Our History

From racing engines to historic tank restoration – the Ilja Sercl story spanning over 50 years of engineering excellence.

The history of Ilja Sercl and Armytech
1957–1961
Starting at age 15, Ilja Sercl trained in engine design, construction, and overhaul under former German Wehrmacht engineers, earning certifications as an Autowerkzeugmeister and a Maschinenwerkstattmeister. Some of these engineers had personally built and serviced tank engines during the Second World War.
1961–1965
Werkzeugmeister in munition production – mastering precision engineering and quality control.
1965–1969
Automobile School in Mlada Boleslav – deepening automotive knowledge and technical expertise.
1969–1975
Technician in Car Service – hands-on experience with vehicle maintenance and repair.
1975–1990
Ilja Sercl became technical manager of RTL (Racing Team Liberec), representing Czech Republic in the Eastern bloc. Through technical improvements, RTL won 12 times in 15 years the main cup of "peace and friendship" – races with all Eastern bloc countries including Russia, using Skoda 140.
1990–1992
The Eastern bloc collapsed and the state stopped investing in racing engine development. Ilja Sercl started small-scale overhaul and mechanical tuning of motorcycle, car, ship, small airplane and ship engines for private owners.
1992–1995
Tuning BMW engines for "Master of Czech Republic". Driver Josef Wenz won 5 consecutive seasons with racing engines built by Ilja Sercl.
1995
Started general larger-scale overhaul of all kinds of engines: car, motorcycle, tank, ship engines and rare old-timer engines. Armytech was born.
1995–2000
Tuning for Formula Skoda (Mister Republic). Engines by Sercl won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for 5 consecutive years – dominating Czech motorsport.
2000–2007

As the Czech racing scene declined, we focused exclusively on precision engine overhaul and restoration. One of our most vital clients became the Military History Institute in Prague, relying on us for tank engines, aircraft powerplants, and rare classic cars. This legacy of precision together with new marketing efforts opened international doors, establishing a strong presence in the UK and the USA.

2007

Pavel Sercl takes over the Armytech workshop work for the international clients while Ilja Sercl keeps doing some inventions and projects for the local market. The tradition continues. Pavel, a true perfectionist and studied mechanical engineer, inherited his father's knowledge and leads the workshop with a team of skilled engine specialists and enthusiasts, including Martin and Konstantin.

Ilja Sercl in the workshop

Ilja Sercl – A Legacy of Excellence

Born in 1942, Ilja Sercl's journey from a 15-year-old apprentice at Franz Neumann arms factory to becoming the Czech Republic's leading engine specialist spans over six decades of dedication, innovation, and uncompromising quality.

His unique training under German engineers who worked during WWII gave him unparalleled knowledge of historic engine designs. This expertise, combined with his racing experience and precision engineering background, makes him one of the last masters capable of restoring rare Wehrmacht tank engines and transmissions.

"We love to restore historic engines piece by piece. By adapting them to today's fuels, we ensure they run smoother and better than when they were new. We provide a worldwide guarantee and service for our restored engines for up to 5 years, depending on the model."

The Armytech Legacy

Today, Armytech continues the tradition under the leadership of Pavel Sercl, Ilja's son. Pavel, a true perfectionist, inherited his father's knowledge and takes the workshop forward with a team of skilled engine specialists. Among them are Konstantin and Martin.

Why Armytech is Unique

  • One of the last companies in Europe providing historic tank engine overhaul services
  • Inherited knowledge from German engineers and Czech manufacturers (Praga, Tatra, CKD)
  • Access to original materials from the WWII era (Sudetenland and Protektorat Böhmen und Mähren)
  • 50,000 km or 5 years warranty on restored engines – confidence in our work, depending on the engine model
  • Worldwide reputation among collectors, museums, and enthusiasts
  • Preserving knowledge through our engine museum for future generations

With one of the largest specialized engine overhaul machine parks in the Czech Republic and machines overhauled to 1/1000 mm precision, Armytech is a leading authority in historic engine restoration.

Continue the Legacy

Ready to restore your historic engine with the same expertise that has powered champions for over 50 years?

Get In Touch