1986-89 Skoda Rapide 136 – Kevin Jones

This Skoda was originally a display model at Bibsworth Garage in Finchley, London, and has remarkably covered just ten miles from new. The owner believes Bibsworth Garage was the first Skoda dealership in the UK, established in 1986, and that it remained in business until its closure in 2000.

Since then, the car has been stored under a canopy, with only a minimal sheet covering it for protection. Despite this, time and the elements have taken their toll, and the vehicle will require careful restoration to bring it back to full running order.

Very little is currently known about the car’s history—not even the exact year it was manufactured—so the owner is now undertaking research to uncover as much background information as possible. The next major step will be to retrieve the original registration details, which could help confirm its origins and potentially provide insights into its time as a showroom model.

Once the paperwork is sorted, attention will turn to the car’s mechanical and cosmetic restoration. Given its incredibly low mileage and unique past, the goal is to preserve as much of the vehicle’s originality as possible while making it roadworthy once again.

This Skoda represents a fascinating piece of automotive history, offering a rare glimpse into the early days of the brand’s presence in the UK. With patience and careful work, the owner hopes to bring it back to life, ensuring that its story is not lost to time.