Some Škoda models produced in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s became so popular with the customers that you can still encounter them on the roads (not only in the Czech Republic). They have become favourite cars for collectors and many Škoda fan club members around the world can boast of owning one.

But the time hasn’t stopped. So many of us are surprised that also the first generation of Fabia and Superb models, which we were used to see as the polished new cars in the Škoda dealer´s showrooms, have arrived in this group.


The second generation of the successful Octavia model received its premiere in March 2004 at the Geneva Motor Show. Since then, first generation cars have had the name Octavia Tour and have been in production since 1996 until today.The successor retained all the tried-and-tested benefits, in particular the elegant design, high quality of workmanship and excellent handling.

Although the Octavia model is on the border of the lower middle and middle class, the accessories have been augmented by elements previously used in higher class cars – e.g. two-zone air conditioning, air supply to the rear seats, active headrests integrated into the front seats and the system for controlling tyre pressure. Four airbags, ABS and a braking assistant are matters of course.


The Škoda Octavia Combi was presented to the public at the Paris International Motor Show in September 2004. The main point was not only the new exterior and interior design, but also the modern technology, greater degree of comfort and greater internal space (the luggage space was increased by 32 litres in comparison with the first generation).

Thanks to new technologies, passive security was enhanced and the car’s handling and aerodynamic properties also improved. Ingenious ergonomics, first-class materials and precise craftsmanship are evident in the interior. The same as the liftback version, the Octavia Combi was offered in accessory versions called Classic, Ambiente, Elegance, Laurin & Klement and RS, and 4x4 and Scout versions were added as well.


This flagship of the Škoda brand was presented at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in 2001 and its premiere drew spontaneous applause. The comeback for the historic name Superb prompted a great deal, Škoda aspired to the upper class. This luxury limousine evolved the traditional qualities of Škoda models – the interesting design, quality of production, ergonomics and safety – and it added number of clever technologies and comfort equipment elements.

Besides the imposing interior space, Škoda Superb could trot out many imaginative and useful details, including the passenger seat with footboard for the rear passenger or the umbrella in the WetCase integrated in the rear door.

The offer of Škoda models was enlarged by the Škoda Fabia in 1999. It was officially presented on 14th September 1999 at the 58th Frankfurt Motor Show. It was evident that its attractive design would ingratiate immediately. Thanks to the sufficient interior space, high level of active and passive safety and for its value for money Škoda Fabia proved that it belonged to the best in its class.

Since 2004 Škoda Fabia cars were produced with many important innovations. In the exterior the new front bumper and the new design of the rear lights were noticeable. Structure of the equipment versions was adjusted (the Comfort version was replaced with the Ambiente) and the offer of interiors was completely changed – since 2004 it included new colour schemes.

Škoda Fabia Combi was presented at first at the Paris motor show in 2000. As well as in the case of the hatchback version, the impressive design and the high level of safety were its advantages. Fabia Combi added the large luggage space, which provided an incredible 1225 litres when the rear seats were folded down.

Besides that Fabia Combi belonged to the vehicles with the biggest interior space in its class, it also offered three equipment levels, which could be combined with the wide range of optional extras. Every customer thus could get the car according to all his needs.

At the Geneva International Motor Show in February 2001 the third body version of Škoda Fabia was presented. It was sedan with the luggage space of 438 litres. Fabia model range became the only one in its class, which provided three body versions. Besides the four-door sedan with the classic three-dimensional arrangement, the five-door hatchback and the spacious combi were produced.

Škoda Fabia Sedan offered an attractive design, which supplied it the elegant character of a limousine and comfort in all respects. It has many components common to the other body versions – for example the engines and transmissions. The chassis and a better part of the interior were practically the same.

Škoda Fabia RS was derived from the hatchback version and its world premiere was held at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2003. Its design alone explicitly predicated upon being a sports model. For example the front bumper with the integrated spoiler was pushed forward and shaped in the style of the WRC cars. The interior of Fabia RS including sports seats with the typical lateral support and also many other elements of the sports equipment weren’t left out.

The powerful diesel engine with a displacement of 1,9 litre and the revolutionary technology of pump-jet injection was placed under the bonnet of Fabia RS. In combination with a 6-speed transmission, the powerful drive and also the higher fuel economy were ensured.

Since 2002 the Škoda Auto Company also offered the commercial version based on the Fabia Combi vehicle. It thereby continuously resumed the production of the light utility vehicles Škoda Pickup. Škoda Fabia Praktik is characterized by well-designed cargo space with the loading area of 1820 cm2, by many clever details and very good driving properties.

The main accent was put on practicality and spaciousness. Space for the crew was separated by a dividing wall and the floor of cargo space was equipped with an anti-slip surface and fixing rings. The indisputable advantage of Škoda Fabia Praktik was also the fact that it provided the comfort of a private car to the driver and passenger.

The Škoda Felicia was the first all-new model that was developed after the link-up between Škoda and the German VW group. It was premiered on Charles Bridge in Prague, in October 1994. Three cars in the colours of the tricolour were christened with water from the Vltava by the Mayor of Prague.

The car, whose name refers to the long tradition of car manufacturing in Mladá Boleslav (the Škoda Felicia, type 994, was produced at the start of the 1960s), went into mass production in 1994. The Škoda Felicia brought not only changes that were visible at first glance, such as modern, rounded shapes and a pleasant interior, but the car made the qualitative shift generally evident.


The Škoda Felicia Combi was presented to the public at the car show in Brno (Czech Republic) in June 1995, less than a year after the Felicia hatchback. The automaker offered a wide range of accessories for an extra charge for Felicia models, which was not that usual  then (e.g. airbags for driver and front passenger, ABS, air conditioning, electrically heated front seats, etc.).

Starting in 1998, the Felicia and the Felicia Combi were produced with a slightly altered chassis, and the new radiator mask was the most apparent visual change.

The Pickup went into production in August 1995. This light utility vehicle based on the Škoda Felicia offered a loading area of 2015 cm2 and a higher utility weight (605 kg), thanks to the strengthened rear axle.

Škoda also manufactured the Felicia Fun model, which is best characterised as a leisure time vehicle. If required, the two-seater vehicle with an open bed can be changed into a four-seater by moving the rear wall of the cab.

The Škoda Favorit was the first Škoda model with the engine in the front and a front driven axle. The Favorit had its premiere in July 1987 and was produced together with the 105, 120 and 130 models until 1990. It was a hatchback and had a basic engine with a volume of 1289 cc.

Due to stricter emissions limits, Favorits with variously modified engines started to appear on the market, first with a unmanaged and then with an managed catalytic converter. The automaker offered a number of limited series - action models  with extra features (Black Line, Silver Line, Green Line, etc.).

The five-door Škoda Forman estate was (the same as the Škoda Pick-up utility version) derived from basic version of the Škoda Favorit.

The automaker also offered a range of special models  with extra features (Black Line, Silver Line, Green Line, etc.), but the series was always limited to just a few hundred cars.

The Škoda Pick-up was produced together with the Škoda Favorit and Škoda Forman models  from 1991. The two-seater light utility version was produced as standard with a 1289 cc engine and was equipped with a laminated, canvas or metal cover for the loading space.

The production of the Škoda Pick-up model series enriched the contemporary market with a type of utility vehicle that had been missing for a long time and in which there was immediate interest.

The Škoda 130 appeared in 1984 – the year the Škoda 120 and 105 were modernised. In addition to all the improvements from the previous models, the Škoda 130 obtained a five-speed gearbox, towed rear axle and, primarily, a more powerful 1289 cc engine.

The 743 type, a two-door coupe derived from the 742, was produced from 1981 in the plant in Kvasiny under the Garde name, and was later (after the introduction of improvements from the Škoda 130 model) renamed the Rapid.

After May 1982, the Garde was also assembled in Bratislava car plants – becoming the first mass-produced car in Slovakia.


The Škoda 105 with a 1046 cc engine and the Škoda 120 with a 1174 cc engine were the two basic models of what was known in-house as the 742. It was produced in various versions and changed over the course of the years.

These changes did not only affect the chassis. From 1983, the 742 was produced, for example, with wider wheel spacing, rack-and-pinion steering, thirteen-inch wheels, plastic bumpers and other modernised elements.


The Škoda 120 was launched in the former Czechoslovakia in 1976 at a fair in Brno and came with a number of new design features – despite the fact that it retained the design with the engine in the rear and rear-wheel drive, which was no longer promising.

The Škoda 120 could boast a quite new chassis and interior, including the dashboard. There were also additional passive and active safety elements. The method of opening the bonnet for the luggage space – from the side like a concert piano – was also unique.