The first Škoda post-war model 'made in Mladá Boleslav' was the Škoda 1101 in spring 1946, which soon became known as the 'Tudor' due to its two-door, closed body. The vehicle was characterized by its reliability, fuel efficiency and comfort and was a success in more than 70 countries. The Škoda Museum is dedicating a special exhibition to this legendary model from January 20 to May 21, 2026.
The very first production model of the Škoda 1101 rolled off the production line at the Mladá Boleslav plant on Monday, May 6, 1946. It followed the successful Rapid and Popular models, which had caused a production and sales boom at Škoda at the end of the 1930s. In the difficult post-war period, the 1101 impressed with its robust construction, reliability, low running costs and driving comfort even on poor roads. It found customers in Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.
Modern design and many variants
The Škoda 1101, a four-seater two-door saloon with a length of just over four meters, had a tubular frame chassis with independent suspension on all wheels. It was powered by a 1089 cc OHV four-cylinder engine with 32 hp (23.6 kW). It reached a top speed of 100 km/h and consumed an average of 8.0 l/100 km - very economical for its time.
The modernized 1102 was produced from 1948. In addition to a different radiator grille and bumpers, it offered an optional four-speed gearshift on the steering column instead of the floor-mounted lever. By 1952, when production of the Škoda 1101/1102 was discontinued, a total of 66,904 civilian vehicles had been built. In addition to the most common two-door body shape, there were other versions, including a four-door saloon, an elegant roadster and the Tudor convertible with a retractable soft top. The universal design also made practical delivery vans, ambulances and estate models possible. In addition, more than four thousand derivatives were developed for security forces, which were designated Škoda 1101 VO (military open) and Škoda 1101 P (emergency).
Success on global markets and in motorsport
More than 65 percent of the Škoda 1101/1102 were exported. By 1951, they had been sold in 76 countries, with Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and West Germany among the most important markets. The Tudor also reached more distant countries such as Australia, Canada, India, Morocco, Kenya and South Africa.
