It is a 2-door coupé derived from the Škoda 120 LS 4-door saloon,[5] powered by the same 1.2-litre (1174 cc) engine producing 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp).

Based on the revised Type 742M saloons, the facelifted model received larger headlamps and blocky, black plastic bumpers.

At the rear there were semi-trailing arms and coil springs, a major upgrade from the swing axle of earlier Škodas that gave safer and more predictable handling.

In the first years of production, the Rapid 120 used the same 1174 cc, 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) aluminium block, cast iron heads engine and four-speed gearbox as on the initial model.

These first series were made by BAZ in Bratislava and are known for being unreliable; production was gradually moved back to Škoda's small Kvasiny plant.

The Rapid 135 Ri and RiC received fuel injected versions (by Bendix) of the newer engine and were briefly available in some markets, including Britain and Austria.

Standard Rapid coupés were imported and converted in the UK by specialist Ludgate Design & Development (LDD ltd.) in Kent, and were sold through the official Škoda dealerships.

[6] The cars retained their window frames, and were reinforced with additional chassis bracing and a T-shaped rollbar similar to the Triumph Stag's.