This article is about the 1984-1990 Škoda Rapid Coupé. For other versions, see Škoda Rapid.
The Škoda Rapid is a fastbackcoupé designed and built by AZNP in Czechoslovakia between 1984 and 1990. Based on the rear-enginedŠkoda 105 120 and 130saloon, it was a replacement for the Škoda Garde coupe built between 1981 and 1984 itself based upon the Škoda 105/120 sedan design, which was also called the Rapid in the UK market. Some Garde/Rapid cars were sent to Ludgate Design & Development in Kent, United Kingdom, by Škoda to be converted into convertibles.
The Škoda Rapid was famous being described as "the poor man’s Porsche" after Autocar and Motor defined the Škoda Rapid "a beginners' course to the 911", as it had a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive, just like the Porsche 911.[1]
Today the Škoda Rapid is gaining in popularity as a classic car with Garde and convertible models being most sought after. According to the website "How Many Left?", there were a total of 50 Škoda Rapids left on British roads in 2011.[2]
The engine was a water-cooled, carburated, OHVinline four mounted longitudinally, slanted to the right and overhanging the rear axle. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a transaxle gearbox. Engine upgrades were introduced concurrently with the analogous ones of the Škoda 130 series saloon.
In the first years of production, Škoda Rapid 120 had 1174 cc 40.5 kW (55 PS; 54 bhp) aluminiumblock, cast ironheads engine and four-speed gearbox carried over from its predecessor Škoda Garde. These first series were made in BAZ Bratislava and they were known for its unreliability.
A stronger 1289 cc engine fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox was mounted on the Škoda Rapid 130, producing 43 kW (58 PS; 58 bhp) at 5000 rpm and 72 lb⋅ft (98 N⋅m) at 2850 rpm. Top speed was 95 mph (152.9 km/h) and the car could accelerate from standstill to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 16.5 seconds.[citation needed] The 1987 Rapid 136 introduced an upgraded 1.3, with new aluminium alloy 8-port cylinder heads.[1] Power and torque increased to 46 kW (63 PS; 62 bhp) at 5000 rpm and 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm. While top speed remained the same, acceleration to 60 mph (97 km/h) was reduced to 14.9 seconds.[citation needed] In 1988 the Rapid 135 replaced the Rapid 130; it used the all-aluminium engine of the 136, albeit with a lower compression ratio that lowered output to 43 kW (58 PS; 58 bhp). The Rapid 135RIC was 1289cc and was fuel injected
Rapid Cabriolet
A 1985 Rapid Cabriolet
A convertible version of the Rapid was offered by Škoda GB on the British market. Standard Rapid coupés were imported and converted in the UK by specialist Ludgate Design & Development (LDD ltd.) in Kent, and were sold through the official Škoda dealerships.[5] The cars retained their window frames, and were reinforced with additional chassis bracing and a T-shaped rollbar similar to the Triumph Stag's. At a total price of just under £5,000, the Rapid Cabriolet was the cheapest convertible on sale in the United Kingdom.[5]
Gallery
Rapid 135
Rear view
1985 Škoda Rapid
1985 Škoda Rapid interior
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Škoda Rapid (1984).
^ abcGoard, Derek (28 September 1988). "Skoda 136 Rapid Coupe". Autocar & Motor. pp. 52–59.
^"Skoda Rapid on How Many Left". Howmanyleft.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
^Chauhan, Yatharth (11 October 2011). "Skoda Rapid: Undisguised images, design commentary and other details". Motoroids Auto Infoservices.
^ ab"Skoda Rapid Cabriolet 130". Motor. 27 July 1985. pp. 26–29.
January 14, 2023
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This article is about the 1984 1990 Skoda Rapid Coupe For other versions see Skoda Rapid The Skoda Rapid is a fastback coupe designed and built by AZNP in Czechoslovakia between 1984 and 1990 Based on the rear engined Skoda 105 120 and 130 saloon it was a replacement for the Skoda Garde coupe built between 1981 and 1984 itself based upon the Skoda 105 120 sedan design which was also called the Rapid in the UK market Some Garde Rapid cars were sent to Ludgate Design amp Development in Kent United Kingdom by Skoda to be converted into convertibles Skoda RapidOverviewManufacturerAZNPProduction1984 1990AssemblyKvasinyBratislavaBody and chassisBody style2 door coupeLayoutRear engine rear wheel driveRelatedSkoda 130PowertrainEngine1174 cc I4 40 5kW Rapid 120 1289 cc I4 43kW Rapid 130 135 1289 cc I4 46kW Rapid 136 Transmission4 speed manual Rapid 120 5 speed manual Rapid 130 135 136 DimensionsWheelbase2 400 mm 94 in Length4 200 mm 165 in Width1 610 mm 63 in Height1 380 mm 54 in Kerb weight855 915 kg 1 885 2 017 lb ChronologyPredecessorSkoda GardeThe Skoda Rapid was famous being described as the poor man s Porsche after Autocar and Motor defined the Skoda Rapid a beginners course to the 911 as it had a rear mounted engine and rear wheel drive just like the Porsche 911 1 Today the Skoda Rapid is gaining in popularity as a classic car with Garde and convertible models being most sought after According to the website How Many Left there were a total of 50 Skoda Rapids left on British roads in 2011 2 The Rapid name was originally used on 1930s Skoda models and was revived again in 2011 on an Indian market Rapid saloon 3 based on the Volkswagen Vento and in 2012 on a Rapid hatchback for the international market The Rapid and its predecessor Garde were internally known as Type 743 models with the later 135 136 Rapids being referred to as Type 747 4 Contents 1 Specifications 2 Rapid Cabriolet 3 Gallery 4 ReferencesSpecifications EditThe Rapid used a unibody structure and a rear engine rear wheel drive layout Front suspension was by double wishbones and coil springs At the rear there were semi trailing arms and coil springs a major upgrade from the swing axle of earlier Skodas that gave safer and more predictable handling 1 Brakes were discs with four pot calipers at the front and drums at the rear The engine was a water cooled carburated OHV inline four mounted longitudinally slanted to the right and overhanging the rear axle Power was sent to the rear wheels through a transaxle gearbox Engine upgrades were introduced concurrently with the analogous ones of the Skoda 130 series saloon In the first years of production Skoda Rapid 120 had 1174 cc 40 5 kW 55 PS 54 bhp aluminium block cast iron heads engine and four speed gearbox carried over from its predecessor Skoda Garde These first series were made in BAZ Bratislava and they were known for its unreliability A stronger 1289 cc engine fitted with a five speed manual gearbox was mounted on the Skoda Rapid 130 producing 43 kW 58 PS 58 bhp at 5000 rpm and 72 lb ft 98 N m at 2850 rpm Top speed was 95 mph 152 9 km h and the car could accelerate from standstill to 60 mph 97 km h in 16 5 seconds citation needed The 1987 Rapid 136 introduced an upgraded 1 3 with new aluminium alloy 8 port cylinder heads 1 Power and torque increased to 46 kW 63 PS 62 bhp at 5000 rpm and 100 N m 74 lb ft at 3000 rpm While top speed remained the same acceleration to 60 mph 97 km h was reduced to 14 9 seconds citation needed In 1988 the Rapid 135 replaced the Rapid 130 it used the all aluminium engine of the 136 albeit with a lower compression ratio that lowered output to 43 kW 58 PS 58 bhp The Rapid 135RIC was 1289cc and was fuel injectedRapid Cabriolet Edit A 1985 Rapid Cabriolet A convertible version of the Rapid was offered by Skoda GB on the British market Standard Rapid coupes were imported and converted in the UK by specialist Ludgate Design amp Development LDD ltd in Kent and were sold through the official Skoda dealerships 5 The cars retained their window frames and were reinforced with additional chassis bracing and a T shaped rollbar similar to the Triumph Stag s At a total price of just under 5 000 the Rapid Cabriolet was the cheapest convertible on sale in the United Kingdom 5 Gallery Edit Rapid 135 Rear view 1985 Skoda Rapid 1985 Skoda Rapid interiorReferences Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skoda Rapid 1984 a b c Goard Derek 28 September 1988 Skoda 136 Rapid Coupe Autocar amp Motor pp 52 59 Skoda Rapid on How Many Left Howmanyleft co uk Retrieved 2012 07 08 Chauhan Yatharth 11 October 2011 Skoda Rapid Undisguised images design commentary and other details Motoroids Auto Infoservices SKODA Garde Rapid Type 743 747 Skoda Retrieved 8 July 2012 a b Skoda Rapid Cabriolet 130 Motor 27 July 1985 pp 26 29 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Skoda Rapid 1984 amp oldid 1107219863, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
