Here's something for all you youngsters that think that modding the Octavia is a new thing.

Attached is a scan of Tony Bostock's review of the Octavia in the September 1961 issue of Car Mechanics magazine.

Tony writes the "Hot Rod" column about modding (then current) cars like the Ford Anglia or the Hillman Minx.

Here he has selected the Octavia for a special mention as he is "convinced it has considerable potential as a rally or competition car, whether in standard form, or fitted with the Skoda Felicia Sports engine as an alternative".

Was this guy 45 years ahead of his time or what?

Enjoy!

Very cool indeed!!

Are those leopardskin seats? Tasty.

I wonder how many they sold in this country.

They were quite common in the 1960s. When I was at Cambridge in the late 60s, one of the fellows of my college had the 3-door Combi version - it never let him down.

Edited 18 January, 201016 yr by Zdenek Fibich

They were indeed quite common during the 60s and reading this revue I just wonder why they became the butt of so many jokes? I always felt the styling never did it any favours but on the other hand it is contemporary for it's time but I remember seeing "B" registered ones about, that's 1964 and bye that time the design perhaps had not moved on sufficiently?

Interesting stuff: it is a very pretty little car that and nice to read an original road test: thanks!