The mysterious One

The model series of the manufacturer Škoda, which became mainly known under the addition ‘Popular’, was an extremely long-lasting and quite successful small car concept. The series premiered in 1934 with the type ‘420 Standard’. Powered by an 995 cc four-stroke engine with an output of 20 hp the car accelerated up to 85 km/h. The car body made of a mixed construction of wood and steel in a pleasing, contemporary design met the requirements of those years. Only one year later, the further development followed, the type ‘420 Rapid’ with a 26 hp-strong drive. In the same year, Škoda also released the offshoot ‘418 Popular’, which was only fitted with and 18 hp engine. Also in 1934 the version ‘420 Popular’ was introduced, which in turn received the original drive with 995 cc and 20 hp.

Whereas the majority of these small cars went on sale at the dealerships fitted with the standard bodies, also up to 20 copies – other sources refer to ecactly 17 vehicles – were built in the factory to which a espacially aerodynamically desiged car body was fitted. The use of aluminium instead of the usual steel sheet was something special, but above all the shape impressed. The extremely rounded, harmoniously shaped body of the two-seater small car ran out discreetly in a small tail fin. At the height of the side windows, two small hook-out flaps were installed and the engine received its cooling air through the large, seamlessly fitted radiator grill and lateral air intakes. From today’s point of view, unorthodoxly, the decision was made to dispense with a trunk in favor to stow two spare tyres in the rear. 

To this day, the background of the production, the purpose and whereabouts of these vehicles are hardly known.