The Czech carmaker is celebrating its 130-year milestone in style. At Porte de Versailles, where the 49th iteration of Rétromobile is taking place, Škoda has doubled its exhibition space to 500 m². With 16 exhibits, there are more vehicles on display than ever, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to see a broad cross-section of the company’s evolution.
From two wheels to four: the early years
The exhibition traces Škoda’s roots back to the late 19th century with a replica of the L&K Slavia bicycle from 1897, accompanied by two historic motorcycles: The 1903 L&K BZ was powered by a 331 cm³ single-cylinder engine with a top speed of up to 60 km/h; while the 1905 L&K CCR reflects the company’s continued progress in motorcycle engineering.
The anniversary showcase will be complemented by Škoda’s very first car: The L&K Voiturette A, which made its debut on 29 October 1905, featured a 1, 005 cm³ twin-cylinder engine producing 7 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.
A golden era: from the 1920s to 1940
The Škoda L&K 110 from 1929 represents the period shortly after Laurin & Klement merged with the Škoda industrial group in 1925, a transition that gradually led to the renaming of its vehicles. Another standout exhibit is the Škoda Popular Sport Coupé from 1934 – an exceptionally rare model from a limited run of just 5 units, recently acquired by the Škoda Museum. Completing this segment is the Škoda Rapid OHV from 1940, a sibling of the Popular, featuring an aerodynamic body and a top speed of 110 km/h.
Post-war practicality, open-top style, off-road rarity, and a film star
Four cars from the second half of the 20th century offer a diverse look at Škoda’s evolution. The Škoda 1201 STW, produced in multiple body styles – including an ambulance version – is represented here in its 1958 service vehicle livery. The Škoda Felicia from 1961, powered by a 1,089 cm³ four-cylinder engine producing 50 horsepower, became an icon of 1960s elegance, reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h.
Another model awaiting visitors to the Škoda booth is the rugged utility vehicle Škoda Trekka, built in New Zealand between 1966 and 1973 using mechanical components from the Škoda Octavia Super. Rounding off this selection is the one-of-a-kind Škoda 110 Super Sport Ferat from 1981, a bespoke model created specifically for the cult Czech horror film Ferat Vampire (Upír z Feratu).
The modern era and the electric future
Škoda’s 21st-century line-up is represented by five models. The Škoda Octavia WRC (2003) highlights the brand’s long-standing commitment to motorsport, while the Škoda Superb Tour de France from 2005 reflects its close ties to professional cycling. The Škoda Yeti Extreme Concept, unveiled in 2014, was created as a high-performance show car. Representing Škoda’s current production range in Paris are two electric models: the Škoda Enyaq and the all-new Škoda Elroq.
Rétromobile: a world-class celebration of automotive heritage
The Rétromobile exhibition takes place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from today, Wednesday, 5 February to Sunday, 9 February. As one of the world’s most prestigious classic car shows, it attracts around 130,000 international visitors, including both enthusiasts and industry professionals. Škoda is a regular participant at the event – last year, the car manufacturer marked the 90th anniversary of the Škoda Superb with a dedicated display.
