Škoda · 1976–1990

Škoda 120

The Škoda Type 742 and 746 is a family of rear-engined, rear-wheel drive small family car, produced by car manufacturer AZNP in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia between 1976 and 1990. The original models were the Škoda 105 and Škoda 120; a Škoda 125 variation arrived late in the production run. Engine sizes were 1.05, 1.2, and 1.3 liters, with late versions (135/136) using the new Favorit's engine being given the internal model code 746. Over two million were built in the type's 14-year production run. The range was facelifted in 1983 with a revised design and engine improvements, together with the introduction of a new, 1.3-liter version known as the Škoda 130. Further 1.3-liter models followed in 1987 with the Škoda 135 and 136. All 105/120/125 and 130 models known by their Škoda internal reference as Type 742, while the later 135 and 136 models are called Type 746. In the UK, the 105/120 models were known as the Super Estelle until 1984, when the face-lifted models were called Estelle Two.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Škoda 100 · Successor: Škoda Favorit

All Škoda 120 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Initial design (A-series)

In the early 1970s, Škoda had originally intended to produce their successor to 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 licence and was forced to update the earlier S100/110 saloon models. The main reason Škoda was not granted a licence to produce their new car was because it could have been more modern than cars from the Soviet Union. 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. The new Škoda 105/120 was nonetheless designed to accept a front-engined, front-wheel drive layout later on. The company also finished a prototype with this layout, which looked almost identical to the rear-engined one. The Škoda 105/120, given the internal model code "Type 742", went into production in August 1976. Despite being basically the same as the previous S100/110 under the skin, the new cars featured 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 mounted beneath the rear seat rather than up front. All models had much the same mechanical specification as the previous models, with a four-speed gearbox, independent suspension at the front, worm-and-drive steering, and swing-axle rear suspension. An interesting feature found on the 105/120 was the side-hinged (front) bootlid, which opened up like the top of a concert piano. The Škoda 105/120 was initially available in three model forms with a choice of two engines: the 105 S and 105 L were powered by the 1046 cc engine with 46 PS (34 kW; 45 bhp), while the 1

Second generation (M-series)

In September 1983, the range was given a facelift and technical modernization, becoming the "742M" in internal parlance. New, rectangular headlamps and blocky, rubber bumpers made it look more up-to-date and also improved the car's aerodynamics. The steering was updated to rack and pinion steering rather than the earlier recirculating ball design. Power outputs dropped marginally, to 45, 50, and 55 PS (33, 37, and 40 kW) for the 105, 120, and better equipped 120 variants respectively. The Škoda 130 models followed the next year, introducing additional improvements some of which were also adopted into the existing 105/120 range. The very first Škoda 130 models were introduced in August 1984. Developed from the earlier Škoda 105/120 models, the 130 series used a new 1289 cc engine and also received a redesigned rear suspension. The new design was a semi-trailing arm layout first introduced on the Škoda Garde in late 1981, and the track of the car was widened to 1,395 mm (54.9 in). 105s and 120s retained the earlier, swing-arm design at the rear. Producing 58 PS (43 kW; 57 bhp), the engine is an enlarged version of the 1174 cc engine used in the 120 series. A later, updated version of this engine also saw use in the car's successor, the Škoda Favorit. The Saloon versions of the new 130 series were available in 130 L and 130 GL forms and the Coupé model was the 130 Rapid, which were broadly the same as the smaller-engined 120 LS and GLS Saloons and 120 Rapid Coupé. 5-speed gearboxes and "four pot" front brake disc calipers were other updates. The new models countered 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 Porsc

Model by model

1.3-liter timeline August 1984: Introduction of the Škoda 130 series. Available as: 130 L 4-door Saloon (Type 742.13) and 130 Rapid 2-door Coupé (Type 743.13). August 1986: Introduction of the 130 GL 4-door Saloon. April 1987: Introduction of the Škoda 135/136 series. Available as: 135 L and 135 GL 4-door Saloons (Types 746.135), 135 Rapid 2-door Coupé (Type 747.135), 136 L and 136 GL 4-door Saloons (Type 746.136), and 136 Rapid 2-door Coupé (Type 747.136). July 1988: End of production of the 130 series. August 1990: End of production of the 135/136 series, bringing production of the rear-engined Škoda generation to a close.

Market differences

=== Britain === In the UK, the Škoda 105/120 range was sold under the name Škoda Estelle, a name created by Alan Blavins of Škoda GB's then advertising agency, Childs Greene, who were based a few blocks away from Škoda's office and showroom in Clerkenwell, London. The screen printed anodised aluminium front grille Estelle badges were designed by Alan Blavins and sourced by Jim Hubbard of Childs Greene for Škoda. The Estelle proved popular with 120,105 cars finding homes between May 1977 and March 1990. In 1987 alone (which was three years short of the end of the cars' production run), UK Škoda dealers managed to sell 17,000 rear-engined Škodas of all types, despite the cars negative image, individual handling and outdated technology and serious problems with the head gasket condition. Its main selling points were its spacious interior, dependability, ease of maintenance and low asking price. Reliability was often a strong point with these cars, some of which have reached over the 100,000-mile (160,000 km) point and are still running to the present day due to good maintenance. Škoda made great play in its advertising of its consistent class wins in the RAC rallies in the 1970s and 80s with the Estelle. 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 Coupé forms, with an aftermarket Cabriolet version of the Rapid also available. The Estelle 130 GL, which was available in Eastern Europe from August 1986, arrived in the UK market in May 1987. The UK market got the 136 Rapid Coupé and Cabriolet models in August 1988, followed by the rare fuel-injected Rapid 135 RiC Coupé in December 1989. Both these, and the Estelle 120 L and 120 L Five Saloons, were discontinued just four months later.

Competition

The 1.3 Škoda Estelle was an unlikely hero of the Rallying world in the '70s and '80s. The Škoda Motorsport works team won their class for 17 years running on the RAC Rally, and also claimed class wins on many other world and European championship rallies. Many of the team's drivers were selected from among the company's staff, although foreign professionals did drive for Škoda as well, most notably Norwegian driver John Haugland. Until the mid-1980s Škoda used the 120 model, before building a lightweight and more powerful car, the 130 LR, to conform to the Group B rules. After Group B was banned, at the end of the 1986 season, the team reverted to Group A cars, and used the 130 L model until the arrival of the Favorit in 1989. It is interesting to note that a Group B 130 won its class on the 1987 RAC Rally, as the ban did not apply to 1300 cc cars until the following season.

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 742/746
Manufacturer: AZNP
aka: Škoda Estelle (UK, 1977–1978), Škoda Super Estelle (UK, 1978–1984), Škoda Estelle Two (UK, 1984–1990), Škoda Target (Greece), Škoda Amigo (Iceland)
Production: 1976–1990
Assembly: Czechoslovakia: Mladá Boleslav
Class: Compact car / Small family car
Body style: 4-door saloon
Engine: 1046 cc I4, 1174 cc I4, 1289 cc I4
Transmission: 4/5-speed manual
Layout: RR layout
Length: 4160 mm (1976–1983), 4200 mm (1983–1990)
Wheelbase: 2400 mm
Width: 1595 mm (1976–1983), 1610 mm (1983–1990)
Height: 1400 mm
Predecessor: Škoda S100/110
Successor: Škoda Favorit
Related: Škoda Garde/Rapid