚲 Bicycles (since 1895, model Slavia became a hit).
  • 🏍️ Motorcycles (the first model appeared in 1899, and L&K 500 1905 is considered a masterpiece of engineering).
  • 🚛 Trucks (for example, Type FN lifting capacity 1.5 tons).
  • 🚌 Buses (first model Type SO produced since 1907).
  • ✈️ Aircraft engines (in the 1910s L&K supplied aircraft engines).

It's interesting that motorcycles L&K were so reliable that they were used by the Austro-Hungarian army during the First World War.