The 1972 Škoda GIOM 1: Slovakia’s Strikingly Low Hand-Built Sports Car

Boundary-Bred Craft - Long before today’s era of niche performance brands and custom builds shared instantly online, car culture survived in far quieter corners of the world. In 1970s Czechoslovakia—where the automotive market was shaped more by necessity than passion—enthusiasts still found ways to express their love for speed. Out of that atmosphere emerged a car that seemed almost impossible for its time: the GIOM 1, a Slovak-built sports machine whose height was so extreme that in 1972 it was reportedly the second lowest car in the world. 

The GIOM 1 sports car, created in Slovakia in 1972, was claimed to be the second lowest car in the world at the time. (Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)

Its origins were surprisingly humble. In Piešťany, František Němec’s growing interest in racing collided with the creativity of a small circle of friends. Together they formed a group known as GIOM, short for “Garage of Ten Motorists.” With limited funds but an eagerness to build something competitive, they chose the B5 class and began crafting a machine from components that were accessible yet adaptable. The Škoda 100/110 series provided the foundation, offering a rear-engined layout, a simple mechanical structure, and parts that could be reworked without sophisticated equipment. 

The GIOM 1 sports car, was built from a Škoda 110 R donor using its self-supporting floor platform, chassis, and both axles—trapezoidal in front and shuttle-type at the rear. (Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)

From the original Škoda 110 R donor, the team carried over the self-supporting floor platform, the chassis, and the axles—the front trapezoidal and the rear shuttle setup. The one-liter engine from the Škoda 100, paired with its four-speed manual transmission, became the car’s first power source. Over time, the team took an ambitious step by installing a Fiat 1600 twin-cam engine, said to produce around 130 horsepower, elevating the GIOM 1 far beyond anything the group had initially expected.

The GIOM 1 sports car showcased resourceful engineering, yet its true ambition emerged in the completely new bodywork crafted by František Němec and young designer Peter Chudý. (Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)

Engineering choices reflected thoughtful improvisation. The suspension used Koni shock absorbers, while the front brakes were upgraded to Girling discs—a sharp contrast to the original drum system retained at the rear. Everyday driving relied on Škoda metal wheels fitted with Barum tires, but for racing, lightweight alloy wheels—sometimes referred to as electron wheels—were paired with Dunlop tires to sharpen performance. 

The GIOM 1 sports car was versatile enough to serve as a daily driver while also being capable of transforming into a circuit-ready racer when needed. (Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)

Although the mechanical aspect was resourceful, the bodywork was where true ambition surfaced. A completely new shell was crafted by František Němec and the young designer Peter Chudý. Only 22 years old and studying architecture at the Slovak Technical University, Chudý had already spent years submitting visionary car designs to competitions. His proposals explored multiple body variations, and his entries regularly ranked among the best, often taking several of the top positions at once. That creative confidence shaped the dramatic, futuristic form of the GIOM 1—something far removed from any standard Škoda silhouette. 

The GIOM 1 sports car, was built from a Škoda 110 R donor using its self-supporting floor platform, chassis, and both axles—trapezoidal in front and shuttle-type at the rear. (Picture from: WeirdWheels in Reddit)

The car was built almost entirely in Němec’s garage, with help from nine friends who brought together skills ranging from mechanical work to painting. The process wasn’t glamorous, but their craftsmanship allowed the vehicle to evolve into a sleek, extremely low sports car that looked decades ahead of its environment. In a period defined by uniformity, the GIOM 1 stood out not just as a technical curiosity but as a statement of personal vision. | 6A4IPsU-bo8 |

When viewed from the lens of today’s open, highly individualized car culture, the GIOM 1 feels unexpectedly relevant. It speaks to an idea that has gained new momentum: that remarkable machines can rise from places with limited resources, powered not by corporate budgets but by determination, skill, and friendship. Its story bridges the gap between past and present, echoing a truth that continues to inspire builders around the world—that innovation thrives wherever passion is strong enough to keep it alive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTO.CZ |  VRCHY | WEIRDWHEELS IN REDDIT ]

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