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Skoda 1000 MB De Luxe (Type 721) 1967 (6904)

Manufacturer: Škoda Auto AS, Mladá Boleslav - Czech Republic

Type: 1000 MB De Luxe (Type 721)

Engine: 988cc straight-4

Power: 45 bhp / 4.650 rpm

Speed: 120 km/h

Production time: 1966 - 1969

Production outlet: 65,502

Curb weight: 770 kg

 

Special:

- The production of the by Jan Zacek designed 1000 MB (Type 990: 349,348 units produced) started in April 1964 and the "De Luxe" in 1966.

- It has the characteristic "smile" on the grille.

- This monocoque bodied 4 door Saloon has a water-cooled engine mounted in the back, a Jikov carburettor, a four-speed manual gearbox, independent suspension all around, a novelty was the folding rear seat, a 12-Volts electric system and rear wheel drive.

- Interesting about this engine is the combination of an aluminum block with a cast iron cylinder head.

- As an export car (more than half of the total production was exported) the 1000 MB was highly successful for Škoda and the Czechoslovak economy.

- The front-engined-with-front-wheel-drive option was unsuccessful due higher cost and design complexity, and therefore Škoda opted for the rear-engined-with-rear-wheel-drive format.

- MB stands for "Mladá Boleslav", the AZNP plant in Mladá Boleslav were this car was produced.

- The company was founded in 1895 as Laurin & Klement, but got into financial troubles in 1924.

- Škoda Works, an arms manufacturer and a multi-sector concern which had become one of the largest industrial enterprises in Europe and the largest one in Czechoslovakia , started manufacturing cars in cooperation with Hispano-Suiza, and took over L&K in 1925.

- In 1930 Škoda Works manufactured cars in its new company, Akciová společnost pro automobilový průmysl or ASAP and sold cars under Škoda marque.

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Uploaded on October 28, 2014
Taken on August 16, 2014