1911 Laurin & Klement Type S2 Sportwagen

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Coral Gables, Florida | February 2025

Flying Scooters is a type of amusement park ride where you sit in a suspended (usually two-person) car that spins in a big circle amongst other similar cars. Each car has a handheld rudder that can be swung side to side to change the angle of the car.

That’s what this reminds me of. An early Czech automotive manufacturer, Laurin & Klement existed from 1895 until 1925. Auto production began in 1905, and in 1925, it was purchased by conglomerate Skoda, who renamed it after themselves. That’s how it exists today.

This car features an early form of active aerodynamics. Turning the steering wheel turned the rudder at the rear (in addition to the front wheels), which produced side force, allowing the car to corner faster. Its first owner, racer, Baron Leo Haan, fitted the device as well as the wheel covers. It’s powered by a flat-twin.

The car was purchased by the Indianapolis Speedway Museum in 1964 out of 40 years of storage. About the only thing that has changed is the fact that it was repainted many decades ago. The estimate here is $100,000-$150,000. More info can be found here.