ŠKODA MUSEUM CELEBRATES 125 YEARS OF MOTORSPORT HERITAGE WITH SPECIAL EXHIBITION

Historic Rally Cars, Racing Legends and Rare Artefacts Unite in Mladá Boleslav Anniversary Showcase

The Škoda Museum has opened a major motorsport-themed exhibition celebrating 125 years of Škoda's involvement in racing and rallying, bringing together some of the most iconic competition vehicles in the Czech manufacturer's history.

Located in Mladá Boleslav, the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore more than a century of motorsport development, from the earliest Laurin & Klement competition machines to the latest generation Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

Greeting visitors at the entrance is the current Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 wearing its special 125th anniversary livery, setting the tone for an exhibition that traces the brand's journey through rallying, circuit racing, hill climbs and record-breaking achievements.

Motorsport Icons Span More Than a Century of Competition

The museum's main exhibition area features 15 historic and modern competition vehicles representing key moments in Škoda's racing heritage.

Among the oldest exhibits is the 1908 Laurin & Klement FC, a vehicle designed for both factory competition and private sporting customers. Also on display are the Laurin & Klement RK/M phaeton and the elegant Škoda Popular Sport Coupé, a model built for the famous Through The Little Entente Rally in 1937.

"The exhibition provides a unique overview of Škoda's motorsport evolution, bringing together vehicles that rarely share the same space."

Detailed information panels guide visitors through the various eras of the manufacturer's competition history, while display cases showcase historic trophies, flags and rare memorabilia.

One of the standout exhibits is the travelling trophy awarded by the Royal Automobile Club for the Prince Henry Tours, a prestigious motoring event held between 1908 and 1910.

Legendary Rally Cars Take Centre Stage

For rally enthusiasts, the exhibition includes several of the brand's most successful and recognizable competition machines.

The legendary Škoda 130 RS and Škoda 130 LR, which achieved significant success during the 1970s and 1980s, are displayed together, highlighting an important period in the manufacturer's rallying history.

The modern era is represented by cars including the Škoda Fabia S2000 and the Škoda Octavia WRC, both of which played important roles in the company's international rally programmes.

"From rear-wheel-drive rally legends to modern Rally2 machinery, the exhibition showcases the technological and sporting progress achieved across generations."

Record Breakers and Circuit Racing Stars Included

The exhibition extends beyond rallying to celebrate Škoda's achievements in circuit racing and speed record attempts.

Visitors can examine the distinctive Škoda 1000 MB 1800 B5, whose dramatically widened bodywork reflects the aggressive engineering of late-1960s and early-1970s touring car competition.

Also featured is the remarkable Škoda Octavia vRS Bonneville, which set a speed record of 365.45 km/h on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States in 2011.

Drivers, Trophies and Motorsport Innovation

A dedicated section of the exhibition focuses on the people behind the success, featuring professional racing equipment, historic trophies and detailed profiles of key figures from Škoda's motorsport history.

The Drivers' Gallery highlights personalities from different eras, including motorsport pioneer Narcis Podsedníček and multiple rally champion Jan Kopecký.

The exhibition also explores the growing importance of sustainability within modern motorsport and the role it is expected to play in the future of competition.

Motorsport Depot Adds Even More Rare Machinery

Beyond the main exhibition, visitors can access the specially created Motorsport Depot, where nearly twenty additional competition vehicles are displayed.

Among the highlights are the 1971 Škoda Buggy autocross special, the rare 1978 Škoda 130 RS A5 prototype and a selection of single-seater racing cars.

Additional guided tours are also available by reservation, offering access to the museum's "Sleeping Beauty" vehicle repository and the "Declassified Concepts" collection, which reveals decades of automotive development history.

Key Points

• Škoda Museum is celebrating 125 years of motorsport history with a special exhibition in Mladá Boleslav.

• The display features more than a century of racing and rallying heritage.

• Visitors are welcomed by the latest Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 in anniversary livery.

• Historic vehicles include the 1908 Laurin & Klement FC and the 1937 Škoda Popular Sport Coupé.

• Legendary rally cars such as the Škoda 130 RS, Škoda 130 LR, Škoda Fabia S2000 and Škoda Octavia WRC are on display.

• The exhibition includes rare trophies, memorabilia and motorsport artefacts.

• A dedicated Drivers' Gallery honours key figures including Narcis Podsedníček and Jan Kopecký.

• The Motorsport Depot adds nearly twenty additional competition vehicles to the visitor experience.

• The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.