Wikov
Wikov was a Czechoslovak machinery manufacturer that produced automobiles and small trucks in Prostějov.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Wikov was the automotive and machinery identity associated with Wichterle & Kovářik, a Czechoslovak manufacturer based in Prostějov. The business originated in 1878, when František Wichterle established a small factory making agricultural machinery and vehicles. A related Prostějov company owned by Dr. František Kovářik produced similar equipment, and the two enterprises were merged on 22 December 1918 into a joint-stock company named Wichterle & Kovářik Ltd. The merger created the industrial organization that later became known for vehicles sold under the Wikov name. The company initially experimented with automotive engineering rather than immediately entering volume production. It acquired a chassis from the Italian engineering company Ansaldo and developed a series of prototypes during the early 1920s. The first prototypes used four-cylinder, four-stroke engines of approximately one litre, with later development work increasing displacement to 1,250, 1,350 and, in some experiments, 1,500 cubic centimetres. Further prototype work between 1924 and 1925 produced cars of roughly 5 horsepower and 16 horsepower, followed by more developed 5/20 hp examples. Wikov's first series-produced automobile was the 7/28, introduced in the middle of the 1920s. Sources place the beginning of production in either 1925 or 1927. The model used a four-cylinder engine of approximately 1.5 litres and was offered in several body styles, including an open tourer, faux cabriolet and limousine. A two-seat sporting derivative was also developed. Approximately 280 examples were produced before the line ended in 1932. The 35 followed as a larger four-cylinder model. Produced from 1930 to 1935, it used a 1,743 cc engine rated at 35 horsepower and could be ordered in several passenger-car configurations, including phaeton, limousine, tourer, cabriolet and landaulet bodies. Wikov also used the Type 35 chassis for an ambitious aerodynamic experiment in 1931. The streamlined car attracted favorable press attention, but its production cost, modest performance and relatively poor fuel economy prevented series manufacture; only six examples were made. The Model 40 was Wikov's most successful automobile. Built from 1933 to 1935, it had a 1,942 cc four-cylinder engine producing approximately 43 horsepower and was available as a four- or six-seat saloon. Around 330 were produced. The model also achieved sporting recognition when Czech driver Adolf Szczyzycki won the 2,000 cc class of the 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia in 1934 using a Wikov 40. At the top of the range was the Model 70, developed between 1933 and 1935. It combined two four-cylinder units derived from the Model 35 into a 3,486 cc eight-cylinder engine rated at 70 horsepower. The project remained at the prototype stage, with only four examples produced. Passenger-car production ended in 1937, while the company continued making small trucks until about 1940. The German occupation of Czechoslovakia during the Second World War marked the end of the documented vehicle-production period. Wikov is therefore chiefly remembered as a small, technically ambitious interwar Czechoslovak automobile marque rather than as a continuing mass-market brand.
History
Wikov's origins lay in Prostějov's agricultural-machinery industry. František Wichterle established a small factory in 1878, producing agricultural vehicles and related machinery. Dr. František Kovářik operated a separate local enterprise with a similar industrial focus. Their businesses were consolidated on 22 December 1918 as Wichterle & Kovářik Ltd., a joint-stock company. The newly combined company later adopted Wikov as the recognizable name associated with its automobiles. Automotive development proceeded gradually. Rather than beginning with immediate mass production, the company explored designs and acquired an Ansaldo chassis from Italy. Its earliest vehicle work resulted in a small number of prototypes using four-cylinder, four-stroke engines. Initial displacement was around 1,000 cc, later increasing to 1,250 and 1,350 cc, with experiments extending toward 1,500 cc. In 1924 and 1925 the company produced additional 5/16 hp and 5/20 hp prototypes as it refined its engineering and bodywork. The first production automobile was the 7/28. Its production date is reported as either 1925 or 1927, reflecting differing historical accounts, and continued through 1932. The car used a four-cylinder engine of about 1,478 cc and was sold with multiple body styles. A two-seat Sport version broadened the range beyond conventional touring and saloon configurations. Approximately 280 7/28 cars were built. Wikov expanded the range with the Model 35, produced from 1930 to 1935. Its 1,743 cc engine developed 35 horsepower, and customers could choose among several open and closed body designs. The company also investigated aerodynamic styling. In 1931, a streamlined body was installed on a Type 35 chassis. Although journalists reportedly responded positively, the concept was expensive to manufacture and did not deliver sufficiently strong performance or economy for commercial production. Six examples were completed. The Model 40 became the company's strongest-selling automobile. Produced from 1933 to 1935, it employed a 1,942 cc four-cylinder engine producing approximately 43 horsepower. Around 330 cars were made, in four- and six-seat saloon forms. Its competition success in the 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia, where Adolf Szczyzycki won the 2,000 cc class in 1934, provided an important demonstration of the model's capabilities. The range culminated in the Model 70, which used two four-cylinder engines related to the Model 35 to create a 3,486 cc eight-cylinder power unit. The 70-horsepower car was built only as a prototype, with four examples completed between 1933 and 1935. Passenger-car production ceased in 1937. Wikov continued producing small trucks until approximately 1940, after which the wartime occupation of Czechoslovakia disrupted and effectively ended the vehicle program. The surviving historical record presents Wikov as a technically inventive but relatively low-volume manufacturer whose most important contribution was a series of distinctive interwar cars rather than a durable mass-production business.
- 1940
Small-truck production concludes
[1]The company continued with small trucks for a period after passenger cars ended, with documented production continuing until about 1940.
- 1937
Passenger-car production ends
[1]Wikov discontinued automobile production after its interwar passenger-car program.
- 1934
Competition success for the Wikov 40
[1]Adolf Szczyzycki won the 2,000 cc class of the 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia in a Wikov 40.
- 1933
Models 40 and 70 introduced
[1]Wikov expanded upward with the four-cylinder Model 40 and the prototype-only Model 70, which used an eight-cylinder configuration derived from two Model 35 engines.
- 1931
Streamlined Type 35 experiment
[1]An aerodynamic body was fitted to a Type 35 chassis. The design attracted attention but did not progress to volume production.
- 1930
Model 35 production begins
[1]Wikov introduced the larger 35, a 1,743 cc four-cylinder automobile offered in a broad range of body styles.
- 1925
Wikov 7/28 enters production
[1]The 7/28 became the marque's first mass-produced automobile, although some historical accounts date the start of production to 1927.
- 1922
Early Ansaldo-based prototypes
[1]The company developed its first automotive prototypes using an Ansaldo-derived chassis and a small four-cylinder engine.
- 1918
Wichterle and Kovářik companies merge
[1]On 22 December, the two Prostějov machinery businesses were combined into the joint-stock company Wichterle & Kovářik Ltd.
- 1878
František Wichterle establishes a Prostějov factory
[1]František Wichterle founded a small industrial operation in Prostějov producing agricultural machinery and vehicles, establishing the business tradition from which Wikov later emerged.
Products and positioning
A small, engineering-led Czechoslovak manufacturer offering technically distinctive passenger cars, limited-production variants and utility vehicles during the interwar period.
Passenger automobile · 1925
Wikov 7/28
The 7/28 was Wikov's first mass-produced car. Built from approximately 1925 or 1927 until 1932, it used a 1,478 cc four-cylinder engine and was offered in open tourer, faux cabriolet and limousine forms. A two-seat Sport derivative was also made. Historical production is reported at about 280 examples.
Passenger automobile · 1930
Wikov Model 35
The Model 35 was a larger four-cylinder car produced from 1930 to 1935. Its 1,743 cc engine produced approximately 35 horsepower. The model could be configured as a four-seat phaeton, four- or six-seat limousine, open tourer, cabriolet or landaulet. Approximately 150 examples were built.
Automobile prototype · 1931
Wikov streamlined Type 35
This experimental automobile used a streamlined aerodynamic body mounted on a Type 35 chassis. Developed in 1931, it was intended to explore modern styling and improved aerodynamic form. Production was considered but abandoned because of manufacturing cost, limited performance advantages and unfavorable fuel consumption. Six examples were completed.
Passenger automobile · 1933
Wikov Model 40
The Model 40 was Wikov's most successful car. Produced between 1933 and 1935, it used a 1,942 cc four-cylinder engine rated at approximately 43 horsepower and was offered as a four- or six-seat saloon. Around 330 examples were made. The model also gained sporting recognition through its victory in the 2,000 cc class of the 1934 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia.
Luxury automobile prototype · 1933
Wikov Model 70
The Model 70 was Wikov's largest and most ambitious automobile. It combined two four-cylinder units related to the Model 35 into a 3,486 cc eight-cylinder engine producing approximately 70 horsepower. Only four prototypes were made between 1933 and 1935, and the model did not enter series production.
Light commercial vehicle
Wikov small trucks
After ending passenger-car production, Wikov continued manufacturing small trucks for a limited period. The available historical account places the end of this activity around 1940, during the disruption caused by the German occupation of Czechoslovakia.
Sources1 sources
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