# Škoda 1203

The Škoda 1203, Škoda 1203 M, TAZ-Š 1203 and TAZ 1500 were the only Czech/Czechoslovak van cars ever produced. They were manufactured from 1968 to 1981 in Vrchlabí by AZV Škoda (typ 997). Five years later, production of the modernized type began (typ 776) and part of the production was moved to Trnava (TAZ). In 1981, the entire production was moved to the Slovakian city (Škoda TAZ). In 1985, another modernization came (TAZ 1500) and the 1,433 cm³ engine appeared. The vehicle was also manufactured in small-scale production in 1994–2010 by Ocelot Auto in Žacléř. Around 70,000 cars were produced.
The first plans for production were drawn up in 1956. Inability to secure suppliers of parts and accessories in Czechoslovakia were the reason the production was delayed until 1968. The Škoda 1202 serves as the technical basis of the vehicle. There were several modifications during the production run, most of which had to do with the engine. The Škoda 1203 lasted for over thirty years without major structural interventions in production, and contributed significantly to the development of small businesses after 1989.

## Gallery

* Škoda 1203
* Škoda 1203 was the most frequently used ambulance in Czechoslovakia
* TAZ 1500 KAT Van
* TAZ 1500 as funeral car
* TAZ 1500 KAT Rol
* TAZ 1500 latest version

## Specifications

| Type | Škoda 1203 | Škoda 1203 M, TAZ-Š 1203 | Škoda 1203 M, TAZ-Š 1203 | TAZ 1500 |
| Engine | water-cooled four-cylinder inline OHV petrol engine, cast iron front longitudinally mounted, firing order 1-3-4-2 | water-cooled four-cylinder inline OHV petrol engine, cast iron front longitudinally mounted, firing order 1-3-4-2 | water-cooled four-cylinder inline OHV petrol engine, cast iron front longitudinally mounted, firing order 1-3-4-2 | water-cooled four-cylinder inline OHV petrol engine, cast iron front longitudinally mounted, firing order 1-3-4-2 |
| Power | 47 PS (35 kW) at 4600 min$^{−1}$ | 47 PS (35 kW) at 4600 min$^{−1}$ | 57 PS (42 kW) at 4500 min$^{−1}$ | 57 PS (42 kW) at 4500 min$^{−1}$ |
| Cubic capacity | 1221 cc | 1221 cc | 1433 cc | 1433 cc |
| Bore × stroke | 72 × 75 mm | 72 × 75 mm | 72 × 88 cm | 72 × 88 cm |
| Carburetor | Two-chamber Carburetor Jikov 32 BS-14 (since 1974) | Two-chamber Carburetor Jikov 32 BS-14 (since 1974) | Two-chamber Carburetor Jikov 32 SEDR | Two-chamber Carburetor Jikov 32 SEDR |
| Torque at 1/min | 88 Nm at 3000 4600 min$^{−1}$ | 88 Nm at 3000 4600 min$^{−1}$ | 105 Nm at 2500 4600 min$^{−1}$ | 105 Nm at 2500 4600 min$^{−1}$ |
| Transmission | 4-speed, 2. to 4. synchronized (since 1986 also 5-speed) | 4-speed, 2. to 4. synchronized (since 1986 also 5-speed) | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| clutch | dry, single | dry, single | dry, single | dry, single |
| Top speed | 90–95 km/h (56–59 mph) | 90–95 km/h (56–59 mph) | 110–115 km/h (68–71 mph) | 110–115 km/h (68–71 mph) |
| acceleration 0–80 km/h (50 mph) | 40 s | 40 s | 30,23 s | 30,23 s |
| tank capacity | 40 l | 40 l | 40 l | 40 l |
| consumption at 60 km/h (37 mph) | ca. 10–12-liter/100 km | ca. 10–12-liter/100 km | ca. 10–12-liter/100 km | ca. 10–12-liter/100 km |
| Electrical | 12 Volt, alternator 300 watt, battery 50 Ah | 12 Volt, alternator 300 watt, battery 50 Ah | 12 Volt, alternator 300 watt, battery 50 Ah | 12 Volt, alternator 300 watt, battery 50 Ah |
| Body | self-supporting all-steel | self-supporting all-steel | self-supporting all-steel | self-supporting all-steel |
| Front axle | Gauge 1360 mm | Gauge 1360 mm | Gauge 1360 mm | Gauge 1360 mm |
| Brakes front | Drum brakes (since 1986 disc brakes) | Drum brakes (since 1986 disc brakes) | Drum brakes (since 1986 disc brakes) | Drum brakes (since 1986 disc brakes) |
| Rear axle | Gauge 1350 mm | Gauge 1350 mm | Gauge 1350 mm | Gauge 1350 mm |
| Brakes back | Drum brakes | Drum brakes | Drum brakes | Drum brakes |
| Tires | 6,40 – 15 „Extra Transport“ | 6,40 – 15 „Extra Transport“ | 6,40 – 15 „Extra Transport“ | 6,40 – 15 „Extra Transport“ |
| Turn radius | 10 m | 10 m | 10 m | 10 m |
| Wheelbase | 2320 mm | 2320 mm | 2320 mm | 2320 mm |
| Length × wide × height | 4520 × 1800 × 1900 mm | 4520 × 1800 × 1900 mm | 4520 × 1800 × 1900 mm | 4520 × 1800 × 1900 mm |
| Empty weight | 1,130–1,280 kg (2,491–2,822 lb) | 1,130–1,280 kg (2,491–2,822 lb) | 1,130–1,280 kg (2,491–2,822 lb) | 1,130–1,280 kg (2,491–2,822 lb) |
| construction period | 1968–1985 | 1968–1985 | 1981–1999 | 1981–1999 |