IMPERIAL PALACE (LAS VEGAS) T600

August 1999: I visited the Imperial Palace Auto Collection in Las Vegas, Nevada. Of course my main reason for going was to see the T600 Tatraplan there.

This is a Skoda built model as evidenced by the larger rear windows and the rounded end of the engine compartment lid. Even the windows in the firewall are larger.

In spite of the sign, this is definitely not a Type 97. I wonder how they got that wrong? This car appears to have a VW engine and transmission installed.

The center hood chrome and the grill pieces differ from those on my Tatraplans. Does anyone know if this was how Skoda did it or is this an attempt to replace missing trim? Notice that the glass in the rear windows is curved and not flat as on earlier T600s.

I laid on the floor to get the photograph at the right. The security guard came over and told me not to lay on the floor. He said this was for my own safety since there might be broken glass from a drink or vomit on the floor! This museum must have an interesting clientele.

Notice the area circled on the photo to the right. There is some sort of a sheet metal dam in the area of the air scoop. It doesn't look original since it doesn't follow the contour of the scoop opening. Perhaps this was installed to keep out rainwater when the car was parked. Anyone seen this before?