1987 SKODA ESTELLE TWO 130L 5-SPEED 'SKY BLUE 3833mls FROM NEW'

FOR SALE

JF Classic Cars are delighted to offer for sale this incredibly rare and exceptionally low mileage 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L, having covered a mere 3,833 miles from new and presented in outstanding original condition throughout, making it a remarkable survivor and a true collector's piece

DESCRIPTION

The story of the 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L is one of determination, practicality and survival against the odds.

By the 1980s, Skoda was still operating behind the Iron Curtain in what was then Czechoslovakia. Unlike many Western manufacturers that could invest heavily in all-new front-wheel-drive designs, Skoda continued to refine a concept that had its roots in the 1960s. The result was the Estelle a simple family saloon with an unusual layout by modern standards, placing its engine at the rear and driving the back wheels.

The 130L represented one of the most developed versions of the Estelle. By 1987, years of continuous improvements had transformed the car into something far better than its early critics gave it credit for. It featured a 1.3-litre engine, improved suspension and better equipment levels, making it comfortable, dependable and surprisingly capable on the road.

In Britain, the Estelle earned a reputation as honest, affordable motoring. It was never bought as a status symbol. Instead, it appealed to families, first-time drivers and motorists who wanted a practical car at a sensible price. It was simple to maintain, inexpensive to run and offered remarkable value for money.

Ironically, these very qualities are the reason the 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L is so rarely seen today.

Most examples lived hard-working lives. They were used every day, driven in all weather conditions and, because they had little monetary value for many years, few owners considered preserving them. As newer cars became cheaper and stricter emissions and scrappage schemes arrived, many Estelle's disappeared from the roads altogether.

Rust also claimed a large number of survivors. Like many family cars of the era, the Estelle was not built with the expectation that it would become a classic. It was designed to serve a purpose, and once that purpose had been fulfilled, most were simply discarded.

Today, finding a 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L is unusual. Discovering one that remains in highly original condition is rarer still. The Skoda Estelle 130L may once have been overlooked, but its rarity today tells a different story. It has become an unlikely survivor, a piece of motoring history and a car that represents an era that has almost completely disappeared from our roads

EXTERNAL

Presented in its original Sky Blue finish (Skoda paint code: 4185), this 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L is a remarkably preserved and increasingly rare survivor. All body panels remain original from front to rear, a testament to the car's careful ownership and exceptional preservation. The uniform gloss finish has held up surprisingly well for a vehicle approaching forty years of age, retaining an honest depth and shine that is seldom encountered on examples of this era.

At the front, the Estelle displays its distinctive full-width black slatted grille, a defining feature of the model's character. The grille neatly encompasses both front headlamps and proudly carries the legendary Skoda badging, immediately identifying the car as one of the last and most developed versions of the rear-engine Estelle. Both headlamps remain free from chips, cracks and damage, while the front indicator lenses are equally well preserved and remain in excellent original condition.

The glazing throughout is particularly noteworthy. All glass, from front to rear, remains original and retains the correct factory etchings, an increasingly rare detail that further underlines the car's authenticity and originality. Window rubbers and door rub strips remain present throughout and have survived exceptionally well, displaying minimal ageing and remaining remarkably free from tarnishing or deterioration.

Both front and rear bumpers remain in well-preserved condition and continue to complement the car's clean, unspoilt appearance. To the rear, the original light clusters remain intact, retaining excellent clarity and presenting free from notable damage or fading.

Taken as a whole, this is a highly original and exceptionally honest example of the 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L. Finding any surviving Estelle today is becoming increasingly difficult; finding one retaining its original panels, factory glass, correct trim and such a well-preserved finish is genuinely uncommon. It stands as a rare opportunity to acquire an increasingly collectible and largely unrepeatable piece of Eastern European motoring history.

INTERNAL

Stepping inside this 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L is rather like opening a time capsule. The interior presents with a level of originality and preservation that is exceptionally difficult to find on any family car of this era, let alone one that has spent almost four decades in existence.

The front seats remain upholstered in their original black cloth trim and are complete with the correct factory headrests. Remarkably, the fabric has retained its shape, texture and colour exceptionally well, exhibiting none of the sagging, bolster wear or deterioration so commonly associated with Estelle's that have seen regular use. Equally impressive is the rear seat, which presents in much the same condition, showing very little evidence of occupancy and reinforcing the impression that this is a car that has led an extraordinarily sheltered life.

Underfoot, the original grey and black mottled carpeting remains in superb order displaying virtually no discernible wear. Particularly pleasing is the retention of the factory optional grey Skoda dished interior mats fitted from new and seldom encountered today

Their survival not only enhances the originality of the interior but also serves as a further indication of the car's incredibly low mileage and careful preservation. Details such as these are often the first casualties of everyday use, making their presence here all the more significant.

The black vinyl door cards remain exceptionally well preserved, retaining their original finish and texture with no notable distortion or deterioration. The integral door pockets, often damaged or broken on surviving examples, remain intact and in commendably good condition. Their preservation further emphasises the honest and unspoilt nature of this particular Estelle.

Ahead of the driver sits the original black dashboard, minimal by modern standards but perfectly representative of the straightforward and functional design philosophy that characterised Skoda during the period. There is an honesty to its simplicity that collectors increasingly appreciate today. Importantly, the dashboard remains entirely original and unmodified, right down to the period-correct Clarion radio which still occupies centre stage within the fascia. The retention of its original audio equipment is a rare and desirable feature, as many examples were altered or upgraded during their working lives.

Every dial, switch and control remains original and fully operational. The instrument cluster functions precisely as intended, with all gauges and warning lights performing correctly and the odometer displaying an astonishingly low 3,833 miles from new. Such mileage is virtually unheard of on an Estelle and goes a long way towards explaining the exceptional condition found throughout the vehicle.

Above, the beige headlining remains taut and well-fitted, free from sagging and retaining the clean, crisp appearance one would expect from a car preserved with extraordinary care. It completes an interior that can only be described as remarkably original and extraordinarily rare.

For the collector of preserved and unrepeatable motor cars, this is the type of survivor that seldom comes to market. The vast majority of Skoda Estelle's lived hard-working lives and were ultimately lost to time, making an example retaining its original trim, factory fittings, optional accessories and displaying just 3,833 miles from new an exceptionally rare proposition. It is less a used classic car and more a surviving reference example of the Estelle 130L as it left the showroom in 1987.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Powering this 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L is its original 1,289cc four-cylinder petrol engine, mounted in true Estelle fashion at the rear and paired to the desirable five-speed manual gearbox. Producing approximately 58 bhp, the 130L was one of the most developed and refined versions of the Estelle range, offering improved drivability and a character entirely its own

The rear engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration had become something of an automotive rarity by the late 1980s and today stands as one of the defining features that makes the Estelle so interesting and increasingly collectible.

Opening the engine compartment reveals an exceptionally honest and unmolested presentation. Factory informational stickers remain affixed to both the air filter housing and soundproofing, details so often lost through routine servicing or restoration work.

Their continued presence speaks volumes about the originality of this particular example and provides the sort of authenticity that discerning collectors actively seek. It is these seemingly minor details that separate an honest survivor from a restored example and reinforce the feeling that this car has simply been preserved rather than recreated.

On the road, the engine starts readily, settles into a characteristic mechanical idle and performs precisely as an Estelle should. It pulls cleanly through all five gears, with the gearbox operating as intended and delivering the uncomplicated driving experience that has endeared these cars to enthusiasts for decades

By modern standards, some may describe the engine's character as agricultural, and perhaps that is part of its charm. There is a pleasing honesty to its engineering, free from electronic intervention and unnecessary complexity. It was designed with simplicity, durability and ease of maintenance in mind.

What cannot be overlooked is the fact that this engineering philosophy has stood the test of time. Nearly forty years after leaving the factory, this rear-mounted 1.3-litre powerplant continues to perform exactly as its designers intended, a remarkable achievement and one deserving of genuine admiration. In an era where many modern vehicles struggle with long-term complexity and obsolescence, the Estelle remains a celebration of straightforward and robust engineering.

For the collector and affluent enthusiast seeking something genuinely different, this 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L represents far more than an inexpensive family saloon from a bygone era. It is an increasingly scarce and highly original example of one of Europe's last rear-engine production cars, retaining the authenticity, mechanical integrity and period details that have all but disappeared from surviving examples. It is a motor car that tells an important story, not only of Skoda's engineering ingenuity but also of a motoring era that can never be repeated.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES

The original factory-fitted 13-inch wheels remain in excellent preserved condition and continue to wear their correct Skoda centre caps and wheel nut covers, details that are so often lost over the course of a car's life. Their survival further highlights the remarkably untouched nature of this particular Estelle and contributes significantly to its collector appeal.

Perhaps even more extraordinary is the fact that the car still retains its original factory-supplied 165 SR 13 Goodyear tyres. It is exceptionally uncommon to encounter any motor car approaching forty years of age that still sits upon the tyres with which it left the showroom, making this an important and fascinating aspect of the vehicle's provenance. To the collector, these tyres are part of the car's story and provide tangible evidence of its remarkably low mileage and careful preservation.

However, whilst the retention of the original Goodyear tyres is highly desirable from an originality standpoint, we would strongly recommend that should the new custodian intend to use the vehicle on today's public roads, they consider preserving these factory tyres and fitting modern equivalent replacements purely in the interests of safety. The originals represent an increasingly rare piece of the car's history and are worthy of being retained as part of the vehicle's accompanying provenance.

The braking system performs precisely as intended, with the servo-assisted dual-circuit arrangement providing reassuring and progressive operation in keeping with the car's character. Taken together, these details reinforce the impression that this is not simply another surviving Skoda Estelle, but a highly original, carefully preserved and increasingly difficult-to-repeat example that offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic piece of late Eastern European motoring history.

HISTORY FILE

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this 1987 Skoda Estelle 130L is not simply its extraordinary condition or remarkably low mileage, but the story that accompanies it. Cars can only remain this original through a lifetime of careful stewardship, and this Estelle has clearly benefited from exactly that.

First registered on the 26th March 1987, the car was supplied new by Clarion Cars the official Skoda dealer in Worthing. Accompanying purchase documentation remains within the history file, including the original sales invoice from the outset this was a car destined to lead a particularly cherished existence.

The family responsible for its early life were long-standing Skoda enthusiasts, with a tradition of purchasing new examples and preserving them with exceptional care.  Despite seeing little use, it was never forgotten, being regularly started, exercised and maintained, with its annual MOT inspections faithfully upheld.

Today, the Skoda records just three former keepers, an exceptionally low number for a car approaching forty years of age. The ownership chain is comprehensively documented and supported by an impressive and highly organised history file. The recorded mileage of just 3,833 miles from new is fully substantiated by a continuous collection of MOT certificates dating back to its first recorded test, together with extensive servicing and maintenance invoices accumulated throughout its life.

Importantly, the accompanying paperwork extends far beyond the ordinary. Original handbooks, sales literature and both factory keys remain present, each retaining their supplying dealer key rings. Even the unused tax disc holder survives in its original packaging, a small but wonderfully evocative detail that speaks volumes about the level of care this car has received. Adding further provenance is a personal letter from the previous custodian, recounting both the history of the vehicle and the family's long-standing affection for these charming rear engine Skoda's.

 For the collector of preserved, reference-quality motor cars, this surely ranks among the finest and most charming Skoda Estelle 130Ls in existence today.

v5 Present & HPi Clear.