Description

FOR SALE
A truly spectacular Skoda 136 Rapid enthusiast owned with just 35,903 miles.

EQUIPMENT
Two-door sport coupe body, rear sited engine with louvred compartment cover, large side hinged front luggage area, integral rear spoiler, black moulded two-piece front and rear bumpers, bodyside rubbing strips, laminated windscreen, rectangular halogen headlamps, twin reversing lamps, twin rear fog lights, wrap-around front indicators, electric 4-jet screen washers, rear mudflaps, locking petrol cap, fully reclining front seats with integral head restraints, individual fold down rear seats, Skoda tray mats, heated rear window, low fuel warning light, tachometer, lockable glove box, stereo radio cassette, toolkit, spare bulb and fuse holdall. Accessories: Electric fan switch, Rapid carpet mats, fire extinguisher, warning triangle.

EXTERIOR
What handles like a Porsche, costs only £4,200 and is more fun than a Golf GTi? According to the Autocar & Motor magazine issue released on the 28th September 1988 the answer is the range topping sporty fastback Skoda 136 Rapid! This rare surviving example has been a regular sight in the classic Skoda fraternity and rightly so with just 35,903 miles and remarkable original condition. Specified in desirable factory cost optional Brilliant Schwarz Black, (Code 1999), the paintwork boasts a uniform finish with a few inconsequential markings. All panels are original fitment in amazing condition complete with the somewhat questionable panel fitment, exactly as is left the small Kvasiny Factory in 1990! The underside is very clean and close inspection will assure superb structural integrity thanks in part to Waxoyl professional wax applied by Rust Master. The two-piece bumpers, etched Thorax glass, lights and trim sections are all fully intact and free from damage. The original supplying dealer number plates, rear screen sticker and Lombard RAC Rally sticker remain fitted as it left the dealer new. A rare surviving example preserved, unspoilt and low mileage. Does it get much better?!

INTERIOR
Simplicity was the ethos behind these cars to the extent where the specification was a ‘take it or leave it’ affair with no factory options available! The black seat fabric with clean white striping is in incredible condition with no thinning or rips, even to the tops of the rear seats, and the black vinyl door cards are fully intact. The carpets exude durability over opulence and the hard-wearing pile is free from damage and protected by the original grey sturdy Skoda tray mats and Rapid carpet mats. All interior equipment is fully operational including the Philips 552 stereo cassette for which the cassette flap is missing. The huge front luggage compartment with quirky side hinged hood is clean and still has the protective mat, tool roll and bulb holdall as well as bulkhead chassis stamp, VIN plate, AZNP build plate and delicate labels. Perfect retro motoring for those who dare to be different!

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The rear mounted four-cylinder OHV engine is factory fitment and famed for its toughness and ability to cope with the harshness of its Eastern Bloc origins. Developing 62bhp at 5000rpm and 100Nm of torque at 3000rpm, the sales brochure quotes peak speed at 95mph. The engine compartment is extremely clean and complete with the original jack and even the fragile Skoda Recommend Duckhams sticker remains on the blue air filter housing. The top specification 5-speed manual gearbox operates perfectly and feels light yet agricultural, exactly as it was made!

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Factory fitted 5J x 13 alloy wheels are in very good condition with perfect Skoda centre caps. Some light markings to the wheels is visible but largely insignificant. Matching brand 165/80 R13 tyres have masses of tread and front underslung spare wheel, also a matching alloy, wears an unused tyre. The twin circuit servo-assisted braking system has standard 4-pot callipers to the front which perform very well.

HISTORY FILE
This rare 136 Rapid was supplied new by Skoda and Subaru Main Dealer, Garland Motors of Aldershot, the car was registered on the 20th March 1990 to first owner, Mrs Tice. This example is one of the very final cars, production having ended in January 1990 with the new Favorit model having already been on sale. The previous owner, Mr Mark Fisher, bought the car in 2009 with only 10,300 miles. Well respected in the Skoda classic car community, he held the position of National Secretary of the Skoda Owners Club of Great Britain from 2007–2017 and he remains a club member today. Many trips to the continent include the Denmark Skoda Tour in 2009 and trip to Glamsbjerg in 2011. The car has also participated in various SALT events which stood for Soviet Auto Luxury Tours, (later renamed Social in place of Soviet following the collapse of The Soviet Union), whereby the groups of cars and owners visited various Cold War sites. Further famed events include multiple attendances on the club stand at the NEC Classic Car Show.

The history file is huge and consists of the full supplying dealer branded A5 `book pack with service book and all handbooks and point of sale literature. A large folder holds a comprehensive collection of servicing and maintenance invoices as well as every annual MOT certificate from the first in 1993 with not one single year missing! Brochures, workshop manuals and much more are included. Fastidious servicing and maintenance is clearly evidenced, particularly under the ownership of Mr Fisher, and all servicing is fully up to date, the most recent carried out in April 2024. An exceptional example with service history, provenance and fastidious ownership to match.

MOT May 2025, HPI Clear.