Skoda 130 RS: A Racing Legend That Defined an Era

Skoda celebrates its 130th anniversary this year and also marks half a century since the 130 RS made its public debut at the Most circuit. With a series of international successes in rally stages and racing circuits, this legendary competition car has earned a permanent place in motorsport history. Its legacy lives on today, with the RS badge present on the most dynamic models in Skoda's current range. In addition to the special exhibition at the Skoda Museum's prototype and sports car depot, the Czech automaker commemorates the anniversary with a special video paying tribute to its iconic racing car.

The Skoda 130 RS is one of the most iconic cars in the history of the Mladá Boleslav-based automaker. In its time, it won numerous titles in both international rallies and circuit races. Building on the strengths of its predecessors, the 180 RS and 200 RS, the 130 RS quickly became a formidable rival to established competitors thanks to its extraordinary driving dynamics. Its numerous victories in prestigious events earned it a reputation as a powerhouse in Czechoslovak motorsport. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its debut, three examples of the Skoda 130 RS are currently on display at the Skoda Museum's prototype and sports car facility in Mladá Boleslav, where they will remain until April 27.

Just a month after making its public debut at the Most circuit in April 1975, the newly developed 130 RS coupe, designated Type 735, achieved an impressive result in its first competitive appearance. In the European Touring Car Championship race in Brno, two 130 RS cars finished third and fourth in the under 2,000 cc category. This initial achievement laid the foundation for a highly successful motorsport career for the 130 RS. It won trophies both within the Eastern Bloc and on the international stage, where it faced stiff competition from major Western brands.

Among its triumphs, the Skoda 130 RS secured a class victory in the legendary 1977 Monte Carlo Rally, finishing 12th overall. Other notable performances include an eighth-place finish in the overall standings of the 1979 Acropolis Rally. In 1981, it repeated this remarkable success, once again demonstrating its ability to outperform significantly more powerful rivals.

The Skoda 130 RS also made its mark in the racing world by clinching the overall title in the 1981 European Touring Car Championship, its greatest track success, after consistently finishing among the top three in previous seasons.

It was powered by a rear-mounted, liquid-cooled four-cylinder OHV engine with a displacement of 1.3 litres. Over time, its power increased from the original 113 hp to 142 hp in the circuit racing version. Thanks to the use of aluminium alloy panels and fibreglass components, the racing car weighed only 720 kg, allowing it to reach a top speed of 220 km/h.

However, the true strength of the competition car built in Mladá Boleslav lay in its handling and agility. Its well-balanced design inspired confidence in all driving conditions, allowing it to respond reliably under pressure. In its original factory specification, nearly 200 units of the 130 RS were produced, with dozens more privately built using factory-supplied components.