Škoda Garde; Rapid (Type 743, 747)


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.

Product range: Škoda Garde; Rapid; Rapid 130 (Type 743); Škoda 135 Rapid; 136 Rapid (747)
Manufacturing period: 1981 – 1990
Number produced: 44 634
Characteristics: passenger car; rear axle drive

Engine: 4-stroke; spark ignition; liquid cooling; 4 cylinders in line; OHV; lengthwise behind the rear axle
Displacement: 1174 ccm (Garde; Rapid); 1289 ccm (Rapid 130; 135 Rapid; 136 Rapid)
Power: 40.5 kw at 5200 rpm (Garde; Rapid); 43 kW at 5000 rpm (Rapid 130; 135 Rapid); 46 kW at 5000 rpm (136 Rapid)
Torque: 85.5 Nm at 3250 rpm (Garde; Rapid); 94 Nm at 3250 rpm (135 Rapid); 97 Nm at 2800 rpm (Rapid 130); 100 Nm at 3000 rpm (136 Rapid)
Transmission: in block with engine; arranged lengthwise


Speed: 150 km/h
Acceleration: 18 sec. (Garde; Rapid); 17 sec. (Rapid 130); 15 sec. (135 Rapid); 14 sec. (136 Rapid)
Fuel Consumption: 6.5 - 9.7 litres per 100 km (120; 120 L; 120 LE; 120 GL); 5.8 - 8.9 litres per 100 km (Rapid 130); 5.7 - 8.9 litres per 100 km (135 Rapid; 136 Rapid)


Chassis: frameless structure
Dimensions: Skoda Garde: 4175 x 1610 x 1400 mm; Skoda Rapid: 4200 x 1610 x 1380 mm
Weigh: empty weight according to type and model 855 to 915 kg
Body: integral metal; closed; four-seat; coupé


Note: it was modified several times during its production cycle; 11,179 Skoda Garde manufactured; 130 - 22,475 Skoda Rapid cars manufactured; 1,272 Skoda 135 Rapid cars; 9,708 cars Škoda 136 Rapid