Rare 1936 Tatra 75 Convertible Arrives at DFW Car & Toy Museum Showcasing Prewar Automotive Innovation

The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has added a rare 1936 Tatra 75 Convertible to its permanent exhibit, offering visitors a glimpse into the innovative engineering that defined European prewar automobiles. Part of the renowned Ron Sturgeon Collection, the vehicle is one of only approximately 4,100 examples produced and was previously housed at the Tampa Bay Automotive Museum, where its originality was carefully preserved.

Manufactured by the Czech automaker Tatra, the 1936 Tatra 75 features an advanced air-cooled 1.7-liter flat-four engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission. During the 1930s, Tatra distinguished itself by adopting engineering solutions that were decades ahead of competitors, including a backbone chassis that provided exceptional rigidity and a smooth ride. The convertible is finished with a beige top and a right-hand-drive interior trimmed in red leather, with a body-color dashboard and a VDO 120 km/h speedometer. Its odometer reads just 44,000 kilometers (approximately 27,000 miles), reflecting limited use over its lifetime.

"The Tatra 75 represents a level of creativity and innovation that continues to impress nearly 90 years later," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the museum. "It's automobiles like this that allow visitors to appreciate how engineering vision and craftsmanship have shaped the cars we drive today." The vehicle also holds historical significance as Tatra's last front-engined passenger car before the company shifted to rear-engined designs that later influenced generations of automotive engineering.

The DFW Car & Toy Museum, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, houses over 200 iconic automobiles and 3,000 vintage toys spanning more than a century. Located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth, the museum offers free admission and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visitors can explore the new 150,000-square-foot facility, which includes secure climate-controlled car storage and event spaces. The museum is also dog-friendly and encourages photography. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.

The addition of the 1936 Tatra 75 Convertible underscores the museum's commitment to preserving automotive history and providing free access to rare vehicles that illustrate the evolution of transportation. As one of the top family attractions in North Texas, the museum offers an educational experience for automotive enthusiasts, history buffs, and families alike.