The Škoda S1203 (1968-1999) was Czechoslovakia’s and Slovakia’s most popular base vehicle for motorcaravan conversions for ages principally because it was their only light commercial vehicle in volume production during the second half of the 20th century.
The idea for such a vehicle was first mooted in 1956, but it was 12 years before the first batch rolled off the production line. Despite the delays and ‘command economy’ bureaucracy, this was a very modern van, great to drive and extremely reliable, the type of features ‘van owners look for in the best motorhomes. All were forward control, thus the in-line petrol engine was mounted under the cab seats and drove the independently sprung rear wheels via a manual gearbox with a floor-mounted gear lever.
Factory-converted glazed vans offered a light, airy and relatively roomy space for conversion, and included a standard side door for easy entrance and egress.
Campervans were the most popular conversions, either ‘tin tops’ (fixed-roof) or ‘pop-tops’ featuring a vertically extending rising-roof. Many were converted by the factory itself (S1203 Camp). This saw a campervan layout that featured a full-width transverse bench seat at the rear, which extended forward to form a generously sized longitudinal double bed. The galley was immediately behind the cab. Some 1203s were converted into coachbuilts, mostly after the transition from Czechoslovakia to Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Key details of the Škoda S1203
Škoda S1203 (also known as the TAZ S1203) was first built in Vrchlabi. In 1981, production transferred to Trnava, and finally to Žacléř for the last few years. 1.2/1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive
See what I had to say about the Roadtrek B Class, a ‘van that came about due to the determination to have the amenities seen in a huge RV without the size.
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