Newest Autocult models (Renault, Skoda, Volvo)

Some more models of note just announced from AutoCult...

1957 Skoda 979-II

In 1955, the Ministry of Automotive Industry in the CSSR gave the green light for the construction of a commercial vehicle that would meet the requirements of spacious, lightweight and modern. In addition, it was also demanded that the minibus should appeal to buyers of the Western countries, simply because of the fact that the coveted foreign currency, gained by the export, could fill the state treasury of the Czechoslovak Republic. Other government requirements were a steel body, which was self-supporting, the load capacity of 950 kg, as well as a top speed of almost 100 km/h, with a consumption of no more than 10 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers. 

With these key values, the first test vehicle at Škoda was created and got the model designation S 979. From March 1956 onwards the van was designed, developed and set on wheels. Only six months later a prototype was ready to be tested in real conditions.

Visually slightly modified, an improved version was tested on the roads shortly afterwards, which was designated inhouse as the prototype 979-II. The rear still featured two rows of bench seats, while the engine was installed between driver and front-seat passenger.

It is not exactly known why the development of the minibus was protracted repeatedly, why the initial prototype had to be rebuilt visually slightly modified, and why in the end it did not come to a final, but above all near-term decision by the governmental institutions. Finally, the first bus – under the designation 1203 – left the production line in November 1968.

1953 Renault 4CV Zink

Very little is known about the car of the Swabian Renault dealer Zink, but it is certain that the creative dealer presented his unique car based on a Renault 4 CV to the public at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1953.

All in black, the coupe showed unmistakable borrowings from the then current Porsche 356. It remains unclear whether the parts were also used for this purpose, as well as the question of whether other vehicles had ever left the Swabian workshop in addition to the assembled trade fair specimen. It is also not known what the reactions of the trade fair audience were to the coupe, but it can be assumed that Renault dealer Zink thought it was so good that he pushed ahead with his project. It seemed as if he did not want to launch a small series of his roadster only for German buyers and thus perhaps surround the approval of the French factory, but he intended to join the ranks of other manufactures who offered variants based on the 4 CV under their own sales name.

Renault dealer Zink presented his car in 1954 at the factory in Boulogne-Billancourt, probably to get the official blessing of the company management. Even if nothing is known about the course of his presentation, it can be assumed that there was probably no thumbs up from the French company headquarters.

And from Avenue43, the Volvo 66 GL Cabrio in blue or white