Škoda is celebrating several anniversaries in 2017. From victories that date back decades, to factories that have been active for a long time, to models that are celebrating a milestone birthday this year.
The Škoda 130 RS at the Monte Carlo Rally
40 years ago - on Friday, January 28, 1977 - the Škoda 130 RS of the works duo Václav Blahna/Lubislav Hlávka won the under 1,300 cc class at the Monte Carlo Rally. In the overall standings, the fast coupé took 12th and 15th place respectively against many larger and more powerful rivals. In Škoda's 116-year motorsport commitment, the predecessor of the current Škoda Fabia R5 has thus written one of the most glorious chapters.
60 years of the Škoda 450
Production of the Škoda 450 open-top car - the predecessor of the better-known Škoda Felicia - started at the Kvasiny plant in September 1957. The four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1,089 cm3 and an output of 50 hp made the attractive Škoda 450 up to 128 km/h fast. A total of 1,010 of these vehicles were built, around two thirds of them for foreign customers.
The Škoda Favorit - world premiere 30 years ago
With the Škoda Favorit, the development team of the then Czechoslovak car manufacturer delivered proof of its skill and commitment in the difficult final years of the socialist era. The compact car, designed by Italian studio Bertone, rolled off the production line with a transverse front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive - an important step for the brand.
In terms of concept, design and handling, the Škoda Favorit stood up to comparison with its Western competitors, although it was one of the few cars in the so-called Eastern Bloc that was not built under license.
The Škoda Favorit made its debut on September 16, 1987 at the International Engineering Fair in Brno. The hatchback model rolled out to customers from 1988; two years later, the Škoda Forman estate was added, followed by light commercial vehicle derivatives and leisure vehicles. Even electric vehicles were derived from the Škoda Favorit. By 1995, 1,077,126 vehicles of the Favorit/Forman series had been produced.
70 years of Škoda production in Eastern Bohemia
The tradition of automobile production in Kvasiny dates back to 1934. The first Škoda vehicle built there was the prestigious Škoda Superb in October 1947. Many successful models followed, including the Škoda Felicia roadster (1959 to 1964), the Škoda 110 R Coupé (1970 to 1980) and the Škoda pick-up as well as the Caddy pick-up from Volkswagen (1995 to 2001). The Kvasiny plant currently produces the Škoda Superb, Superb Combi, Yeti and Kodiaq models.
60 years of the Škoda 1100 OHC
In December 1957, Škoda surprised motorsport fans with two streamlined Škoda 1100 OHC roadsters. They impressed with an elegant and lightweight GRP body, a steel trellis frame and an engine that featured solutions such as two overhead camshafts and dual ignition. The four-cylinder engine produced 92 hp at 7,700 rpm from a displacement of 1,089 cc with the help of two twin carburetors. The roadster weighed just 550 kilograms without the crew and had a top speed of 190 to 200 km/h.
