These were so underrated. The Skoda dealer in Brackley Northants did a few modified versions (head, cam, carb) and we used to set them up on the dyno. 75-80 bhp was the result and a well driven example was surprisingly brisk. Very solidly built and fun to drive.
I had a couple of them back in the day, mine had the gear lever cut down which made the gear change feel a lot better. I thrashed them about everwhere and had great fun in them. I put a big exhaust on my last one that was really loud and slay flames out the back, people could hear me from miles away!
My brother's first car was an A reg 120 Rapid, I got to drive it quite a lot as we lived in the same house at the time we both loved it and drove it everywhere and in all weather conditions, it only broke down once due to a perished water hose, it had 29000 miles on it when he bought it and almost 100000 miles when he sold it, great car.
Original Carbs were 'Jikov', which I think were a subsidiary of Pierburg, however the Weber would bolt straight on. Sound better with the sport exhaust on them, pipe curled round, Cherry Bomb behind the rear panel leading to a short tailpipe on offside. Drove them back in the day, never had an issue with gearchange. The Estelle was Lombard RAC Rally winners in it's class for many years running.
There were plenty of people loved these, its just that they became the butt of jokes thanks to the like ofJasper Carrot and other comedians of the time. Yes, they were basic, but they really weren't that bad and, barring the block warping, they were pretty reliable. They actually did really well in rallying too, presumably the traction benefits of the mechanical layout helping them to punch beyond their weight. I really like them👍 Does remind me of being at technical college in the late 80's though, when I had a Lada 1600 and a friend had a Skoda Estelle😁
I owned one (1985 model) on the Canadian Prairies in the 1990s. Its heater could not keep up. I later learned that the radiator at the front could be isolated using valves in the coolant lines so that the coolant went only through the heater core. That would have made a big difference. My wife hated it so I had my mechanic donate it to a single mother with a very modest income as soon as we could afford something better. I did love driving it. It would cruise at 130 km/h all day, and it was great in snow.
My grandfather bought his first Skoda in 1974 and stuck with the brand ever since. His final Skoda was one of these and I occasionally got to drive it as a 17 year old. The Rapid has restricted headroom and at 6'2" it was really awkward fit in as there was nowhere for my head. Not a problem I had with the Estelles. The skill with these was momentum. I found that there was a knack to getting them to go fast which was all to do with avoiding the brakes and keeping the engine in its sweet spot. BTW The gears were awful when they were new.
Skoda’s models were always quite desirable in the Eastern block and the Czechs were great at engineering, just consider the Tatra! I’ve never seen this generation and shape of a coupe before, though.
Very nice - I had two Skoda 120Ls (the saloon version) in the 90s and they took me all over Europe for work - they were certainly quirky and a bit old fashioned, lacking power, but surprisingly solid and reliable. I did try to find a Rapid and test drove a couple of them in the mid 90s. But both had been mistreated, presumably by 'poverty spec boy racers' and left in bad condition so I gave up and upgraded to a Favorit instead. I did finally get a Skoda Rapid SE 1.2 in 2021 (a modern one) and am very happy with it. But I still dream of owning a 1980s version - the car I wanted, but never had.
I had a yellow Skoda S110R (the forerunner of the Rapid). It was very very well built, very well equipped and if you were sensible, it was a great car to drive. A baby 911 and I'd love another one.
Yes I have had maybe 4 or 5 of them including a 136 Lux Cabriolet and 135 RAPID. Fun cars when I was a kid. Cornered really well and also good 4 piston brakes. I would love a White Rapid Sport!
My Skoda Felicia had the same engine (the 136). Didn’t set the world on fire, but moved very nicely. Never understood why people joked about the performance! Best fun I had was overtaking Mercedes Benz’s on the motorway, they wouldn’t have it, so overtook me back, and that continued!
I had a 1988 130GL saloon from new. I found it to be one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven. It was such fun to drive, but the gearbox was bad....i passed my driving test in my dad's Maxi, so I was used to iccy gearchanges! I miss it 😬
I have one running a Nova GSI engine and I love the gearbox it's really tight and precise on mine. Possibly the cables need setting up on this one you drove.
had one of these in the early 90's, so much fun in it, with the exception of driving at speed on the M1 motorway in the wind..... a few bags of cement up front cured that 🙂
I bought a 4 door 1200 for £25 with a blown engine I fitted the 130 engine which came out of a sport it would do 100mph as it had sport conversion on the engine looks on people's faces when I overtook them. I had the chance of the adapter plate and engine mounts to fit the fiat twin cam engine but didn't do it wish I had a 😁
Someone around Stafford years ago had one of these and I'll bet it had one of these conversions cos it was mighty quick of the mark and certainly didn't sound like your ordinary Skoda.
Originally had twin exhaust tail pipes I owned several 130 136 and 135 as well a a cabro in black never had a break down did tens of thousands of miles the unlimited warranty covered break pads got to say they where a great student car
The dash controls are operable while wearing anti flash gloves. How many cylinders? I think it sounds great. It’s got similar power to a Suzuki GT750 two stroke triple, but weighs 3-4 times as much. I remember overtaking cars like these, when everything on the road had a great deal less power. If the alternative was walking, it’s for me! At least you had shelter from the wet and cold. I really like the owners stories. It’s rare to get so many from people who owned one or a closely related version or car. You know what, there’s affection in every one of them. A sense of happy times and fun having been had at a time when money was so scarce that we were grateful to have transport and there was scope to tinker with them without needing a host of tools or equipment. Me, I had motorcycles all through the early years when pals had knackered cars. You got transport for very little money on two wheels, like £100 bought me my first bike, a 71 Yamaha 125 twin stroker, which was a hoot. Stepped up to a 72 Yamaha 250 twin and made strenuous efforts to kill myself or get jailed in the attempt (failing at both, fortunately). I was skint all the time, sometimes having to choose between eating on Thursday night or putting a gallon or two of 2 star in the bike, so as to get to work and my tiny pay packet (in cash) on the Friday. “We were poor, but we was ‘appy”. I was, actually. I don’t remember worrying about anything except if it was going to rain tomorrow (yes) and looking forward to seeing my pals and girlfriend. Simple times have upsides. Would I go back to such a life, if I could? Probably not. Materially, life is incomparably better. Happier now? Honestly, no. Then again, I’ve mostly been an even keel kind of person. Thank you very much for reviewing this car. I found it one of the most affectionate bits of automotive looking back.
Bumpers in two pieces was convenient. When you had damage on one side only one half needed to be replaced. Cheaper repair. The seat upholstery isn’t original on this particular car. It came in beige or black fabric. Fabric was from a good quality. Only the color of the black upholstery faded to purple when exposed to the sun. Later versions had black fabric with white stripes. That was a weaker fabric. The middle sliding handle of the ventilation system was ment to add more or less fresh air into the cabin or totally close/block the air from outside. Thanks for your very enthusiastic presentation! Greetings from the Netherlands. By the way this car misses a lot of trims etc, makes it a bit shabby.
Actually, back in the 80s,this particular model was well liked by both Car magazine and Auto car - their front cover had the title "What costs £4000,handles like a Porsche and is more fun than a GTI"
You mention the convertible, did you know the convertible was actually a Rapid that had been imported and coachbuilt in UK? They were pretty much unique to UK. And the element in the sunshine roof is actually the radio aerial.
I bought the 1st black Skoda Rapid 130 coupe in 1988 in the UK cracking car and it was written off after 2 months when a twat pulled right in front of me and the insurance company could not get me a replacement black so had to settle for a white one with a sunroof great handling car reliable 1st one was E---OPY 2nd F439SAJ
There was a norther choice of car, the Wartburg which my father chosen to buy after my uncle brought his four him to look at my dad bought his a few weeks later brand new in orange it was a great car my dad eye sight started to fail so he gave the car to me I had it for a few years and took it to 150.000 miles with very little problems but the cost of fuel was getting higher and it was not now very fuel efficient, so I traded it in for a Vauxhall viva HC which rust away and was not now less reliable then the Wartburg my son-in-law has a Skoda superb estate 2.0L estate which is a great car
When these were current, the coupé, as you say, was quite rare. Most couldn't see the point of a sporty coupé from a real budget manufacturer. The saloons weren't seen as anything special. Bargain basement motoring that wasn't that well built and not that wonderful to drive. I get the nostalgi for them now and I would like to won one but back in the '80s, car technology was moving fast-ish and people were after the latest trends & developments in car design e.g. ABS, 4 valves/cylinder, FWD hatchback, fuel injection etc.
Offset pedals? Really? I've only ever "driven" one once and that was when I was pushed across the car park at work (engine was out for work). Unfortunately, I was pushed towards a wall and when I applied the brakes, nothing happened. It's amazing how loud a 5mph crash can be. Anyway, no damage, and I discovered afterwards that I'd been pressing the accelerator due to it's simply being in the "wrong" place. Have to say that the Rapid's looks have aged extremely well.
Had new one for 2 years and loved it. Spent an extra £500 on engine work to lessen the shame at traffic lights😂 Wanted a reliable work car that wasn't too showy for 5am starts and general run around. Do not recall the gears having that much throw and seats were cloth (nylon😂) Stood up to punishment but not an armoured vehicle entering the engine compartment when stationary.😮 Surprised it was repaired but it was, as was I. Flogged it soon after as business was doing great for a more useful Astra van for work and Astra Gte for pleasure. Loved the Skoda though
If yoh overheat them the block warps, so you have to get the block skimmed. That's why they have a reputation for blowing head gaskets, people just skimmed the head.
Cast iron yes. This aluminium one no. In many cases a failing fan switch caused this. Original switch failed often so no help with cooling in traffic jams from the fan… could have been prevented easily …
Could very well be. I overheated perfectly good engine once, and after changing the headgasket, it never was watertight. Luckily it drippled only outside, not into the combustion chamber.
The passenger mirror did not come with the base 136 only the deluxe - also only had am / fm radio instead of cassete etc !!! Same as Wartburg you can find the last of them with WW golf engines but never seen one in the UK !!!
In fact this Rapid is already heavily under the influence of VW. The first Rapids were much more basic like a Simca. So it is half a VW. The ass is a bit llike a GTV.
I bet it doesn’t! They never leak, and I bet it still opens and closes like it should. They were quality sunroofs with a build in antenna with excellent reception.
These were so underrated. The Skoda dealer in Brackley Northants did a few modified versions (head, cam, carb) and we used to set them up on the dyno. 75-80 bhp was the result and a well driven example was surprisingly brisk. Very solidly built and fun to drive.
I had a couple of them back in the day, mine had the gear lever cut down which made the gear change feel a lot better. I thrashed them about everwhere and had great fun in them. I put a big exhaust on my last one that was really loud and slay flames out the back, people could hear me from miles away!
My brother's first car was an A reg 120 Rapid, I got to drive it quite a lot as we lived in the same house at the time we both loved it and drove it everywhere and in all weather conditions, it only broke down once due to a perished water hose, it had 29000 miles on it when he bought it and almost 100000 miles when he sold it, great car.
❤ great story! Thanks for sharing.
Original Carbs were 'Jikov', which I think were a subsidiary of Pierburg, however the Weber would bolt straight on. Sound better with the sport exhaust on them, pipe curled round, Cherry Bomb behind the rear panel leading to a short tailpipe on offside.
Drove them back in the day, never had an issue with gearchange. The Estelle was Lombard RAC Rally winners in it's class for many years running.
There were plenty of people loved these, its just that they became the butt of jokes thanks to the like ofJasper Carrot and other comedians of the time. Yes, they were basic, but they really weren't that bad and, barring the block warping, they were pretty reliable. They actually did really well in rallying too, presumably the traction benefits of the mechanical layout helping them to punch beyond their weight. I really like them👍
Does remind me of being at technical college in the late 80's though, when I had a Lada 1600 and a friend had a Skoda Estelle😁
You know the true story. Well said.
I owned one (1985 model) on the Canadian Prairies in the 1990s. Its heater could not keep up. I later learned that the radiator at the front could be isolated using valves in the coolant lines so that the coolant went only through the heater core. That would have made a big difference. My wife hated it so I had my mechanic donate it to a single mother with a very modest income as soon as we could afford something better. I did love driving it. It would cruise at 130 km/h all day, and it was great in snow.
My grandfather bought his first Skoda in 1974 and stuck with the brand ever since. His final Skoda was one of these and I occasionally got to drive it as a 17 year old. The Rapid has restricted headroom and at 6'2" it was really awkward fit in as there was nowhere for my head. Not a problem I had with the Estelles. The skill with these was momentum. I found that there was a knack to getting them to go fast which was all to do with avoiding the brakes and keeping the engine in its sweet spot. BTW The gears were awful when they were new.
Skoda’s models were always quite desirable in the Eastern block and the Czechs were great at engineering, just consider the Tatra! I’ve never seen this generation and shape of a coupe before, though.
Very nice - I had two Skoda 120Ls (the saloon version) in the 90s and they took me all over Europe for work - they were certainly quirky and a bit old fashioned, lacking power, but surprisingly solid and reliable. I did try to find a Rapid and test drove a couple of them in the mid 90s. But both had been mistreated, presumably by 'poverty spec boy racers' and left in bad condition so I gave up and upgraded to a Favorit instead. I did finally get a Skoda Rapid SE 1.2 in 2021 (a modern one) and am very happy with it. But I still dream of owning a 1980s version - the car I wanted, but never had.
They are rare nowadays and expensive, but I hope you’ll find your 1982-1984 model!
Had a 130 in the 90s. Fun car. Banham car's used to do a kit to convert it to a Porsche 550 spider.
I had a yellow Skoda S110R (the forerunner of the Rapid). It was very very well built, very well equipped and if you were sensible, it was a great car to drive. A baby 911 and I'd love another one.
Yes I have had maybe 4 or 5 of them including a 136 Lux Cabriolet and 135 RAPID. Fun cars when I was a kid. Cornered really well and also good 4 piston brakes. I would love a White Rapid Sport!
My Skoda Felicia had the same engine (the 136). Didn’t set the world on fire, but moved very nicely. Never understood why people joked about the performance!
Best fun I had was overtaking Mercedes Benz’s on the motorway, they wouldn’t have it, so overtook me back, and that continued!
I had a 1988 130GL saloon from new. I found it to be one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven. It was such fun to drive, but the gearbox was bad....i passed my driving test in my dad's Maxi, so I was used to iccy gearchanges!
I miss it 😬
i had the ESTTLE 120 and put 150,000 on it loved it wish i still had it
I have one running a Nova GSI engine and I love the gearbox it's really tight and precise on mine. Possibly the cables need setting up on this one you drove.
Why did you think it wouldn't start? They always started, getting them to stop was the problem!
Not with the later ones they had 4 pot calipers as standard.
One of the motoring mags at the time actually called these heaps properly dangerous due to the comedy brakes and shit handling.
I liked these cars. From memory I think there was an adapter plate you could get to fit the Escort RS turbo engine in them
had one of these in the early 90's, so much fun in it, with the exception of driving at speed on the M1 motorway in the wind..... a few bags of cement up front cured that 🙂
amazing car! the wheels, the engine sound... just beautiful
I always thought the Rapid looked good but they got a lot of stick. A parr of automotive history worth saving
I had one in the day and they were brilliant in the snow with all that weight over the rear wheels.
Had 3 rapids 2 130s and 1 136. The handling and steering was excellent
I learnt to drive in one of these. I remember my dad saying if you can drive this then you can drive anything 🤣
My youngest is driving a reliant robin and I have said the same about that
I bought a 4 door 1200 for £25 with a blown engine I fitted the 130 engine which came out of a sport it would do 100mph as it had sport conversion on the engine looks on people's faces when I overtook them. I had the chance of the adapter plate and engine mounts to fit the fiat twin cam engine but didn't do it wish I had a 😁
Someone around Stafford years ago had one of these and I'll bet it had one of these conversions cos it was mighty quick of the mark and certainly didn't sound like your ordinary Skoda.
Originally had twin exhaust tail pipes I owned several 130 136 and 135 as well a a cabro in black never had a break down did tens of thousands of miles the unlimited warranty covered break pads got to say they where a great student car
The dash controls are operable while wearing anti flash gloves.
How many cylinders?
I think it sounds great. It’s got similar power to a Suzuki GT750 two stroke triple, but weighs 3-4 times as much. I remember overtaking cars like these, when everything on the road had a great deal less power.
If the alternative was walking, it’s for me! At least you had shelter from the wet and cold.
I really like the owners stories. It’s rare to get so many from people who owned one or a closely related version or car.
You know what, there’s affection in every one of them. A sense of happy times and fun having been had at a time when money was so scarce that we were grateful to have transport and there was scope to tinker with them without needing a host of tools or equipment.
Me, I had motorcycles all through the early years when pals had knackered cars. You got transport for very little money on two wheels, like £100 bought me my first bike, a 71 Yamaha 125 twin stroker, which was a hoot. Stepped up to a 72 Yamaha 250 twin and made strenuous efforts to kill myself or get jailed in the attempt (failing at both, fortunately). I was skint all the time, sometimes having to choose between eating on Thursday night or putting a gallon or two of 2 star in the bike, so as to get to work and my tiny pay packet (in cash) on the Friday.
“We were poor, but we was ‘appy”. I was, actually. I don’t remember worrying about anything except if it was going to rain tomorrow (yes) and looking forward to seeing my pals and girlfriend. Simple times have upsides.
Would I go back to such a life, if I could? Probably not. Materially, life is incomparably better. Happier now? Honestly, no. Then again, I’ve mostly been an even keel kind of person.
Thank you very much for reviewing this car. I found it one of the most affectionate bits of automotive looking back.
Bumpers in two pieces was convenient. When you had damage on one side only one half needed to be replaced. Cheaper repair. The seat upholstery isn’t original on this particular car. It came in beige or black fabric. Fabric was from a good quality. Only the color of the black upholstery faded to purple when exposed to the sun. Later versions had black fabric with white stripes. That was a weaker fabric. The middle sliding handle of the ventilation system was ment to add more or less fresh air into the cabin or totally close/block the air from outside. Thanks for your very enthusiastic presentation! Greetings from the Netherlands. By the way this car misses a lot of trims etc, makes it a bit shabby.
I had an Estelle 120. Slow, noisy & basic. But cheap as chips and surprisingly fun to drive. I admit that I miss it 😢
Actually, back in the 80s,this particular model was well liked by both Car magazine and Auto car - their front cover had the title "What costs £4000,handles like a Porsche and is more fun than a GTI"
That was my second new car i ever purchased it was good fun traded in my first new car for it which was a fiat panda 45 cl
That is very cool. To have bought one new.
Never owned a Skoda but certainly have a weakspot for these cars 🤠
You mention the convertible, did you know the convertible was actually a Rapid that had been imported and coachbuilt in UK? They were pretty much unique to UK. And the element in the sunshine roof is actually the radio aerial.
I bought the 1st black Skoda Rapid 130 coupe in 1988 in the UK cracking car and it was written off after 2 months when a twat pulled right in front of me and the insurance company could not get me a replacement black so had to settle for a white one with a sunroof great handling car reliable 1st one was E---OPY 2nd F439SAJ
There was a norther choice of car, the Wartburg which my father chosen to buy after my uncle brought his four him to look at my dad bought his a few weeks later brand new in orange it was a great car my dad eye sight started to fail so he gave the car to me I had it for a few years and took it to 150.000 miles with very little problems but the cost of fuel was getting higher and it was not now very fuel efficient, so I traded it in for a Vauxhall viva HC which rust away and was not now less reliable then the Wartburg my son-in-law has a Skoda superb estate 2.0L estate which is a great car
When these were current, the coupé, as you say, was quite rare. Most couldn't see the point of a sporty coupé from a real budget manufacturer.
The saloons weren't seen as anything special. Bargain basement motoring that wasn't that well built and not that wonderful to drive.
I get the nostalgi for them now and I would like to won one but back in the '80s, car technology was moving fast-ish and people were after the latest trends & developments in car design e.g. ABS, 4 valves/cylinder, FWD hatchback, fuel injection etc.
Offset pedals? Really? I've only ever "driven" one once and that was when I was pushed across the car park at work (engine was out for work). Unfortunately, I was pushed towards a wall and when I applied the brakes, nothing happened. It's amazing how loud a 5mph crash can be. Anyway, no damage, and I discovered afterwards that I'd been pressing the accelerator due to it's simply being in the "wrong" place. Have to say that the Rapid's looks have aged extremely well.
Back in the day, they were always driven by an old bloke with a flat cap. Usually crawling along aimlessly in front of you.
Or a family man looking for an affordable car that wasn’t a rust heap or someone elses trouble. Ie Me
Lovely car
I kinda like it.
Always did well in rallies
Gears were fine , yes long travel ,central sprung ie straight up from rest is 3rd.
Interesting
Had new one for 2 years and loved it. Spent an extra £500 on engine work to lessen the shame at traffic lights😂
Wanted a reliable work car that wasn't too showy for 5am starts and general run around.
Do not recall the gears having that much throw and seats were cloth (nylon😂)
Stood up to punishment but not an armoured vehicle entering the engine compartment when stationary.😮
Surprised it was repaired but it was, as was I. Flogged it soon after as business was doing great for a more useful Astra van for work and Astra Gte for pleasure.
Loved the Skoda though
If yoh overheat them the block warps, so you have to get the block skimmed. That's why they have a reputation for blowing head gaskets, people just skimmed the head.
The liners sink too and the iron head cracks on earlier cars it was easier to swap the engine
Cast iron yes. This aluminium one no. In many cases a failing fan switch caused this. Original switch failed often so no help with cooling in traffic jams from the fan… could have been prevented easily …
Could very well be. I overheated perfectly good engine once, and after changing the headgasket, it never was watertight. Luckily it drippled only outside, not into the combustion chamber.
Install a flatscreen and it'll be as modern as any Porsche.
The passenger mirror did not come with the base 136 only the deluxe - also only had am / fm radio instead of cassete etc !!! Same as Wartburg you can find the last of them with WW golf engines but never seen one in the UK !!!
Seat where fabric the where a black eith white striping centre not vinyl that car has covers on
the Zastava Yugo was also edgy and I think they sold it in the USA
the Fuso was much more a car from Eastern Europe and looked very edgy.
They had an optional heated rear window to keep your hands warm when pushing it.
tee hee
This joke is so old. And the came standard with a heated rear window.
Blakes 7 transporter sound effect?
Was the engineering based on the Renault Dauphine etc, or did I imagine that?
No Škoda’s own development. Czechs go way back with engineering. They still have a lot of knowledge.
I came across an exploded drawing of the Renault once and noticed how very similar the Skoda and Renault engine gear box layouts were.
In fact this Rapid is already heavily under the influence of VW. The first Rapids were much more basic like a Simca. So it is half a VW. The ass is a bit llike a GTV.
The earlier version was a nicer shape...
They were decent cars,they just didn't last very long. A lot of the materials used weren't very good.
I bet that sunroof leaks.
I bet it doesn’t! They never leak, and I bet it still opens and closes like it should. They were quality sunroofs with a build in antenna with excellent reception.
Škoda [shkoda].
👌🏻 that’s how you pronounce it yes!