Škoda 105/120/125
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The Škoda 105/120/125 were three variations of a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive car that was produced by Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia between 1976 and 1990. The Škoda 125 became available from 1988. Other variations included the Škoda 130/135/136 series that followed from 1984.
| Škoda 105 | |
| Manufacturer: | Škoda Auto |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1976–1989 |
| Predecessor: | Škoda 100 |
| Successor: | Škoda Favorit |
| Class: | Small family car |
| Body style: | 4-door saloon |
| Engine: | 1.0 L I4 |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Length: | 4160mm (76-83) 4200mm (83-89) |
| Width: | 1595mm (76-83) 1610mm (83-89) |
| Height: | 1400mm |
| Škoda 120 | |
| Manufacturer: | Škoda Auto |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1976–1990 |
| Predecessor: | Škoda 110 |
| Successor: | Škoda Favorit |
| Class: | Small family car |
| Body style: | 4-door saloon |
| Engine: | 1.2 L I4 |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Length: | 4160mm (76-83) 4200mm (83-90) |
| Width: | 1595mm (76-83) 1610mm (83-90) |
| Height: | 1400mm |
| Škoda 125 | |
| Manufacturer: | Škoda Auto |
|---|---|
| Production: | 1988–1990 |
| Predecessor: | Škoda 110 |
| Successor: | Škoda Favorit |
| Class: | Small family car |
| Body style: | 4-door saloon |
| Engine: | 1.2 L I4 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| Length: | 4200mm |
| Width: | 1610mm |
| Height: | 1400mm |
Contents |
[edit] Initial design
In the early 1970s, Škoda had originally intended to produce their successor for the S100/110 as a front-engined front-wheel drive model. However, because of the lack of funding (Škoda had even applied for license in Moscow to produce their new car with a front-engine and front-wheel drive), Škoda was refused a license and was forced to update the earlier S100/110 saloon models. The main reason Škoda was not granted a license to produce their new car was because it would have turned out to be a thoroughly more modern car than any other car from the Soviet Union, something of which the Russians wouldn’t have been too happy about. At that time, most cars from the Soviet Union had either a front engine driving the rear wheels or a rear engine driving the rear wheels. There was even a front-engined front-wheel drive Škoda 105/120 prototype, which looked almost identical to the rear-engined one. Because imports were banned, Škoda would not have had the proper resources or technology to produce a front-engined car with front-wheel drive.
[edit] Improvements
In August 1976, the Škoda 105/120 went into production. Despite being basically the same as the previous S100/110 under the skin, the new cars had a lot of improvements, such as a front-mounted radiator with a thermostatic fan. The heating unit was now inside the dashboard, and the fuel tank was now underneath the rear seat. All models had much the same mechanical specification as the previous models, with a 4-speed gearbox, independent suspension, worm-and-drive steering, and swing-axle rear suspension.
The choice of engines for the Škoda 105/120 was either a 1046cc unit for the 105 models or a 1174cc unit for the 120 models.
The Škoda 130 models followed in 1984 and introduced many improvements into the existing 105/120 range.
In 1987, with the introduction of the new Škoda 136 series, most of the Škoda 105/120 series was discontinued, with the exception of just the 105 L, 105 SP and 120 L. When the 125 L was added in 1988, the 105 SP was discontinued, followed by the 105 L in 1989. Apart from the 135/136 series, the only other rear-engined models that remained were now the 120 L and 125 L.
[edit] Initial criticism
The cars were initially criticised for unpredictable handling "at the limit" but it is unlikely that most motorists would notice anything untoward under normal conditions. The cars continued to win their class with monotonous regularity on international rallies, and were increasingly popular with budget-conscious motorists across Europe. The location of the radiator at the front of the car had the advantage of keeping the engine cooled more sufficiently on the motorway, but the disadvantage was that the cooling system was much more complex, leaving it prone to airlocks, which often caused overheating.
[edit] Success
Basically very rugged and robust vehicles (they were after all designed for the primitive roads of Soviet-dominated Central and Eastern Europe) of which they are still a common sight. Even enthusiasts for the marque would agree that quality control could sometimes have been improved in this era. It was these cars that inspired the famous Skoda jokes, but re-evaluation of the models with the benefit of many years hindsight means that the cars are much more highly regarded today.
[edit] The end of an era
After a production run of fourteen years, which included a total of 1,961,295 cars (counting just the Škoda 105/120/125 series cars alone), production of the very last rear-engined Škodas was finally brought to an end in 1990. For the last 26 years, Škoda had been producing rear-engined cars, all of which were basically the same car under the skin.
On October 5, 2004, a survey conducted by AUTOSALON revealed that among the 3,706,012 cars registered in the Czech Republic, 1,780,124 were Skoda cars. At 305,726 cars, the Skoda 120 represented the entire group, while there were 216,857 Skoda 105 cars, which made that model the fourth most common Skoda car. These cars are also still a very familiar sight in Hungary and Poland and many more East European countries.
[edit] Britain
In the UK, the Skoda 105/120 range was sold under the name Skoda Estelle, where it proved popular with 102,105 cars finding homes between 1977 and 1990. In 1987 alone (which was three years short of the end of the cars production run), UK Skoda dealers managed to sell 17,000 rear engined Skodas including the Rapid Coupe despite the cars negative image, dismal handling and outdated technology. Its main selling points were its spacious interior, dependability, ease of maintenance and low asking price. For the 1989 model year, the new prices for the Estelle range ran from £2898 for the entry-level 105 S to £41,98 for the top-spec 130 GL.
Reliability was often a strong point with these cars, some of which have reached over the 100,000 mile point and are still running to the present day due to good maintenance.
As the twenty first century dawned, the number of Skoda Estelles on Britain's roads gradually diminished. In August 2006, an Auto Express survey revealed that just 612 of all the 102,105 Skoda Estelles sold in Britain were still registered with the DVLA, which officially made it the fifth most scrapped car in Britain. With the Skoda Estelle being the last mass-produced rear-engined small family car in Europe, not to mention the fact it's becoming increasingly rare in the UK, prices for good examples are rising.
[edit] Finland
In 1984, the 105 S was renamed 105 Super, even though (as many people will testify) it was the complete opposite of Super. The following year, a 120 LSX limited edition model was offered.
[edit] Germany
There was a 105 LS available.
[edit] New Zealand
This model of Škoda was imported into New Zealand in the late 1970's and proved to be an affordable, popular and robust 'no-frills' vehicle, comparing well against equivalent English imports. There was a political scandal though in the early 1980's when it was reported that a batch of imported Škodas were made with Czech prison labor (such imports are forbidden under New Zealand law), but the importation was allowed to continue when it was determined that the importer knew nothing about this aspect of the vehicles construction.
[edit] Timeline and model definition
Each model defines its engine size. The 105 models had a 1.0-liter engine, whereas the 120/125 models had a 1.2-liter engine. In Czech, the models are called "stopětka" (105) and "stodvacitka" (120).
- S - Standard; L - Luxe; LE - Luxe Economic; GL - Grand Luxe; LS - Luxe Super; LX; GLS - Grand Luxe Super; SP - Special, Service
- August 1976 - Introduction of the Škoda 105/120 four-door saloon range. The 105 models had the 1046cc engine (which was based on the 988cc engine from the previous S100), rated at 33.1kW at 4800rpm. The 120 models had the 1174cc engine (which was based on the 1107cc engine from the previous S110), rated at 36.7kW at 5000rpm for the 120 L and at 40.5kW at 5200rpm. All models had much the same mechanical specification as the previous models including a 4-speed gearbox, independent suspension, dual circuit braking system (with sevo-assistance on the 120 LS and 120 GLS), swing-axle rear suspension, worm-and-nut steering, and front disc and rear drum brakes. All models had a rigid body structure, reinforced doors, laminated windscreen, brake system failure warning light, two-speed wipers, electric windscreen washers, split/fold rear seat, cloth upholstery, and two-speed heater fan with side window demisters. The 105 L and 120 L additionally featured exterior brightwork (including doors, sills and front and rear panels), stylish instrument panel with round dials (instead of the strip speedo as featured in the 105 S), reclining front seats, rear door ashtrays, arm rests on front and rear doors, handgrips with coat hangers, halogen headlights, reversing lights and hazard warning lights. The 120 LS and 120 GLS additionally featured an engine oil cooler, two extra auxiliary halogen headlights, tachometer, and front seat head restraints. The 120 GLS additionally featured a special three-piece radiator grille, sports steering wheel with large foam plastic spoke, exquisit interior trim with matching colours, velour upholstery and carpet-line luggage boot.
- September 1977 - 105 S now has hazard lights.
- Spring 1978 - Introduction of the 120 Standard. It had the same mechanical specification as the 120 L but the basic equipment specification of the 105 S plus reclining front seats.
- August 1978 - 105 S now has reversing lights.
- March 1981 - Introduction of the 105 GL saloon. It had much the same mechanical specification as the 105 S and 105 L plus servo-assisted brakes and the uprated alternator from the 120 GLS. The equipment specification was identical to that of the 120 GLS.
- July 1981 - 105 S, 105 L, 120 and 120 L now have rectangular headlights.
- September 1981 - Introduction of the Garde Coupé as the successor for the 110R. It had the same mechanical specification as the 120 LS and 120 GLS saloons plus a new type of semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The equipment specification was much the same as the 105 GL and 120 GLS saloons but with the rectangular headlights from the more basic 105/120 models.
- 1982 - Introduction of the 105 SP and 120 Forgonette as replacements for the Skoda 1203. The 105 SP had much the same specification as the 105 S but without rear seats and wind down rear windows. Only available in Czechoslovakia.
- November 1982 - Introduction of the 120 LE. It was essentially a 120 L with a modified fourth gear ratio to improve the overall fuel economy.
- July 1983 - End of production for 105 GL, 120 and 120 LE. Revision: 120 LS and 120 GLS now have trapezoid headlights.
- August 1983 - All models now have kilometric trip recorder.
- 1984 - Revisions: Restyled bumpers/grille/headlights, horizontal taillights, larger 38 liter fuel tank, wider track, four-pot front brake disc calipers. 120 L now has trapezoid headlights.
- July 1984 - 120 GLS saloon now has 5-speed gearbox.
- August 1984 - Introduction of the 120 GL and 120 LX saloons. The 120 GL was the replacement for the 105 GL and had the engine from the 120 L plus a 5-speed gearbox. The 120 LX was essentially a 120 LS with a 5-speed gearbox and semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The Garde became the 120 Rapid and had a 5-speed gearbox as an option.
- 1986 - End of production for the 120 Rapid Coupé.
- 1987 - All 105/120 models were discontinued with the exception of the 105 L, 105 SP and 120 L.
- 1988 - Introduction of the 125 L saloon with specification as 120 L plus 5-speed gearbox and uprated 700w 55 amp alternator.
- 1989 - End of production for 105 SP and 105 L.
- 1990 - End of production for 120 L and 125 L.
[edit] Production figures
[edit] Škoda 105/120/125
| - | Škoda 105 | Škoda 120 | Škoda 125 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | - | - | - | - |
| 1977 | - | - | - | - |
| 1978 | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 | - | - | - | - |
| 1980 | - | - | - | - |
| 1981 | - | - | - | - |
| 1982 | - | - | - | - |
| 1983 | - | - | - | - |
| 1984 | - | - | - | - |
| 1985 | - | - | - | - |
| 1986 | - | - | - | - |
| 1987 | - | - | - | - |
| 1988 | - | - | - | - |
| 1989 | - | - | - | - |
| 1990 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 840,561 | 1,070,693 | 50,041 | 1,961,295 |
[edit] Škoda Garde/Rapid 120
| - | Škoda Garde | Škoda 120 Rapid | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | - | - | - |
| 1981 | - | - | - |
| 1982 | - | - | - |
| 1983 | - | - | - |
| 1984 | - | - | - |
| 1985 | - | - | - |
| Total | 11,088 | 91 | 11,179 |
[edit] External links
- Škoda Klub Hungary. In Hungarian.
- Škoda Club UK. In English.
- Iivo's Škoda Page Contains information about the Škodas in Finland, especially the rear-engined models but also contains some information on the 1950s Škoda Octavia. In Finnish and English.
- Škoda Tech Web Information about all Škodas. In Czech.
- Auta 4 Contains technical information on most Škoda cars, including the rear-engined models. In Czech.
- Škoda Rapid 130R A brief summary about the Škoda Rapid. In French.
- Škoda 105, 120, 130 & Rapid In Polish.
- Škoda Rapid.Com Contains information mainly on the Škoda Rapid cars in Britain. In English.
- DriveArchive - Vehicle History and Fate
- AUTOSALON
