Škoda 130 RS: The legendary sports car turns 50

› This year the Škoda 130 RS is celebrating 50 years since its introduction to the public
› The Škoda 130 RS was one of the most successful rally and racing cars in Europe in the late 1970s and early 1980s
› The car chalked up numerous successes for the brand in the World Rally Championship, including victory in the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally
› In 1981 Škoda was crowned European champion in the brand classification of the European Touring Car Championship with the 130 RS

Mladá Boleslav, 24 February 2025 – Drivers loved it, rivals feared it. On the tracks it commanded more respect than any other Škoda before it. Long considered the best and most iconic sports car from Mladá Boleslav, the Škoda 130 RS was first presented to the public 50 years ago. Its special anniversary this year coincides with Škoda Auto celebrating 130 years since the company was founded.

Following the successful era of Škoda’s first rear-wheel-drive car, the Škoda 1000 MB, the time for an upgrade came in 1969 – when the world was introduced to the Škoda 100/110 L models. These differed from their predecessor mainly in their new bodywork. The following year, the designers used the basic version to develop the Škoda 110 L Rally and the Škoda 110 R Coupé. 1972 saw the launch of the Škoda 120 S Rally – a sports car that in the 1970s competed more often on domestic race tracks than any other vehicle.

With the ambition to also do well in the overall rankings at international rallies, the B5-category vehicles were introduced in 1974, namely the Škoda 180 RS and the Škoda 200 RS. These cars, however, could not obtain homologation for races abroad. This led to the development of the iconic 130 RS.

The new Škoda 130 RS Coupé (Type 735) made its circuit debut in Most in April 1975. The RS showed what it was capable of less than a month later during a round of the European Touring Car Championship in Brno, where, in its debut appearance, it took 3rd and 4th place in the under-2,000 cc class.

The drivetrain of the Škoda 130 RS consisted of a classic four-cylinder water-cooled engine with OHV valve control, installed behind the rear axle. The first sales version had a power output of 82.8 kW (112.5 hp) at 7,250 rpm, which gradually rose to 105 kW (142 hp) at 8,500 rpm as the circuit car developed. The displacement increased from its original 1,289 cc to the limit for the under-1,300 cc class – to exactly 1,299.6 cc. The greatest strength of the Czechoslovak coupé, however, was its handling; its lightweight, well-balanced design helped drivers not only in bends but also on straights, in jumps and when they pushed the accelerator to the limit and literally had to overcome the laws of physics.

Unlike the Škoda 180/200 RS, the smaller RS could also be driven abroad in Europe, mainly in the West. The Škoda 130 RS got off to a very successful start, both in rallying and on the circuits. It opened its first rally season in 1976, and just one year later, it took class victory in the Monte Carlo Rally, finishing 12th overall (driver team Blahna/Hlávka). In the 1978 season, the Zapadlo/Motal driver team finished first in its class and 9th overall in the Škoda 130 RS at the Acropolis Rally. One year later, the Škoda 130 RS even finished 8th overall at the Acropolis Rally. Its official career on domestic tracks ended with the 1983 season.

The Škoda 130 RS not only earned a definitive place in rallying but also in the history of the European Touring Car Championship. The brand from Mladá Boleslav completed its first full season in this prestigious series in 1978. At its very first appearance, Škoda took third place in the brand classification. One year later, the Škoda 130 RS achieved second place in the overall standings, and in 1980, third place behind Audi and BMW, as well as first place in its class. In 1981 the Czechoslovak race car with a 1.3 OHV engine fought its way to the top of the overall standings after a tough season, and Škoda won the European Touring Car Championship title.

Today, both the rally version and the circuit version of the Škoda 130 RS are part of the collection at the Škoda Museum and regularly take part in commemorative events. Almost 200 of the original vehicles were built between 1975 and 1980.