Hi forum,

I'm a journalist trying to put together a group test of affordable, fun rear-engined cars for Practical Classics Magazine and was hoping you might be able to help me get a suitable Skoda along to take part. I've been tasked with finding an MB but I'd guess they're rather thin on the ground. That would be first choice but if an MB is impossible I'll see if I can twist the ed's arm and open the doors to the later stuff.

It's currently looking like it will take take place on Saturday 6 February at Curborough sprint track just off the M6 toll road close to Birmingham. It'll probably be the cover shoot for that issue so you might end up with your car staring you in the face when you walk into WHSmiths - although it'll have to elbow a Fiat 126 and Beetle out of the way to get there.

Would anyone be interested in bringing their car along in exchange for some glory shots? I'm looking for a relatively standard car although a couple of minor mods aren't a problem.

It would be great to see Skoda represented so if anyone can help please drop me a line at:

[email protected]

or call me on 07813 008 748

Or just replay to the post and I'll check back

many thanks for listening

Chris

Hi Chris

MB's are indeed very rare! I know the owner of one very nice example but I'm not sure he'd like it to be thrashed round a track! I'm happy to ask him if you like. To be honest there aren't thousands of any type of rear engined Skoda! Are you or your ed interested in using an Estelle or a Rapid?

Dave.

Practical Classics mag?? You did a group test feature with an MB in it just over a year ago! Surely you would be better finding an S-series saloon or early Estelle?

Thanks for your responses.

Daverapid, you can reassure your friend that the location has more to do with convenience than trying to set a lap time. It's really hard to shoot a six car group test on the road and a track just gives us the control to get multiple car shots.

To be honest Hawkeracing I didn't come up with the list, I'm a freelancer who has been tasked with finding these cars (I write for PC's sister mag CAR by day). I would have thought that an Estelle would be just as good and maybe more in keeping with the spirit of PC, but that's not what the ed asked for. I'd have to go back and check.

What about a Rapid cabrio? I have to find a Karmann Beetle but I could always get a Beetle saloon (which VW's press office has, making things very easy) and I could use the Rapid cab as to tick the roofless box

To be honest you really are choosing the wrong cars. The Mb is very rare in this country (probably less than 5 running examples) and the Rapid Cabriolets are not really much more plentiful with pretty much every one that comes up for sale reaching silly money from buyers in CZ. I doubt very much any readers of practical classics will ever see one, let alone see one for sale. Estelle/ Rapids (tin top) would certainly be your best choice.

I would offer you my car, but its had a restoration and is a long way from standard. A nice Rapid would be the answer I think.

Bit of a sad update this one, I'm afraid. Apparently for some reason there's less space in the magazine for the feature than first thought (maybe ad-related, I don't know) so someone at PC has decided to chop a car out. I'm afraid it's the Skoda that's been given the bullet. Not my decision I have to say, and a shame from my point of view - I haven't driven one since I helped put an engine in Estelle 15 years ago and was looking forward to it. Sorry if you feel you've been messed about and thanks to all who offered advice and/or use of their cars. Hopefully we'll be able to make amends by doing something Skoda-related in the near future.

Chris

I must admit I was a little reluctant to get too involved with this as I've been mucked around before in a similar way [not by PC I must add].

I cant believe that p c journalists do not communicate ..... MB available here near bham