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Modern Skodas Have This Popular Sport Roadster to Thank for the Monte Carlo Name

Skoda has used the Monte Carlo nameplate on a variety of vehicles in the modern era, from the Fabia, to the Scala and Kamiq. However, few know that the nomenclature is an ode to an interwar car, named the Popular Sport.
Skoda Popular Sport 16 photos
Photo: Skoda
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Presented at the 1936 Paris Auto Show and launched that same year, it had a timeless classic design, with a big vertical grille mounted between the round headlights, long hood, classy fenders and basic cockpit layout. The first roadster was delivered in July, followed by its fixed-roof sibling one month later. By 1939, the Czech automaker had built 70 examples, and customers included the then 14-year old Yugoslav King, Petar II Karadordevic.

Okay, so what’s up with the Monte Carlo reference? Well, it was at the beginning of 1936 when Zdenek Pohl and Jaroslav Hausman embarked on a 4-day, 3,852-km (2,394-mile) long journey via Thessaloniki, Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna, Strasbourg and Avignon to Monaco, to take part in the famous Monte Carlo Rally. Their Popular Sport was part of the 105 teams registered, out of which only 72 managed to complete the course, and secured second place in the under 1,500 cm3 class.

Built around the modified chassis of the lighter Popular series, it packed the Rapid’s punchier engine, a 1.4-liter power unit that produced 34 HP. The car had a 110 kph (68 mph) top speed, hydraulic brakes, and two fuel tanks with a total capacity of 170 liters (43 gallons), which guaranteed a 1,500-km (932-mile) range. Tipping the scales at 790 kg (1,742 lbs), including the 250 kg (551 lbs) body, it returned 11.3 l/100 km (20.8 mpg U.S.) and featured heating, partially heated windscreen, and thermos flask holder. The passenger seat could fold back, which allowed the co-pilot to rest during the journey.

Only a few examples of the Popular Sport have withstood the test of time, including the black one pictured in the gallery that has been part of the Skoda Museum collection since 1968. One of approximately 20 surviving copies, it was made in 1937 and restored in the early 2000s, and has been attracting enthusiasts at different events in the Czech Republic and abroad ever since.
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About the author: Cristian Gnaticov
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After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s.
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