In 1980s Britain, the Skoda brand was often subjected to lazy jokes, which was a little unfair considering the rich heritage of the brand. Its bargain basement prices with a lively rear-mounted engine was a tried and tested formula that had served the brand well, provided you understood the physics required to manage the grip in the wet. However, its comfort and fairly good rust resistance elevated it above the other budget cars and was generally well-liked by their owners. Throughout the 1980s, the dealership worked hard to keep their customers satisfied, with the offer of a brand new Skoda for the price of a three-year Ford Escort allowing them to sell around 10,000 cars a year.
Proving that cheap and reliable transport was far more important than a perceived image. Once VW got their hands on the brand, the metamorphosis of the Skoda started and with each successive generation of cars, the name crystallised into a respected brand.
During the summer of 2017, owner Steve Gibson had a novel idea of creating a vision of a 4WD Skoda with a unique touch. Starting life as a 1988 orange 130L, the body was grafted on top of a 1.8-litre Audi TT floor pan, drivetrain and engine. To resolve the wider track, a set of adapted Lancia Integrale arches were fitted onto the body. The cabin has been sourced from VAG cars, including Audi switchgear and a VW Golf rear seat. Finished off with a Fiat grey, this unique creation is the very epitome of a resto-mod; original and unique.
