It's no exaggeration to say that the Favorit represents the birth of modern Skoda. And modern Skoda ain't doing half bad. Which makes this little supermini - Skoda's first front-engined, front-wheel drive car - pretty significant. The Favorit will celebrate 35 years in 2022 also, first shown to the world at the 1987 Brno Engineering Fair. Given all that, and given that Favorits are rapidly heading towards extinction, this specific one deserves our attention. Because there are four-wheeled survivors, and then there are survivors.
While some of us might see some utilitarian chic in the Favorit, and recall its rallying exploits and know its historical value, it's easy to see how it would pass many by. You still occasionally hear jokes, sadly and stupidly, about new Skodas, leave alone those from the 1990s with roots in the 80s. When this Skoda was new, middle-aged and even relatively old, it's hard to imagine much affection for it. Because the Favorit was merely a Skoda supermini, and people were mean about them and didn't care. Because that was what you did back then.
Consequently, the scrappage schemes would probably have seemed like a lifesaver to those who owned a Favorit - it gave them more money than their car was worth to trade into something new. Not many would pass that up; it's not like the Favorit was an under the radar hot hatch hero. It was the kind of small car the schemes lapped up, because the allowance was so generous.
For this specific model alone - the 1.3-litre, 50hp LXiE Flairline, a peak of 2,000 cars has become just eight. Even starting at 2009, we're at comfortably less than 10 per cent, as more than 200 were on the roads then. Perhaps a decimation of Skoda Favorits isn't the most egregious scrappage crime committed, but it still seems a little sad.
Which brings us to this one, which looks too good to get rid of now, leave alone back then. A one-owner car from 1994 - so one of the very last before the Felicia - this Favorit has recorded just 29,916 miles in almost 28 years. It looks almost factory fresh, too, with an immaculate engine bay, unmarked seats, and original dealer sticker taking pride of place in the rear window. It seems a remarkable little car.
At £4,500 it's difficult to know exactly what a prospective buyer might do. Those needing an actual car for commuting would be better served by something far newer, and anyone wanting a usable classic might not have their heart set on a Skoda. But when even a contemporary and comparable Escort diesel can be £5k, perhaps classic buyers will cast their net further afield and find cars like the Skoda. If nothing else, it would be the perfect transport for next year's Festival of the Unexceptional...
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