Václav Laurin and Václav Klement were the founding fathers of the Czech brand Skoda, but took their first steps in the automotive industry as L&K (Laurin & Klement, a name now used by its models to more high-end). Started in 1885 by manufacturing bicycles, for six years after the dare with the bikes and already in 1905 the first step towards the car, with the L&K Voiturette, which is back in today.
This L&K Voiturette A was presented in different media October 29, 1905. It was a vehicle of half a ton of weight equipped with a motor V2 1.0-litre, that delivered 7 HP power with which it could reach 40 km/h of top speed. The transmission was a manual three-speed with reverse, and what is most curious is that the clutch was lined in leather as a friction material. The 44 units of the model that were manufactured in Mladá Boleslav were the first stone to overcome, more than a century later, the 17 million units sold.
The Laurin & Klement Voiturette A in the press of the moment
The step of motorcycles to the car was not sudden in Skoda. Since 1900 he had intentions of producing a vehicle, feet the manufacturer was announced as follows: Laurin & Klement – factory of bicycles, motorcycles and cars in Slavia, Mlada Boleslav”. It was that same year when the company introduced its first quadricycle, with two squares, in which the psaajero stood in front of the driver in a lower position. In 1901 came the first wheel, instead of handlebars, to one of these models.
In the 120 year history of Skoda, of Mladá Boleslav has been the plant’s most important and currently still is. In the Czech Republic Skoda has also opened new plants in Kvasiny and Vrchlabí, but has gone beyond being able to produce outside of its borders, as in China, India or Russia.
Source – Skoda
