Among experts the name „Walter“ in connection with the former Austro-Hungarian Empire – before the dawn of the 20th century – stands for outstanding pioneering spirit and innovation.

Mainspring behind the company Walter was Josef Walter, who was born in 1873. In 1901 Walter already originated his own motor-bike production. During the time before World War I he was already convinced that automobiles would play a major role in future. So he charged his in-house constructors to create a passenger car at the main plant in Zatlance. After achieving Walters target they started a series of tests which all went very well.

Due to Walters principle to employ only highly qualified staff it was possible to develop an adequate vehicle out of the test car in a short time. Spurred by the quick progress Walters management announced the start of production in 1913. Due to a running production during World War I the company was able to continue its vehicle making without any restrictions in the years after war. Short after World War I they offered a sports car with highly technical acquirements. Especially the engine with its displacement of 1.544 cc, 20 HP and its overhead valve timing got much attention in the young scene. Remarkable was here the configuration of the stroke-bore-ratio with 120 mm x 64 mm – an extremely long dimensioned stroke. Responsible for a balanced temperature of the 2-cylinder engine was a liquid cooling. Leading for this modern design was Ing. Zubatý. He was appreciated with the symbol “Z” in the type designation of the car

The Walter-Zubatý 1500 – short WZ 1500 – was published in 1921. It built the foundation for the following high-performance engines which are known as WIZ respectively WIZI in Walters corporate history.