NYT Collectible Car of the Year: 1941 Tatra T87

In automotive history, you don't get much more unique than Tatra and the unique T87. In fact, most have never even heard of the company. Tatra is an obscure brand hailing from Eastern Europe, specifically the Czech Republic.

Now the car is getting some attention as it was voted the New York Times Collectible Car of the Year by readers online.

Totally cool? Yes. The car is just about the oddest, most unique production car on the road. The design is futuristic, with dominated by a huge fin in the back, and three headlights up front.

The difference doesn't end with styling, it also goes down to the powertrain - the T87 is rear-engined, using a small air-cooled V-8.

The particular car in question is owned by Paul Greenstein and his girlfriend, Dydia DeLyser, who live in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Greenstein is clearly a Tatra fan - his girlfriend bought him two (yes two) 1950 Tatra T600s for his birthday, and he later added a 1970 T603 to the collection.

They bought the T87 in 2001 in an eBay auction for $8,000. It was later sent back to the Czech Republic for a three-and-a-half year restoration process that cost $60,000.

However, it may prove to have been a wise investment - a T87 recently sold for $125,000.

For more information about the T87 and specifics about the winning vehicle, head over to the New York Timeswebsite