Skoda 720 Coupé

The Skoda 720 Coupe is a prototype vehicle developed in the late 1960s as part of the broader Skoda 720 series. The 720 project represented an initiative by the Czechoslovak manufacturer AZNP (Automobilove zavody, narodni podnik) to modernize its lineup with a new mid-size automobile, diverging from the rear-engined configuration used in previous production models. The project was intended to deliver multiple body styles, including saloon, estate, and coupe variants, in alignment with European design and market trends of the period. The coupe version was conceived as a two-door fastback, with a continuous roofline terminating in a sloped rear section. The design by Italdesign Giugiaro, was consistent with late-1960s styling conventions, emphasizing aerodynamic form and simplified surface treatments. The vehicle’s dimensions and layout adhered to conventional norms for mid-size passenger cars, with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. Engine options under development for the Skoda 720 series included four-cylinder petrol engines with displacements ranging from 1,236 cc to 1,772 cc. Power output varied accordingly, from approximately 66 to 95 horsepower. The engine was mounted longitudinally, and power was transmitted via a manual gearbox. The chassis was composed of a steel monocoque structure, with independent front suspension and a live rear axle. Braking was by hydraulic drums or discs, depending on specification. The Skoda 720 Coupe, like other variants in the 720 program, did not proceed to series production. Although a number of prototypes were completed, the project was ultimately discontinued due to shifting priorities within the centrally planned economy of Czechoslovakia. Existing manufacturing capacity was redirected to the continued development of rear-engined platforms, considered more suitable for the domestic and export markets served by the company at the time. Only a limited number of 720 Coupe units were constructed, and these remained in experimental or testing roles. No production chassis numbers or ownership records are publicly documented. The 720 Coupe represents a transitional moment in Skoda’s design and engineering history, reflecting an unrealized attempt to align the brand more closely with international automotive trends during the late 20th century.