Škoda 105

Škoda 105/120/125
Škoda 105 S model 1982
Overview
Manufacturer	AZNP
Also called	Škoda 105/120/125 Škoda Estelle (UK, 1977-1978) Škoda Super Estelle (UK, 1978-1984) Škoda Estelle Two (UK, 1984-1990)
Production	1976–1990
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car / Small family car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	RR layout
Related	Škoda Garde Škoda Rapid Škoda 130 Škoda 135 Škoda 136
Powertrain
Engine	1046ccm 33.1 kW (44.4 hp) I4 (Š105) 1174ccm 36.7 kW (49.2 hp)I4 (Š120) 1174ccm 40.5 kW (54.3 hp)I4 (Š120LS/GLS)
Transmission	4-speed and 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	4,160 mm (163.8 in) (76-83) 4,200 mm (165.4 in) (83-89)
Width	1,595 mm (62.8 in) (76-83) 1,610 mm (63.4 in) (83-89)
Height	1,400 mm (55.1 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Škoda 100 Škoda 110
Successor	Škoda Favorit

The Škoda 105, Škoda 120 and Škoda 125 were three variations of a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive small family car that was produced by Czechoslovakian car manufacturer AZNP in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia between 1976 and 1990. Engine sizes were 1.05 and 1.2 liters respectively. The range was face lifted in 1984 with a revised front design and engine improvements, together with the introduction of a new 1.3 liter version known as the Škoda 130, followed in 1987 by the Škoda 135/136.

All 105/120/125 and 130 models known by their Škoda internal reference as Type 742, and the later 135 and 136 models as Type 746. In the UK the 105/120 models were known as the Super Estelle until 1984 when the face lifted models were called Estelle Two.

In the early 1970s, Škoda had originally intended to produce their successor to the S100/110 as a front-engined front-wheel drive model. However, because of the lack of funding (Škoda had even applied for license in Moscow to produce their new car with a front-engine and front-wheel drive), Škoda was refused a licence and was forced to update the earlier S100/110 saloon models. The main reason Škoda was not granted a licence to produce their new car was because it would have turned out to be a thoroughly more modern car than any other car from the Soviet Union, something which the Russians wouldn’t have been too happy about. At that time, most cars from the Soviet Union had either a front engine driving the rear wheels or a rear engine driving the rear wheels. There was even a front-engined front-wheel drive Škoda 105/120 prototype, which looked almost identical to the rear-engined one. Because imports were banned, Škoda would not have had the proper resources or technology to produce a front-engined car with front-wheel drive.

The Škoda 105/120 went into production in August 1976. Despite being basically the same as the previous S100/110 under the skin, the new cars featured a lot of improvements, such as a front-mounted radiator with a thermostatic fan. The heating unit was now inside the dashboard, and the fuel tank was now underneath the rear seat. All models had much the same mechanical specification as the previous models, with a 4-speed gearbox, independent suspension, worm-and-drive steering, and swing-axle rear suspension. An interesting feature found on the 105/120 was the side-hinged bonnet, which opened up like the top of a concert piano.