The Škoda Favorit Black Line was introduced in 1993 as one of the most distinctive special editions of the Favorit range. It arrived during a period of significant development following Volkswagen Group’s involvement with Škoda and offered a more stylish and generously equipped alternative to the standard models.

The Favorit itself was a landmark car for the Czechoslovak manufacturer. It marked the transition from Škoda’s traditional rear-engined layout to a modern front-engined, front-wheel-drive hatchback, with bodywork designed by the Italian studio Bertone.

Under the bonnet sits a 1,289 cc petrol inline-four. The Black Line was available with several versions of the engine, including both carburettor and single-point fuel-injected configurations. Depending on specification, output ranged from approximately 54 to 68 PS.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. The engineering is simple and robust, one of the reasons why the Favorit became such an important and successful model for Škoda.

What sets the Black Line apart is its distinctive appearance and unusually generous specification. The body was finished in black and complemented by Black Line badging, while period alloy wheels, tinted glass, darker rear lights, a sunroof, headlight washers and other model-specific details gave it a considerably more distinctive appearance than a standard Favorit.

For a Czech car of the early 1990s, the level of equipment was particularly unusual.

The interior was similarly upgraded. Depending on specification, the Black Line featured model-specific upholstery, leather-trimmed controls, a rev counter, central locking, a digital clock and a period Blaupunkt audio system.

Features that would later become commonplace gave the Favorit Black Line a notably upmarket feel in 1993 and reinforced its position as one of the most desirable versions of the model.

Approximately 4,800 Favorit Black Line models were produced, alongside around 1,700 examples of the Forman Black Line. Its distinctive appearance, period equipment and relatively limited production have made it one of the most sought-after versions of the Favorit today.

The 1993 Škoda Favorit Black Line captures an important transitional period in the history of the Czech manufacturer. It combines the original Czechoslovak engineering of the Favorit and Bertone styling with the gradual influence of Volkswagen and Škoda’s move towards more modern, better-equipped cars.

Its black paintwork, RONAL wheels, distinctive interior and unusually rich period specification now make it one of the most recognisable Czech automotive icons of the 1990s.