Škoda 110 Super Sport ‘Ferat’

One of the oldest automakers in the world, Škoda gets very little play here in North America. Some Felicia models were sold in the U.S. from 1959 onward, with little success—too expensive, too small, too slow.

After the Second World War, the company was firmly surrounded by the Eastern Bloc. Whereas the West enjoyed decades of motorsport competition and performance machines from every manufacturer, the East got, well, very little.

There was road racing, and race cars, but nothing approaching the level of development that enthusiasts here are used to.

The Velvet Revolution in 1989 led to a partnership with Volkswagen, who would later buy them out completely.

But in 1971, still firmly under Communist rule, Škoda developed the 110 Super Sport—a mid-engined sports car with a modified, 73-horsepower engine from the 110R Coupe.

It was novel in design because of its hinged canopy over the passenger compartment and rear clamshell cover. Its lines are interesting — sort of like a Ford GT70 mixed with a Lancia Stratos.

Apparently, it weighed less than 900 lbs and would hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in…15.3 seconds. Still, that's substantially faster than most of the traffic behind the Iron Curtain.

It was trotted out here and there after its debut at the Brussels Motor Show in 1971, but was largely forgotten. Ten years later, however, a film studio decided to adapt Josef Nesvadba's novel, Vampires Ltd., about a racing car that's powered by the blood of its driver. It became a film called Upír z Feratu – The Ferat Vampire.

Škoda very kindly lent the film production the 110 Super Sport, but not before tweaking it for its role—black paint, red trim, exposed headlights, and huge rear spoiler.

So, you're wondering: “How exactly does a car run on the blood of its driver?” 

It sucks blood through the driver's foot, via the accelerator. Obviously.

The Ferat is on display at the Škoda Museum, so if you're in the area, please grab a photo…(and wear thick-soled shoes…)

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