In his function, the third-generation Velebný leads a group of 5 individuals on the depository: one engine specialist, two bodywork specialists and one other two ‘hybrid’ specialists. “And me, the boss,” provides Velebný.

However for him, that is way more than a day job. “After all,” he laughs when requested if he owns any basic Skodas himself. The checklist he rattles off doesn’t disappoint. In his five-car storage sits a Favorit Rally – presently being restored together with his son – and a Skoda System 3 automobile which is “on the ready checklist”.

However his prize possession is one thing of a gem: Skoda’s sole-running Le Mans automobile, which completed fifth in 1950’s 24-hour occasion. Adorned with the quantity 44, it has been totally restored by Velebný over six years, and he now campaigns it within the Le Mans Traditional occasion annually. “Many tasks,” he says. “It’s like having my very own museum at residence, however there’s not sufficient house!”

Again within the workshop, crammed with interval equipment used every day, we once more look over the 110 L Rallye, immediately being readied for a particular show on the museum. “This constructing is greater than 100 years outdated,” says Velebný, pointing on the tattered partitions and beamed ceiling. “We’re restoring historic vehicles in a historic constructing.”

Skoda 1000MB

Skoda’s first mass-produced automobile might simply be billed because the Czech Ford Anglia. In addition to being the debut for the model’s new frameless platform (no extra frame-on-chassis designs), the 1964 1000 MB was powered by a 36bhp 1.0-litre rear-mounted four-pot at a time when something aside from a front-mounted powerplant was not often thought of.

Sixty years on it will possibly nonetheless eat up the miles, though an excessive amount of pace tends to switch weight to the rear and the steering turns into mild. Quirky touches come within the type of a pre-EV-era ‘frunk’ and a grille that drops right down to reveal a spare wheel.

Skoda Well-liked Monte Carlo

Simply 10 of those grilled-light specials have been constructed, and three  stay. This late-Nineteen Thirties GT was commissioned following the model’s second-place end on the 1936 Monte Carlo Rally.