While the Skoda automobiles dates back to 1925, the company can actually trace its roots back to 1895 when cyclist Vaclav Laurin, a mechanic, and bookseller Vaclav Klement began designing and building their own bikes.
The cycling pair were so successful, they decided to add motors to their bikes and, by 1899, they had produced nearly 4000 motorbikes.
The natural next step for a duo was to turn their attention to a new phenomenon – the motor car – and from 1905 onwards their production of cars began to replace their motorbike lines.
It was an exciting time in Europe for the cars and Laurin and Klement could do no wrong – their first car, the Voiturette A, was a huge success.
Soon other successful models were introduced like type C and type E.
Type F was major success.This model was foundation for big variety of vehicles such sport cars,small buses,luxury phaetons,ambulances and utility vehicles.Type FC was cornerstone for L&K motor sport success.This model had three type of engines with different power.In March 1907, at the race Zbraslav-Jilovishte they took six first, five second and one third places. At the Ries near Graz hill race they won a double victory in two categories. The founder of FC Otto Hieronymus won the 686 km race from St. Petersburg to Moscow. In Germany on the race of Prince Heinrich FC leaves no chance to the competition. In 9 days the route covers 2200 km from Berlin via Kiel, Hamburg to Hanover.
Type FF was the first car with in-line eight cylinder motor in Central Europe.
Type FCS set world speed record of almost 119 km/h in it’s class on Brooksland speed track in England.
Type FCR achieved many winnings and set speed record of about 140 km/h in it’s class.
L&K expanded all over Europe and Asia.One third of their production was for the Russian market.First car company to export automobiles in the Empire of Japan.
Five years in a roll L&K won the famous and extremely difficult Alpine Rally from 1910 to 1914 with cars close to production cars with almost no modifications such type RK touring car.
Type S/Sa was laurin & Klement firs mass production car.
In 1912 Bulgarian war ministry purchased 20 Laurin & Klement ambulances for the need of the army.
First World War changed everything.Their offices outside Austro-Hungary were closed.Men send to fight.L&K started manufacturing military vehiclesand canons.After the war Czechoslovakia was born.With economical crisis,lack of resources and men to work L&K struggled to survive as well as other Czechoslovakian brands.In 1924 fire destroyed parts of the factory with materials.They had to find partner so they could survive.This partner was Skoda-the industrial giant from Pilsen.In 1925 the new cars were called Laurin & Klement-Skoda. In 1929 the name Laurin & Klement was gone and the automobile world forgot about this brand.
