This Rare Skoda Goes Back to the Future

Skoda’s design team has been having fun after hours by revisiting classic models and sketching how they might look with the brand’s latest design language. The “Modern Solid” styling has now been applied to one of the rarest cars ever made by the Czech automaker. The 1000 MBX debuted in 1966, with only 1,403 units produced before it was discontinued in 1969. An even rarer version, the slightly more powerful 1100 MBX, saw just 1,114 examples assembled.

The 1000 MBX/1100 MBX was essentially a two-door coupe version of the 1000 MB, retaining the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Like the original, Skoda’s revival has a boxy shape that skips the B-pillars but adds small, rear-hinged doors reminiscent of the Mazda RX-8. It features four sliding doors for access to bench-style front seats and tip-up rear seats similar to those found in cinemas.

Skoda’s Antti Savio handled the exterior design, while David Stingl took charge of the cabin. The duo completed the project in just four weeks for the brand’s “Icons Get a Makeover” series, which recently reimagined the 110 R coupe. As with previous projects, this one is purely electric and has zero chance of reaching production. These sketches are “what if” exercises, not previews of upcoming models.

Since it exists only as a digital concept, Skoda imagined the 1000 MBX with high-end features you won’t find on any of its real cars, like a height-adjustable air suspension. The compact EV, roughly the size of the last Audi TT, certainly pays homage to its ancestor, but it reminds us of another retro-futuristic design from a different brand: the Nissan IDx.

Skoda’s latest creation from its design fantasy world includes other clever touches, such as an unusual glass-covered oval dashboard. We’ve included images of the original to highlight the clear design inspirations and striking similarities.

The latest real concept to wear the Modern Solid design language and evolve into a production vehicle is the Vision O, a large electric wagon due in a few years. As for the 1000 MBX and its fictional predecessors, they’ll remain fascinating side projects from the design team, sadly never destined for showrooms.