CABRIO GALLERY, z.s.

CABRIO GALLERY is a private car museum in Dobřenice, a small village a short drive from Hradec Králové, dedicated to Czechoslovak convertibles and Metalex-brand racing formulas. The collection is housed in a former brick factory that owner and founder Pavel Kalina converted into an exhibition space for his lifelong obsession with open-top Czechoslovak cars.

What will you see inside?

The core of the collection is nearly thirty Škoda passenger cars and ten formula racing cars, complemented by five vehicles built in Bratislava by the BAZ works. In total the gallery holds around forty machines, assembled over decades of searching and restoration work.

The oldest piece on display is a Škoda Rapid cabriolet from 1937, which opens the story of Czechoslovak open-bodied cars. Next to it stands a green Škoda 1102 Roadster from 1947, and among the most talked-about exhibits is the Škoda 440 Karosa — a one-off sports prototype, a type of car rarely built in postwar Czechoslovakia. The racing formulas mostly date from the late 1960s through the early 1990s, reflecting the domestic motorsport scene of that era.

Why a brick factory in Dobřenice?

The building now housing the gallery was bought from Karla Katschnerová, daughter of JUDr. Karel Loevenstein — one of the most influential figures in the economic and political life of interwar Czechoslovakia's First Republic. Loevenstein served for years as general director of the Škoda concern, and choosing this particular site for the museum was meant to draw a direct line between his legacy and Pavel Kalina's present-day collecting passion.

How do you get to Cabrio Gallery?

Dobřenice sits just off the road connecting Hradec Králové and Pardubice, so driving is by far the most practical option — the museum's address is Dobřenice 220. The surrounding area is the quiet farmland typical of the Hradec Králové region, without major tourist attractions nearby, which means a visit here tends to be a deliberate trip for car enthusiasts rather than a stop along another route.

When should you visit?

The gallery runs on a limited schedule — visits are mainly arranged on Saturdays, and outside that window it's best to contact the organizers directly to book a time. That's typical for small, privately run collections, where the number of daily visitors stays low and groups are usually shown around in person rather than left to wander a large exhibition hall alone.

Who is this museum for?

Cabrio Gallery is aimed chiefly at car enthusiasts, fans of Czechoslovak automotive history, and anyone drawn to classic sports and racing vehicles. The mix of rare convertibles and homegrown racing formulas puts it in the same conversation as small, specialized factory museums — except this one grew entirely out of one private collector's initiative.

Frequently asked questions

How many vehicles can you see at Cabrio Gallery? The collection holds around forty vehicles, including nearly thirty Škoda cars, ten formula racing cars, and five machines from the Bratislava-based BAZ works.

What is the oldest exhibit? The oldest car in the collection is a Škoda Rapid cabriolet from 1937.

Is the museum open every day? No — visits are mainly organized on Saturdays, and on other days it's best to arrange a visit in advance.

Who created the collection? The gallery was founded and is run by Pavel Kalina, a collector specializing in Czechoslovak convertibles and racing formulas.