70s/80s Rear Engine Skodas- How terrible?

[Classic Grad 98]

As per the question really. A reader's cars thread has reminded me how weirdly fond I was of a friend's old Felicia- especially the rubbish but characterful pushrod engine... Maybe one of these in a wayward R/R layout could be an entertaining, unusual cheap classic?

[Negative Creep]

I don't care how bad they are, I'd fecking love one. Prices are starting to creep up though, they aren't the throwaway items they once were.......

[Classic Grad 98]

Does that mean I'm not some kind of deviant... No-one in real world land seems to understand
Are they as challenging to drive as they are made out to be I wonder? Do hope so... So long as the steering isn't too loose/vague, I can see this developing into a proper fascination...

[sday12]

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=162&i=207...
Ex shed.



What about a Rapide?

Edited by sday12 on Monday 26th December 21:04

[Rubin215]

There is a thriving scene for them in the Czech Republic where they were built, including bog standard originals and wild customs.

Plenty of parts available, plenty of old cars still dotting about that people have owned for years, plenty of sheds needing restored.

50's and 60's cars are highly desirable, and actually better designed and built than British cars of the same era.

[davepoth]

Very late ones will take the 1.4 injection engine from the first FWD Skoda (felicia?). handling is like a 911, but cheaper.

[Garlick]

My mate had a Rapide Coupe and it was, quite frankly, brilliant.

[vrooom]

I love the skoda like this, My dad has rapide in that orange colour when i was a nipper...

[Eggman]

I remember them being surprisingly good to drive - a bit basic maybe, but in no way unpleasant. The 130 Rapid even felt reasonably quick.

Some came with little round instruments, which I liked to imagine were from a shared parts bin with something military or agricultural.

[mattrosersv]

I had a 136 Rapid as a first car. Was much more fun than my mates fiestas and metros.

Easy to hang the tail out, however sadly youthful ttishness and.a cold damp road resilted in the thing ending up upside down. In fairness to the car it held up pretty well and 3 of us got out without a scratch.

If one came my way now I would probably have it for old times sake.

Off to take a look on ebay.....

[Classic Grad 98]

Mmm Rapide... With birdbath spoiler and 13" minilites and 165 tyres. Sounds like it should be so entertaining and for so little cash. And that sound of the raspy old-tech engine and minimal silencing.
I wonder if this old Fifth gear started it...
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=...

[CDP]

I had a tweaked Estelle with hi lift cam, solid rockers, Weber carb' and sports exhaust. I don't know the power output but it would happily run to 8,000 rpm. With 185 section tyres it handled quite nicely and those engines aren't that heavy.

Due to excellent traction it could leave XR3s for dead at the lights and cruise at well over a lepton - with 6,500rpm on the dial. On long journeys the noise could get a little wearing...

[Classic Grad 98]

CDP- was that Estelle a four-speed then?
Can you get any parts over here or is it a case of going to Czech-land?

[sjabrown]

There's a guy up here (Highlands) that still rallies one in the forests. Often picks up the class prize. Think he's got several more in varying states for spares. Other than his rally car the only others that I've seen in recent times were on a tour here from Eastern europe - bizarrely it was the reverse of the banger rallies that leave this country!!

Edited by sjabrown on Monday 26th December 23:37

[Eggman]

They were reasonably popular with rally enthusiasts and remain so with classic triallists, so I would expect camshafts and so on to be available from the usual suspects (e.g. Piper, Kent). Doubt the carbs would be a problem either.

[Chicharito]

Garlick said:

My mate had a Rapide Coupe and it was, quite frankly, brilliant.

It's RAPID, without the E.... argh!

[Buff Mchugelarge]

My dad had one I was little, Would quite like one tbh

Theres a guy in Southwick (South East) that must have 8 or 9 in his front garden.
All different types and colours (well, Yellow, orange and Blue!) a few look ok 1 or 2 are mint though.
I sh ould imagine he's quite well known on the scene

[V8Wagon]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

My dad had one I was little, Would quite like one tbh

Theres a guy in Southwick (South East) that must have 8 or 9 in his front garden.
All different types and colours (well, Yellow, orange and Blue!) a few look ok 1 or 2 are mint though.
I sh ould imagine he's quite well known on the scene

lol, I drive past his house on the way to work every day!

and yup...his neighbours must hate him!!

[MX7]

Utter, utter st. Retro-cool in a Hoddle & Waddle Top of the Pops way.

No.

[CampDavid]

Has a car ever been so poorly thought of when new and so cool later on?