A concise timeline of key moments in Skoda's history, from Václav Klement's 1895 Slavia bikes to its modern SUV era.
Highlights include the 1908 hillclimb win, a 1936 world tour in a Rapid, the 1974 "Swimmer" underwater test, the 1981 Ferat Vampire film car, and the 2016 Kodiaq campaign.
Václav Klement turned a warranty dispute over a defective bicycle into a business partnership with mechanic Václav Laurin, launching Slavia bicycles and later Laurin & Klement cars.
Count Alexander Kolowrat removed weight—including the seat—and with a stripped-down car beat seven rivals to win a hillclimb in Gaillon, France.
A Skoda Rapid completed a globe-circling trip in 98 days with special equipment: oversized tyres, twin ignition and extra fuel tanks.