Going to Germany/ Austria. Any ideas on Skoda shopping

[woofy]

Yeah I was going to say visiting CZ, the factory tours there are stunning, the tour itself is pretty good as well.

[brad]

I went to the Skoda Museum. It was great. I'll post some photos when I get a chance.

Didn't the factory tour as it has to be booked in advance & I didn't know what day we'd be there.

There is a large showroom next door with all the latest models on display.

Merchandise varied from ridiculously cheap (car models started at about $2.50) to ridiculously expensive cycling gear.

Unfortunately, they'd run out of stock of t-shirts, jackets, etc in my size (Large). They'd also run out of most models.

They did have 50mm & 125mm red Octavia hatches (my car) on display but refused to sell them to me as "they needed them to sell the red Octavia hatch models". I pointed out that they didn't have any red Octavia hatch models to sell but they didn't see my point. My wife took to begging in German & explaining we'd come all the way from Australia & would never have the opportunity to return. It fell on deaf ears. It appears there is still plenty of Eastern Block service (and stock levels) left in CZ. I've travelled to Russia, Hungary & a few other eastern block countries & experienced similar. (Apparently, the Communists will be voted back in at the current elections.)

So I walked away with a silver, Octy FL hatch for $2.50.

Despite all that, the Skoda Museum is worth the visit.

We were too flat-out the rest of the trip to contemplate trying to track down any parts or accessories.

The wife's cousin-in-law has a Mk1 Octy. It's done >300,000km and still going strong.

[bobski]

Didn't the factory tour as it has to be booked in advance & I didn't know what day we'd be there.

Bleh, did the same thing. Turned up on the day they did the tour and missed out :/ I'd read its one of the few European tours where you can go onto the production line? (probably ask you to pop in a dashboard while you're there)