Škoda 130
The Škoda 130/135/136 were three of six variations of a rear-engined car (the other three being the Skoda 105/120/125) that was produced by Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia between 1984 and 1990.
Introduction
The very first Škoda 130 models were introduced in August 1984, shortly after the earlier Škoda 105/120 models were given a mild revamp. Developed from the earlier Škoda 105/120 models (some of which continued in production alongside the Škoda 130 models, the 130 series used a new 1289cc engine (which produced 58 bhp, and which was just an enlarged version of the 1174cc engine used in the 120 series), as well as a five-speed gearbox, semi-trailing arm rear suspension, wider track and four-pot front brake disc calipers (the latter two of which were already in use in the 105/120 series). The saloon versions of the new 130 series were the 130 L and 130 GL and the Coupè model was the 130 Rapid, which were just larger-engined versions of the 120 LS and 120 GLS saloons and 120 Rapid Coupè.
The new 130 models silenced the earlier criticism that had been made in some quarters of tail-happy handling, with the prominent UK motoring magazine "Autocar and Motor" remarking in 1988 that the new 136 Rapid model "handles like a Porsche 911."
Skoda 130 in the UK
The 130 models made their UK debut in March 1985 and were available in both Estelle 130 L and 130 LSE 4-door saloon and 130 Rapid 2-door Coupè forms, with an aftermarket Cabriolet version of the Rapid also available. The Estelle 130 GL, which was available in Eastern Europe since 1984, did not arrive in the UK market until May 1987. The UK market got the 136 Rapid Coupè and Cabriolet models in August 1988, followed by the rare fuel-injected Rapid 135 RiC Coupè in December 1989. Both these, and the Estelle 120 L and 120 L Five Saloons, were discontinued just four months later. The Estelle and Rapid were very competitive cars, which helped Skoda to new sales records in Western Europe in the late 1980s (about 17,000 105/120/130 models were sold in the UK in 1987 alone).
Škoda 130-136 Models
Below is the list of models that were sold at least in Czechoslovakia:
Škoda 130 L (1984-1988)
Škoda 130 GL (1984-1988)
Škoda 130 Rapid (1984-1988)
Škoda 135 L (1988-1990)
Škoda 135 GL (1988-1990)
Škoda 136 L (1987-1990)
Škoda 136 GL (1987-1990)
Škoda 136 Rapid (1987-1990)
External link
 | This article about a modern automobile produced after 1975 is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |