Irregular Car Review: Steve's 1986 Skoda 105L

Here we have another cool addition to the garage fleet: Steve's 1986 Skoda 105L. Steve is one of my shop mates who specializes in eccentric European RADWOOD. This one brings the count of 1986 vehicles in our shop to 4. This one came from "Bring a Trailer" and is the only Skoda I have seen in the US, in person. We now have a series of Irregular Car Reviews to contrast the RCR channel.

[@Strix06]

This is my first car lol. Exact same colour as well. I am 21 years old and from the Netherlands and never expected this to be my first. Got it from someone I know, cuz he planned on scrapping it. Got it for free instead and having it fixed right now. Really can't wait to drive it. It has been sitting for 20 years in a garage and is in immaculate condition. Thank you for this video allowing me to have some fun beforehand, lol.

[@tr3wrench]

We didn't see many of these in the US. Thanks for watching.

[@sgtvoro]

4:19 - the caps are held by the double chamfer on the bolts. If you install the caps without the bolts and then put the bolts on, it will stay in place.

[@tr3wrench]

Thanks for that! Car gone now but passing along to new owner.

[@gord307]

Hello from the UK! Nice to see that you have found an old Skoda. These were quite common in the UK at the time, but have become quite rare these days, mainly down to low values making the cars uneconomical to repair.
A few thoughts for you, as I have owned several of these over the years: That is the original seat fabric, and it doesn't usually last that long! Higher spec models had more long lasting fabric.
The original carburettors are very good, but the 'O' seals on the mixture and air screws need replacing from time to time. Also, the gasket the carburettor sits on can disintegrate in modern fuel, causing the jets in the carb to block up - it is best to replace this gasket with one made from modern gasket paper.
Make sure the coolant mixture is good, and never try to run the car with just water as it will boil. As mentioned in one of the comments below, there is a small valve under the hood (front) to bleed the cooling system (turn the heater on when you do this) - and worry if you can't get warm air from the heater!
All the best to you, and I hope you have lots of fun with this car. Gord 👍

[@tr3wrench]

Hey thanks for all the tips and for watching!

[@top4runner99]

Didn’t expect it to open up side ways! Never seen a car with a hood with that type of a hinge, also those taillights are cool looking! Thanks for showing it

[@tr3wrench]

Yep a surprise to me too. Thanks for watching!

[@frglee]

I had two of these (albeit the 120L versions) in the early 90s and took them all over Europe on trips. Quite popular as a cheap car in the UK, though the butt of many jokes. Even so, these were very reliable, economical and simple cars, if a tad quirky and underpowered, with somewhat odd handling in crosswinds (use a sandbag in the front boot!). The model has great history of rallying, too - winning its class year after year in the RAC Rallies back in the day. I would love one as a hobbyist classic car, but good examples are rare and quite expensive these days in the UK. Skoda (under VAG) now make some of the finest cars on the planet.

[@jarekwawer9087]

No i pięknie Skoda na tablicach rejestracyjnych z Polski,gratuluje(Nice Car)

[@tr3wrench]

Dzięki za oglądanie!

[@johnmunro4952]

My first car ( in ....94 I think) was a 120L . It was almost exactly this colour too! It was an 86.

[@tr3wrench]

This was the first one I laid eyes on in person. We had fun with it and it got passed on to an enthusiast

[@christophercutajar4020]

I have a 130lse that has more extras love them simple to fix and a lot of fun for a car that goes slow 😁

[@tr3wrench]

We had a blast with this one. Eyes open for another

[@Stunter999999]

Polska! Fajna Skodzina ;) Mój Tata miał taką.

[@MrSkoda105s]

Super nice Škoda you have there. For me this car is so familiar. Great to see you searching for handles and levers. 😃 under the bonnet there is a small crane to bleed the cooling system in case it’s needed. (Heard you talking about the cooling system) make sure to check if the cooling sensor in the radiator works, to prevent it from overheating. I wish you a lot of fun with this Škoda. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@tr3wrench]

Hey thanks for the tips on the cooling system and thanks for watching!

[@KULALAN]

This is the base model. The Škoda 136 gl model has a better engine, better equipment,...
The fire extinguisher is there, because it is mandatory in every car in Poland.
Otherwise nice work!

[@tr3wrench]

Thanks for the details and thanks for watching!

[@vladakolarevic4675]

Good car👍👍 👋🇷🇸

[@tr3wrench]

Thanks! this was fun one to explore.

[@patrickmchugh8651]

I want a Skoda. No particular reason.

[@tr3wrench]

You think you want it now, but wait until you drive it.

[@loekie1707]

I hate it when these beautiful cars disappear in garages as toys for the greedy. Its a CAR made to drive so let me buy it and put it to work

[@tr3wrench]

This one went to an enthusiast. Still out there!