Skoda 1100 OHC
in

Do you know the Skoda 1100 OHC?

At first glance it already attracts attention. By its lines and that rabid red color it looks like a small etceterini from the 50s, maybe a little more angular. However, details like the headlights give you clues that you are facing something else, until you guess what it is ... A Skoda! Specifically the 1100OHC, one of its best competition models. Not surprisingly, the Czech brand has been a box of surprises from the moment it was founded.

A foundation that dates back to 1895, when a young bookseller from the Austro-Hungarian Empire could not find the necessary parts to repair his bicycle. Neither short nor lazy he decided to open his own factory. Imagine that something similar happens to you with the toaster, and you end up being Moulinex's competition ... Thus, with two wheels and pedals, the history of a company began that, although we associate practical cars has manufactured Hispano-Suizas under license and wonders to cut the wind on circuits like this ...

[your_vimeo url = »https://vimeo.com/245149367 ″ width =» 700 ″]

MUCH MORE THAN THE REFLECTION OF OTHERS

Reading about this Skoda, you realize that some have considered it a second-rate car. Although it is true that it has certain similarities with respect to the Italian barquettas of the time, the 1100 OHC is much more than a knockoff. The truth is that it is a jewel of engineering, especially in regards to its weight: Despite measuring almost 4 meters long, the scale remains at about 550 kilos. How did they get it?

The bodywork was made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, mounted on a thin-gauge, lattice-tube chassis. In addition, the weight distribution is almost perfect: calculating with a driver weighing about 75 kilos, the weight distribution is 49% on the front axle and 7% on the rear. If we add to that the 'wedge' aerodynamics that lifts less than a meter off the ground ... we have a real bullet.

A bullet that really does not need a large engine to be propelled up to 200 km / h. For this reason, it was enough with a front mechanic of four cylinders, 1089 cc and only 92 CV. Ah! And don't forget: The 5-speed gearbox is mounted on the rear axle, in 'transaxle'. Cool!

CRASHING AGAINST THE STEEL CURTAIN

The first time the Skoda 1100 OHC stepped onto a race track it was to win. Specifically at the Mladá Boleslav circuit, where in 1958 the pilot Miroslav Fousek won the victory thinking - who knows - about repeating the feat in more famous races. But nevertheless, the 1100 OHC crashed into the policy of the Iron Curtain. The tension of the Cold War made it impossible for Skoda to compete beyond the territory of the socialist countries. A shame, because we would love to see what would have happened when this featherweight met other opponents of greater caliber ...

In 1959, two units with a closed roof and aluminum bodywork were produced, which, although heavier, weighed only 618 kilos. Both suffered serious accidents. Fortunately, of the open 1100 OHC, at least two units are preserved: one in the brand's museum in the Czech Republic and another acquired by the British importer SkodaUK.

As you can see, it is going to be difficult to get hold of one of these Skodas 1100 OHC. However ... here we leave you a video in case you want to build it in simple Lego pieces.

What do you think?

avatar photo

Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Once a month in your mail.

Thanks a lot! Do not forget to confirm your subscription through the email that we have just sent you.

Something has gone wrong. Please try again.

60.2 kHappy fans
2.1 kFollowers
3.4 kFollowers
3.8 kFollowers