Kick-off to the 125th anniversary celebrations of Škoda Motorsport
At the jubilee 50th edition of Rétromobile, Škoda Auto is marking 125 years of motorsport with an exhibition in Hall 7, covering an area of more than 300 m². In collaboration with Škoda France, the Mladá Boleslav-based carmaker has sent eight exhibits from the Škoda Museum to Paris, complemented by two contemporary cars.
From two-wheeled beginnings to the electric future
A 1903 Laurin & Klement BZ motorcycle represents the very beginnings of motorsport in Mladá Boleslav. The collection also includes seven historic automobiles that have left a mark on motorsport: the Škoda Popular Sport Coupé ‘Malá Dohoda’ (1937), Škoda 1100 OHC (1957), Škoda 130 RS (1976), Škoda Favorit 136 L/H (1991), Škoda Octavia RS (2002), Škoda Fabia WRC (2007) in an unusual cutaway concept, and the Škoda Fabia R5 Combi show car (2015). The historic vehicles are complemented by the Škoda Enyaq RS Race concept and the recently introduced Škoda Fabia 130.
Jubilee Rétromobile – a celebration of automotive history
The Paris Rétromobile exhibition ranks among the most prestigious events of its kind worldwide, attracting approximately 130,000 visitors each year. Škoda Auto regularly takes part in this celebration of automotive history and, as one of the carmakers with the longest traditions in the world, commemorates significant milestones and anniversaries from its rich heritage. This year’s jubilee 50th edition of Rétromobile runs at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition grounds until Sunday, 1 February.
Detailed descriptions of the exhibited historic models
Laurin & Klement BZ (1903)
This single-cylinder ‘motocyclette’ was powered by an engine with a displacement of 331 cm³ and reached a top speed of up to 60 km/h.
Škoda Popular Sport Coupé ‘Malá Dohoda’ (1937)
The sports coupé from the Škoda Popular model family is one of three cars that took part in the ‘Malá Dohoda’ (Little Entente) Rally. The crew of Jaroslav Horák/Jaroslav Netušil finished 7th overall and 2nd in the team classification.
Škoda 1100 OHC (1957)
This racing car, developed in 1956–1957, is built on a tubular chassis and features a fibreglass body. Two open-top examples debuted in 1958 on the city circuit in Mladá Boleslav and competed in various races until 1963.
Škoda 130 RS (1976)
One of the icons of Škoda’s sporting history, produced between 1975 and 1980, with approximately 300 units built in total. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the ‘ereso’ (a common nickname for RS models) was among Europe’s most successful rally and circuit racing cars, including a victory at the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally.
Škoda Favorit 136 L/H (1991)
Alongside the introduction of the Favorit model in 1989, development of its racing version was already under way, with participation in rallies, circuit races and hill climbs. The exhibited example notably competed in the Veedol Cup at the Nürburgring, where it raced until 1992.
Škoda Octavia RS (2002)
At the time, Škoda’s fastest production model was powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 180 hp, enabling a top speed of 235 km/h. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Škoda Motorsport, a limited series of 100 units with a specific design was created.
Škoda Fabia WRC – ‘Cut Car’ (2007)
After entering the top rally category with the Octavia WRC in 1999, the Škoda Fabia WRC represented the brand from 2003 to 2005. The cutaway ‘Cut Car’ version from 2007 was created for a promotional film and joined the museum’s collection in 2014.
Škoda Fabia R5 Combi (2015)
The Škoda Fabia R5 continued the motorsport success story from 2015. For the legendary GTI meeting at Lake Wörthersee, designers prepared this show car in May 2015, reinterpreting the racing car as a combi (estate/wagon) body version.