Tatra 623

The T-623 is a Czech rear-engined car made by Tatra as a rapid response vehicle for motorsport and civilian rescue work. It was based on the second-hand Tatra 613-2, first modified by AMK Narex, a company specialising in rescue operations that had been set up by the former racer Cyril Svoboda, and Narex produced six T-623 in 1984. The success of the car led Tatra to modify it further with the Narex and Kovosluzba rescue organisations, and demand from race organisers for a car that could keep up with Formula One cars produced the lighter two-seat T-623 R. A fleet of eight served as the safety cars at the inaugural 1986 Hungarian Grand Prix and the car last took part in 1995. The later car had a 3.8-litre V8 giving over 300 hp, a top speed of 250 km/h and a kerb weight of 1,270 kg. It was eventually replaced by modified Skoda Octavia cars and formed the basis of the MTX Tatra V8.