[December 14, 2023, Mlada Boleslav Beijing] Skoda's legendary model 1203 is a solid and durable light commercial vehicle with a flat-head body design. The model was developed over a period of 12 years, with a production model unveiled on September 14, 1968, and mass production began on November 20 of the same year at the Vörhrabbi plant in the Czech Republic. Over the next three decades, the 1203 was developed in a variety of versions to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
It has been 55 years since Skoda began mass production of the 1203 model. This model set the benchmark for the light commercial vehicle market and Skoda expanded its product portfolio to fill the gap in the Czechoslovak flat-top light utility model at the time. According to Skoda Museum experts, the Skoda 1203 is a classic multifunctional model, on the basis of which many derivative and modified models have been produced. Its versatility and durability make it an indispensable part of the lives of many Czechoslovakians.
Skoda 1The birth and development of models
The development and production of the Skoda 1203 model is inseparable from the Skoda Verchrabi plant. At that time, the relevant ** department asked the local development team to create a new "large modern commercial vehicle". The development team began working on a flat-top utility vehicle with a single-box self-supporting body in 1956, and the first three prototypes were unveiled in 1957 with different body styles. Mass production of the 1203 was postponed to the fourth quarter of 1968 due to overlapping production with the soon-to-be-discontinued Skoda 1202 series, as well as the lack of materials and different production technologies.
An innovative design that combines space, comfort and performance
The Skoda 1203 model no longer uses a trunk chassis, resulting in an excellent interior with wide glass windows. The model has a curb weight of just 1,170 kg and improves ride comfort on bumpy roads thanks to the use of independent suspension. The 1203 model is equipped with a 1A two-liter, 35 kW four-cylinder engine. Despite its modest power, this engine can accommodate a car with a load capacity of 750 kg and a cargo space of 53 cubic meters of car power. The first 1203 vans were launched at the end of 1968 and were 452 meters, width 180 meters, 190 meters, the top speed is 90 km h, and the fuel consumption at 60 km/h is 11 liters per 100 km.
A variety of variantsContinuousUpgrades
Following the van version, the Skoda 1203 model is also available in a variety of variants such as eight-seater minibuses, semi-flatbeds, flatbeds, ambulances, special versions for veterinarians and firefighters, and special purpose versions such as refrigerated trucks and campervans. The Skoda 1203 is not only available in a variety of variants, but is also constantly being modernized. In 1988, Skoda underwent a major facelift to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1203 model. The facelift includes the introduction of a 1.2 with an output of 42 kWA four-liter engine, a new five-speed manual gearbox, dual-circuit brakes, and other body improvements. In 1996, the Skoda 1203 model series began to use the four-cylinder 1 of the Volkswagen Group9-liter diesel engine. Between 1968 and 1981, 69,727 Skoda 1203s were produced at the Skoda Verkhrabi plant. By the time production ceased production in August 1999, approximately 89,000 units of the Skoda 1203 were produced at another plant.