This weekend, patrons of the Bendigo National Swap Meet will have the opportunity to see Mr Zysvelt’s rare Czech vehicle alongside other unusual and uncommon cars as part of a new feature of the annual event.

This year there will be a ‘Barn Finds and Survivor Cars’ attraction, which will feature vehicles that have been hidden away in sheds and barns, presented as they are.

Organiser Ron Poyser said they would sit alongside original cars that had not been touched or modified, typically vehicles with low mileage.

“The idea of the Barn Finds is that so many enthusiasts enjoy to see vehicles that have just been left and forgotten basically, haven’t had any love and attention, any upkeep,” Mr Poyser said.

Related: Check out the action at the 2017 Bendigo Swap Meet

Mr Zysvelt said he became interested in Tatras in the 1950s when, as a young apprentice, one caught his eye and he thought, “Bloody hell, I need one of those”.

Tatra has an interesting history – it is reported the early Volkswagen Beetle was based on a Tatra vehicle, and Volkswagen ended up settling with Tatra a patent infringement suit out-of-court in the 1960s.

This year’s event will also feature a display of Delage vehicles.

Swap Meet committee chairman Ashley Gray said about 15,000 people were expected to visit the event. 

Gates open at the Prince of Wales Showground at 6am on Sunday and 7am on Sunday.

Admission is $15 for adults on Saturday and $5 on Sunday. Children under 16 have free entry.

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