Today I am at the SMMT’s autumn ‘Drive Live’ event near Coventry. Lots to see…

#SMMT

One last old Skoda from #SMMT Test Day. This is the Favorit, introduced in 1987. The Favorit had a modern mainstream front-wheel drive layout with a transverse engine, heralding the end of the rear-engine era at Skoda. Later, under Volkswagen’s ownership, the Favorit would be modernised and revamped, losing some of its distinctive character in the process. It was also renamed as Felicia, recalling the 1950s model of that name I featured a few days ago

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Here’s another historic Skoda from the recent #SMMT Test Day for journalists. This is the S 110 R, a representative of Skoda’s rear-engined era. It was produced between 1970 and 1980. With its two-door fastback coupé bodyshell, it was comparatively sporty by Skoda’s standards, and formed the basis of the company’s competition cars of the time.

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Today, a second old Skoda from #SMMT Test Day. This is the Felicia convertible produced between 1959 and 1964, a relative of the original 1950s Octavia. Both the Felicia and Octavia nameplates would, of course, be revived for modern Skodas. Like yesterday’s 1203 van, the original Felicia and Octavia were front engine/rear drive. Note the ‘mirror image of normal’ gear shift pattern - that’s for real, not a misfitted gear knob or mirrored image.

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Today, a fourth coffee/food van from the recent #SMMT Test Day for journalists - I had no idea this would be such a fertile subject. This is a Skoda 1203 van, introduced in 1968. Until I looked it up, I assumed that this was a rear-engined vehicle like Skoda’s cars of the time, but it is actually front engine/rear drive, and based on parts from earlier Skoda car models of that layout.

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