Skoda

CS, 1923 to date

(1) Akc. Spol. Drive Skodovy zavody, Plzen (Pilsen); Mlada Boleslav, 1923 – 1945

(2) Skoda np, Mlaa Boleslav, 1945 to date

Skoda was one of the most important industrial concerns of the Austro-Hungarian empire. After World War 1 it was included in the territory of the new Czechoslovak republic. The Skoda company branched out into car production, building Hispano-Suizas under licence. The first of these Skoda cars appeared in about 1923. The engine of the Skoda car was the 37.2hp 6-cylinder 6.6-litre, while the bodies were of Skoda’s own design. Production of Skoda cars was in the Skoda car works at Pilsen. In 1925 Skoda cars took over the Laurin & Klement works at Mlada Boleslav, and production of private cars under the Skoda car name began in this factory. The first Skoda cars were based on earlier Laurin-Klement designs. For the next few years the range of Skoda cars included various 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder models Skoda cars of conventional design. More advanced ideas were introduced with the Skoda 420 model in 1933. The engine of the Skoda car was a 995cc unit developing 20bhp, the chassis was on Tatra lines with a centre tubular layout and rear swing half-axles. The 420 Skoda car ushered in the 1930s range of Skoda cars with which Skoda became famous. The Skoda 420 developed into the Skoda Popular and the same technical features were to be found in the 4-cylinder Skoda Rapid (1.380cc and 22bhp) and the 6-cylinder Skoda Superb(2.480cc and 50bhp). Model 932 was an experimental Skoda car with rear engine. The Skoda Popular also appeared with a streamlined coupé body and this Skoda carwas quite successful in a number of sporting events, including the Monte Carlo Rally. All Skoda car models gradually increased capacity and output, and changed from side to overhead valves. The range of Skoda cars was supplemented by the 1.8-litre Skoda Favorit and the Skoda Monte Carlo with a Popular chassis and Rapid engine. In 1939 the Skoda car range consisted of four types, the most important Skoda car being the 1100 OHV (1.089cc and 32bhp) and the 6-cylinder, 3.140cc 85bhp model.

After World War 2, the Skoda 1100 OHV and 1200 OHV – based on pre-war designs –appeared, and these Skoda cars were developed into the well-known 40 or 50bhp Skoda Octavia with a capacity of 1.089cc, the Skoda Octavia Super (1.221cc and 45bhp) and the Skoda Felicia, a two-seater Octavia version with a 50bhp engine. The Skoda Octavia/ Felicia range was discontinued, with the exception of the station wagon Skoda cars, after the introduction of the Skoda 1000MB (MB for Mlada Boleslav) in 1964, a rear-engined 988cc 40bhp Skoda car. The Skoda Octavia wagons were discontinued in 1969, and a year later came a new version of the 1000MB Skoda car, the Skoda S110 with 1.107cc engine and disc front brakes. Even faster was the S110R coupé Skoda carof 1971. The 1972 Skoda car range embraced variations on the basic rear-engined theme with 48bhp, 53bhp and 62bhp power units. Disc front brakes were standard on Skoda car.

Skoda cars are now built as part of the Volkswagen AG group.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; HON

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