130 years of Škoda

The year 2025 marks a very special anniversary for the Czech car manufacturer based in Mladá Boleslav. A hundred and thirty years ago, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement laid the foundation stone for their company in December 1895. The company began by manufacturing bicycles, then also motorcycles, and finally cars in 1905; the company operated under the name Laurin & Klement until the merger with Škoda in 1925. Two milestones in the company’s history are on show as a taster for the upcoming anniversary at the ZeitHaus museum; both have their own anniversaries to celebrate – the Laurin & Klement 110 Phaeton from 1925 turning 100, and the Škoda 130 RS from 1975 turning 50.

Laurin & Klement 110 Phaeton

The Laurin & Klement 110 automobile marked the transition from the original company, Laurin & Klement, to the industrial giant that is now Škoda. The “110” in the name refers to the stroke length of the engine’s pistons. Developed and taken into series production by Laurin & Klement, the car was still manufactured after the Škoda merger up to 1929, albeit with a new brand logo. The car came in several variants including a roadster and an open-top four-seater, the Phaeton. Good to know: The Phaeton was one of the first “kombi”-style European cars, a shooting brake fitted with a removable flatbed. At a production run of 2,985 vehicles, this was not a mass-produced automobile although it marked the beginning of a new era of automobile manufacturing at Mladá Boleslav with massive investments in vehicle construction. The model on display has seen a variety of rallies and classic car events, including a two-week tour of Cornwall and the Nürburgring Oldtimer GP classic car race.

Škoda 130 RS

The Škoda 110 R series coupé set the scenes for the legend that has become Škoda motorsport. Its greatest strength lies in its handling: The balanced lightweight build helped whether driving straight ahead, hard cornering, jumping over crests, or racing against the very laws of physics. There were two versions of the Škoda 130 RS developed for the circuit and rally racing. The automobile’s greatest successes include victory at the 1981 European Touring Car Championship as well as class victories at the Monte Carlo Rally.