Škoda · 1981–1990
Škoda Garde
The Škoda Rapid/Garde is a fastback coupé designed and built by AZNP in Czechoslovakia between 1981 and 1990. Based on the rear-engined Škoda 105, 120, and 130 saloons, it was a replacement for the Škoda 110R Coupé built between 1970 and 1980. For the first few years, it was sold as the Škoda Garde in the Czech home markets and some export markets as well. The Rapid/Garde are internally known as Type 743 models, with the later 135/136 Rapids being referred to as Type 747. The Rapid name was originally used on 1930s Škoda models, and was revived again in 2011 on the Indian market Rapid saloon, based on the Volkswagen Vento, and in 2012 on a Rapid hatchback for the international market. The Škoda Rapid was famous being described as "the poor man’s Porsche" after Autocar and Motor defined the Škoda Rapid "a beginners' course to the 911", as it had a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive, just like the Porsche 911. According to the website "How Many Left?", there were a total of 50 Škoda Rapids left on British roads in 2011.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Škoda 110 R · Successor: Škoda Rapid
All Škoda Garde data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Garde/Rapid (1981)
When first introduced, the coupé version was sold as the Škoda Garde in many markets, including the Czechoslovak domestic market. The Rapid name was also used in export from the very beginning, in the UK and in Germany, for example. It is a 2-door coupé derived from the Škoda 120 LS 4-door saloon, powered by the same 1.2-litre (1174 cc) engine producing 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp). The rear suspension was also redesigned, using a semi-trailing arm layout rather than the swing axle of the saloons. It was initially manufactured in Kvasiny from September 1981 to May 1982 - with production moving to Bratislava in May 1982 – becoming the first mass-produced car in Slovakia. It was replaced by the facelifted "M-series" version in July 1984.
Facelift model (1984)
Based on the revised Type 742M saloons, the facelifted model received larger headlamps and blocky, black plastic bumpers. The "Garde" name which had been used in certain markets earlier was now dropped.
Specifications
The Rapid used a unibody structure and a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Front suspension was by double wishbones and coil springs. At the rear there were semi-trailing arms and coil springs, a major upgrade from the swing axle of earlier Škodas that gave safer and more predictable handling. Brakes were discs with four-pot calipers at the front, and drums at the rear. The engine was a water-cooled, carbureted, OHV inline four mounted longitudinally, slanted to the right and overhanging the rear axle. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a transaxle gearbox. Engine upgrades were introduced concurrently with the analogous ones of the Type 742/746 saloons. In the first years of production, the Rapid 120 used the same 1174 cc, 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) aluminium block, cast iron heads engine and four-speed gearbox as on the initial model. These first series were made by BAZ in Bratislava and are known for being unreliable; production was gradually moved back to Škoda's small Kvasiny plant. BAZ ended production in 1987, after building 3,280 of the Garde and Rapid combined. A stronger 1289 cc engine fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox was mounted on the Škoda Rapid 130, producing 58 PS (43 kW; 57 hp) at 5000 rpm and 72 lb⋅ft (98 N⋅m) at 2850 rpm. Top speed was 95 mph (152.9 km/h) and the car could accelerate from standstill to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 16.5 seconds. The 1987 Rapid 136 (Type 747) introduced an upgraded 1.3, with new aluminium alloy 8-port cylinder heads. Power and torque increased to 62 PS (46 kW; 61 hp) at 5000 rpm and 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm. While top speed remained the same, acceleration to 60 mph (97 km/h) was reduced to 14.9 seconds. In August 1987 the Rapid 135 arrived, the Rapid 130 was kept in production for a while but was discontinued in
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Škoda Rapid
- Manufacturer
- AZNP
- aka
- Škoda Garde
- Production
- 1981–1990
- Assembly
- Czechoslovakia: Kvasiny; Bratislava
- Body style
- 2-door coupé
- Layout
- Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
- Related
- Škoda Type 742
- Engine
- 1174 cc I4, 1289 cc I4
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual (Garde/Rapid 120), 5-speed manual (Rapid 130/135/136)
- Wheelbase
- 2400 mm
- Length
- 4200 mm (initial), 4200 mm (facelift)
- Width
- 1610 mm
- Height
- 1380 mm
- Kerb weight
- 855 -
- Predecessor
- Škoda 110R
- sp
- uk
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q257346CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0koda_Garde/RapidCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1366046671 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skoda_rapid_001.jpgCC BY 2.5 · Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Olaf1541 assumed (based on copyright claims). · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.