Škoda 130 RS – Celebrating 50 Years of a Legendary Sports Coupé

As Škoda marks its 130th anniversary, the brand also celebrates 50 years since the debut of the iconic Škoda 130 RS. Introduced to the public at the Most circuit in 1975, this lightweight yet powerful racing coupé quickly made a name for itself in both international rallying and circuit racing, securing its place in motorsport history.

To honor this milestone, Škoda has opened a special exhibition at the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav, where three original 130 RS models are on display.

Racing Success and Motorsport Achievements
The Škoda 130 RS made its competitive debut at the 1975 European Touring Car Championship race in Brno, where it immediately impressed—finishing third and fourth in the under-2.0-liter class.

Some of its most notable victories include:

1977 Monte Carlo Rally – Class win and 12th place overall
1979 & 1981 Acropolis Rally – 8th place overall
1981 European Touring Car Championship – Overall championship victory
Lightweight Engineering and Precision Handling
The Škoda 130 RS was powered by a 1.3-liter four-cylinder OHV engine, with its output increasing over time from 113 hp to 142 hp in circuit racing versions. The use of aluminum alloy panels and fiberglass components kept its weight at just 720 kg, allowing it to reach a top speed of 220 km/h.

However, the true strength of the 130 RS lay in its exceptional handling and agility, making it a fierce competitor in both rally and touring car championships. In total, nearly 200 factory-built units were produced, with additional privately built models assembled using official factory components.

The RS Legacy Lives On
The Škoda 130 RS was the first model to carry the ‘RS’ (Rally Sport) badge, a designation that continues today in Škoda’s high-performance models. This motorsport heritage remains alive through the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 competing in the WRC2 category, as well as in Škoda’s modern RS road cars.

The Škoda 130 RS exhibition at the Mladá Boleslav museum will be open to the public until April 27, 2025.