New Models
New Models

Skoda 1203 van reimagined for the 21st century

Skoda designer Daniel Hájek – who grew up driving the classic Czechoslovakian van – was responsible for the pop-top caravan concept.


The Skoda 1203 van has been reimagined for the 21st century, as part of the brand’s ongoing Icons Get a Makeover series.

The rendition – conceived by 31-year-old in-house designer Daniel Hájek – takes the form of a pop-top caravan, and is reportedly underpinned by the Volkswagen Transporter platform (or at least it would be, if it were built).

“I wanted it to be clear that this is the same vehicle, but I didn’t want it to be too obviously retro," Mr Hájek said of the design.

"I designed a modern vehicle that pays homage to the legend,” he added. "I [think] a vehicle like this would be great for the Skoda brand today."

The original 1203 (below) – which was designed in 1956 and went into mass production 12 years later – derives 35kW from its 1.2-litre straight-four petrol engine, sent to the ground via a four-speed transmission.

According to Skoda, the model was the most widely-used Czechoslovakian utility vehicle in the 20th century. Low-volume production continued until 2017.


MORE:SKODA Showroom
MORE:SKODA News
MORE:SKODA Reviews
MORE:Search Used SKODA Cars for Sale
MORE:SKODA Showroom
MORE:SKODA News
MORE:SKODA Reviews
MORE:Search Used SKODA Cars for Sale
William Davis

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

Read more about William DavisLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent