Found on eBay: 1983 Škoda 105L sedan

Years before Škoda started topping the customer satisfaction charts in the U.K. and other countries, beating its corporate parent VW, and operating plants all over Europe and China, it was a Czechoslovakian automaker known for building more or less reliable cars (mostly less). Few in the U.S. know that even though Škoda is over a hundred years old, it's not even the oldest Czech automaker, or that its cars were sold in Canada all the way through the 1980s. The Škoda 105L on eBay this week isn't from the Canadian market, rather being an example recently brought in from Poland.

As far as Eastern European cars go, this one is a little more eastern than most. For starters, the engine is in the trunk (just like in a Porsche 911!). But unlike the 911, the 105 sedan uses a 1046 cc inline-four mated to a four-speed manual transmission, and makes just 44 horsepower. Made from 1976 until 1989, the 105 was one of the base versions of the 105/120/125 range, though the whole spectrum of engine choices and trim levels was quite limited. Marque experts say that the Škoda Rapid coupe from 1984 and 1985 is the one to go for, but with 54 horses it's arguably not a huge step up from the 105L.

ebay user: keborylam
Now THAT we didn't expect.

This 105L from 1983 is for sale out of Illinois with more than 7 days to go, and is described as a survivor. The seller notes:

"The interior looks brand new. While the exterior does have some scars and bruises it is, most importantly – rust free. On top of that it is also mechanically sound. It was owned by an elderly man in Poland who didn't drive it much. The car was always garaged and treated to rust proofing when new. The odometer shows only 7,771 kilometers. I could not verify that it is correct mileage but it does not seem likely that it rolled over either, judging by the condition of the interior and mechanical systems."

ebay user: keborylam
Uncluttered engine bay has only a few moving parts.

Few will dispute that the initial build quality on these was rather iffy, but initial build quality tends to be a bit of football for pundits when it comes to classic cars. After all, the initial build quality of Maserati Biturbos gave little hint of the depression-inducing drudgery that followed. Conversely, while the initial build quality on 1980s Škodas left a lot to be desired, once all the relatively uncomplicated bugs were sorted they ran fine. And as the 105 used 1960s technology, there wasn't a whole lot to go wrong. In other words, when a Škoda is still running strong after 30 years, it's not unreasonable to assume that most bugs have been sorted as the car has undoubtedly been taken apart and put back together quite a few times.

Look at it this way: if you had to cross Mongolia either in an 1980s Škoda or a 1980s Maserati with only a basic set of tools, wouldn't you rather pick the Škoda? (No. -ED)

"The car drives without problems. When it arrived in the US I had a mechanic go through the cooling system, brakes and carb. The car starts and drives fine but for full enjoyment I would replace the original Jikow carb with a small Weber, common upgrade on these cars." the seller writes.

ebay user: keborylam
Look at it this way: you'll have the only one at the next import show.

Obviously the market for these is, ahem, a little thin in the U.S. But as these were sold in Canada, finding parts for them may not necessarily require trans-Atlantic shipping, as there are still plenty of these at junkyards in our neighbor to the north. And trim pieces for these can be had for next to nothing if you're the enterprising sort when it comes to communicating with clubs and breakers overseas. Since these were sold all over Western Europe, there is plenty of club support available, including in the U.K. So you don't even have to know Czech to run one of these. Finding someone who will know the first thing about these at car show in the U.S. may be another matter. But if the sort of person who enjoys answering questions (some of which will be politically loaded) then this may be the car for you.

By Jay Ramey