Laurin & Klement Voiturette A (1905-1907)

Before venturing into automobile production, Laurin & Klement were known for their bicycles and motorcycles. The first car produced by Laurin & Klement was manufactured from 1905 to 1907. This easy to drive two-seater automobile, debuting on October 29, 1905, reached speeds of up to 40 km/h, powered by a 7-horsepower gasoline two-cylinder engine. The 44 units of the L & K Voiturette A were sold for a competitive 3,600 crowns each. For context, the average worker earned 2 crowns a day at the time. Gasoline cost 66 hellers per kilogram, and the Voiturette A consumed around four kilograms per 100 kilometres. The chassis consisted of a ladder frame supporting two rigid axles with semi-elliptical leaf springs, and power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a cardan shaft, chains were also available on request. The Voiturette A model was followed by the Voiturette B model, which had its engine capacity increased to 1399cc, and of which 200 units were produced.

The first Laurin Klement car model from Mladá Boleslav

Officially licensed for road use on January 18, 1906, the Voiturette A made its public debut at the Prague Motor Show on April 15 of that year. This vehicle laid the foundation for Laurin Klement's subsequent development, with the product range expanding rapidly. It soon entailed other vehicles featuring two-cylinder engines, among them not only passenger cars but also commercial vehicles, and racing cars. In 1907 the FF type featured an in-line eight-cylinder engine.