Jon Searles

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Posted: 09 Dec 2023


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car
show
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Czech Republic
Bohemia
Josefuv Dul
Nokia 301
Liberecky kraj
Skoda 100


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Skoda 100 at Josefuv Dul Car Show, Liberecky kraj, Bohemia(CZ), 2015

Skoda 100 at Josefuv Dul Car Show, Liberecky kraj, Bohemia(CZ), 2015
As mentioned in my caption for the Skoda 1000MB, the 1000MB was replaced in Skoda's lineup in 1970 by the 100, seen here. The 100 was very (visibly) similar to the 1000MB, but incorporated a number of improvements, and was sold more extensively in the West, a trend that was to continue over the years regardless of politics, at least in Europe.

The 100 was so-named in reference to its 1.0L I-4 engine, and in fact it was also possible to order a 110 model, that came with a 1.1L I-4. These engines, like their predecessors on the 1000MB and 1100MB, were air-cooled, and mounted in a rear/rear layout. The physical appearance of these cars, perhaps as a consequence, resembles that of later Chevy Corvairs, which were exactly contemporary with them.

In an unusual development for a Communist-run company, two race versions were also built, these being the 120S and the 130RS, both of which are understandably rare today, and easy to confuse with later models due to the numbering. These cars are actually fast by Communist standards, being capable of 7-second 0-60 times (and in all likelihood, they were even faster once prepped for racing).

While Skoda 100 production ended in 1977, the 110R coupe survived until 1980. All other cars built in the 100 series were actually sedans, with the exception of the 130RS, which used the same coupe body (more or less) as the 110R.

In any case, to make a long story short, when the 100 was exported to Western countries, it often got bad reviews for both performance and handling. However, as with the 1000MB, these cars have enjoyed much longer lifespans than most cars (at least from a Western perspective). Although they're not as common as they used to be, in the Czech Republic they can still be found in regular use from time to time. I'm not clear on how many Chevy Corvairs you would still see as daily drivers, by comparison.

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