A show at the Corcoran Gallery in D.C. carrying the title Modernism: Designing a New World 1914-1939 is worth checking out simply because ... well, it's a show at the Corcoran, and the Corcoran, as everyone knows, is a splendid place to spend a few hours before heading over to Maya Lin's Vietnam Memorial and crying your eyes out.

But aside from the Corcoran's overall, routine excellence, there's also one very immediate reason -- one tactile, three-dimensional, sexy, nicely shining reason -- for visiting the gallery this summer: namely, the presence in the Modernism show of one of the rarest of all Modernist cars, the wondrous, dorsal-finned Czech Tatra T77.

As Michael Mraz wrote in a previous MV Motoring blog entry, after spending a little time in a Tatra on the Louis Vuitton Boheme Run:

"Tatra, named after the mountain range that divides Poland and Slovakia, was founded in 1850 as a wagon manufacturer. Following Mercedes-Benz and Peugot, it's arguably the third oldest automaker in the world, producing Central Europe's first automobile in 1897. Today the company is synonymous with its boldly modern designs from the mid 20th century -- many of the earlier models, especially the 77 introduced in 1934, resemble prehistoric beasts you'd expect to find on the ocean floor.

The 603 is best known for its Communist origins. In 1948 all Czech companies, including Tatra, were nationalized. To meet the upper ranks's desires, Tatra introduced its first luxury car in 1957: The 603 was a 6-seater limousine reserved for Communist dignitaries and Eastern European party heads. (A great history of the 603 can be found at this aficionado's site.) Fidel Castro had, and allegedly still owns, a white 603."

Dorsal fins. Mountain ranges. Commie bigwigs. Fidel behind the wheel. How could you not go see this thing in person?

Modernism: Designing a New World runs through July 29, 2007.

--BEN COSGROVE