This is the 1991 MTX Tatra V8 (002). In 1977, Cyril Svoboda equipped his Lancia Beta with a self developed NAREX rescue system, which led to a growing fleet including rebuilt Tatra 613s, approved as T623s. Eight served as safety cars at the first Formula 1 race at Hungaroring in 1986. Though praised by FISA as one of the top three safety teams in the world, Svoboda was disappointed the official safety car was still a Porsche 928. Hence, that year, he teamed up with his friend, racer and designer Václav Král to create a rescue car powered by air-cooled Tatra V8 capable of leading a Formula 1 race („Antiporsche“). In 1987, Svoboda secured finances and commissioned 2 cars by Metalex in Pilsen. In 1988, with national racing class in mind, Král completed Group C car drawings („Supertatra“) in 1:10 and 1:5 scale. In 1989 followed the full scale model, first presented in spring 1990. The 1st prototype (001) in red paint debuted at the 1991 Prague Motor Show, the 2nd (002) was sold in 1992, the 3rd prototype (003) was built in 1993. An unfinished 4th car was sold to the USA, while build of the 5th („DHK Supersport“) was started in 2003. This example features an opening front flap and a hidden fuel filler, while the first car requires removing the entire front body and has the filler under the engine hood. This example was sold to a German carpet company owner who requested pearl white paint as opposed to the original red finish to match his collection, red Connolly leather for the interior, and air conditioning installed by Metalex for ten thousand Deutsche Marks, while also prompting a redesigned fixed front nose after damaging the original on the day he collected it.
How many made? 001 and 002: 1991, 003: 1993, 004: likely to be 1993, 005: project started in 2003. 5 total.
Engine: Air-Cooled Tatra 623 V8 2x Jikov SEDR carburetors - five speed gearbox - 160 kW/220 HP at 6000 rpm, 310 Nm at 4600 rpm
Debut: Prague, Loretánské náměstí 1990 (mock-up), Prague Auto Show 1991 (001)
Top Speed: around 165mph
0-60mph: around 5.8 seconds
Photo Credit: Ondřej Kroutil for @tatraheritage, z.s., 2019
Research: @rarecarsonly
1991 MTX Tatra V8
04.09.2025
MTX