The Czech WRC contestant looks sexy after getting back to the 2003 Rallye Sanremo tarmac specification
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The Skoda Fabia is widely recognized as a humble small hatchback but back in the early ’00s it served as the base for the company’s WRC monster. One of the 24 examples of the rally car is now up for grabs, after returning to its original tarmac specification, which is arguably its best-looking form.
The Skoda Fabia WRC wasn’t among the most successful rally cars of its era as it never made it to the podium. Throughout the 2003 and 2004 seasons, it participated in 57 races, serving as a successor to the Skoda Octavia WRC and being superseded by the Skoda Fabia R5 and Rally2 models.
This particular example was driven by Didier Auriol in the 2003 Rally Australia, Toni Gardemeister in five WRC events, and Jan Kopecky in the 2004 Rally Spain. Following its career with Skoda Motorsport, it kept competing as a privately owned rally car before eventually retiring. In 2020, it went through a comprehensive rebuild, mirroring the factory-backed model driven by Didier Auriel on the 2003 Rallye Sanremo where it scored a 12th-place finish.
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The custom bodywork with the wide fenders, the protruding bumpers, and the large rear wing look quite sexy, especially when combined with the classy white OZ wheels shod in tarmac tires. Inside, there is a proper roll cage, a set of racing seats by Sparco, and not much else. Under the hood lies the original turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox with the help of three active differentials.
The production-spec Skoda Fabia RS / vRS that debuted in 2003 for homologation purposes was far less exciting than the WRC model, although it’s remembered for being a diesel-powered hot hatch oddity. The 1.9-liter TDI engine produced 129 hp (96 kW / 130 PS) and 310 Nm (229 lb-ft) of torque, combined with a sharper suspension setup, larger wheels, and a special bodykit.
According to the listing on eBay, the Czech rally car is located in the UK and has an asking price of £240,000 ($303,083). This is likely indicative as the model will be auctioned by Iconic Auctioneers at the Race Retro Competition Car Sale on February 23. The future owner of the Skoda Fabia WRC will be able to drive it in historic motorsport events like Rally Legends or Goodwood or treat it as a cool track-day special.
