One-of-a-kind Laurin & Klement racing car set for auction in Miami
A unique racing car from the early 1900s, built by Laurin & Klement—the company that later became Škoda—is set to be auctioned off in Miami next year. The Type S2 Sportswagen, with its groundbreaking design, has been preserved in its original, unrestored condition, making it a rare find for collectors.
The Laurin & Klement Type S2 Sportswagen, set to go under the hammer in February at an RM Sotheby’s event, was commissioned by Baron Leo Haan of Graz, Austria, a well-known racer of the era. It is believed to have been completed in 1911. Car expert Jan Králík provides more details:
“The Type S was Laurin & Klement’s most successful type of car ever, but it has almost nothing in common with this particular model. This is a special, most likely one-off model. The only drawing that remained in the car factory is a chassis drawing, but not much is known about the other technical details.”
Baron Haan, a distant relative of Lata Brandis—the only woman to win the Velká Pardubická steeplechase—was not just a racer but also a forward-thinking innovator. To enhance the car’s handling, he equipped it with full wheel covers and, most notably, a canvas-covered wooden rudder mounted at the rear and linked to the steering gear. Jan Králík again:
"Back then, aerodynamics was just emerging. He probably thought it would help him navigate turns faster, but with only about 12 horsepower, I doubt it made much difference. I think it could only be used when there was no wind, since a side wind would have blown the car off course."
Though rudimentary, this feature was an early exploration of concepts that would eventually evolve into the active aerodynamics seen in today’s Formula One Machines, albeit in a far less refined form.
The Type S2 also includes a horizontally opposed twin-cylinder, four-stroke engine, with the radiator mounted behind the engine and wrapped around the cowl. This unique configuration resulted in a distinctive “chisel”-like front design, reminiscent of Renaults and other cars of the period.
Despite its innovative design, the car’s racing success was limited. Its best performance was a second-place finish in a hill climb near Opava in 1911, and it failed to secure any major victories.
After its racing career, the car was sold by Haan to Günther Heger of Vienna, where it remained in storage for decades before being acquired by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the 1960s.
Remarkably, the car has stayed largely intact, save for a repaint in blue. RM Sotheby’s notes that its upholstery, engine compartment, and undercarriage are original. This level of preservation is exceptionally rare for a race vehicle of this era.
With an estimated value of $100,000 to $150,000, the Type S2 may not be the most expensive car at the Miami auction, but it might attract collectors due to its history and unique design, making it a notable find.
