When Marián first saw his future Octavia, it wasn’t love at first sight. It was more like love at first memory.

“When I was a child, I used to sit in the back seat while my father was driving our Octavia,” he says.

That simple memory – an ordinary ride in the back seat – awakened in him the desire to travel several decades back in time.

For Marián, the restored Octavia is not just a car. It is a piece of the past that he rebuilt with his own hands.

“It’s a family treasure. When I look at it or go for a drive with my family, it gives me a wonderful feeling,” he adds.

Year of Manufacture and Origin

Marián’s car is a 1962 Škoda Octavia, model 702. He found it through a classified ad in the Banská Bystrica region in February 2025. Its condition? Almost a bare body shell without doors, fenders, or windows – and definitely not roadworthy. “It was just a base,” he says.

So what convinced him that this was the right one? “The floor, the roof, and the frame were in good condition. I felt it was worth saving,” he explains. He also bought a second Octavia for spare parts, knowing that a long journey lay ahead.

Original Condition – A Last-Minute Rescue

Before the restoration, it was more a car shell than a complete automobile. The engine was missing, essential parts were missing, and certainty was missing as well. Yet something encouraged Marián: the bodywork was in exceptionally good condition, without deep corrosion. “That doesn’t happen very often,” he says.

He struggled the most with the brake lines, which he managed to break several times, and with adjusting the fenders. Otherwise, he didn’t see the problems as obstacles, but rather as a natural part of the journey.

The Restoration Process – Long Days, Barborka,” and Stubborn Determination

The restoration lasted until July 2025, and Marián worked on the car every day, sometimes for as long as 12 hours. “My wife would occasionally come and ask if I even knew what time it was,” he laughs. In the end, the car was given the name Barborka, although his wife insisted on calling her simply Barbora – with a slight hint of jealousy.

He did everything himself. When he wasn’t sure about something, he consulted only a friend who works in a workshop. The most demanding part was the electrical system: “I had to measure every single wire.” And the biggest battle? The brake lines. “I had to redo them three times, using trial and error.”

When asked whether he ever doubted himself, his answer is clear:

“No. I took a break, got some sleep, and continued in the morning. I’m patient and stubborn – and above all, passionate.”

The greatest joy came from working on the engine:

“When I was assembling the engine, I could already feel the tension. I was looking forward to hearing its sound. At that moment, I completely shut out the world around me.”

Cooperation with Pragos – The Parts That Made

the Difference

Marián discovered Pragos through Google while searching for parts that were unavailable elsewhere. “At Pragos, I found components I couldn’t get anywhere else – for example, the sill trim,” he says.

He was concerned about shipping from the Czech Republic to Slovakia, as the trim piece is approximately 1.6 meters long. “But it arrived perfectly packaged. Everything was fine. It was a real relief.”

Pragos helped him with key engine components, body parts, and other essentials. He is still looking for rubber floor mats, but the most crucial support was the fast delivery of the sill trims – without them, the restoration could not have been completed.

The First Start – A Moment Etched in Memory

When Barborka came back to life for the first time after many years, it was a moment that is hard to put into words. Marián remembers it with a smile:

“I was jumping around the yard, and the neighbors were worried about what was happening. The sound of the engine was beautiful. In that moment, I knew that all the time I had invested truly meant something.”

He went for his first drive in a recreational area of his hometown. That’s where things started to happen:

“Neighbors came over, people I didn’t even know lived nearby. Many of them started reminiscing, saying they had once driven the same kind of Octavia.”

The car became a magnet for memories and new connections. And at home?

“My wife said, ‘thank God,’” Marián laughs. “She knew I’d finally be able to spend more time with her.”

Today, what brings him the greatest joy is the drive itself – and the reactions of people around him. “They give me a thumbs-up. I was surprised by how many people react when I’m out driving.”

Advice for Other Restorers

Marián is clear about it:

“Definitely go for it. It’s an experience. When the work is finished, it’s like an athlete reaching the finish line. A rush of endorphins.”

He also shared a clever trick of his own for fitting the windows:

“For the wedge, I used a 9 mm socket. It needs to be longer and easy to hold. Just lubricate it a little and it works perfectly. I didn’t want to wait for a special tool—I was impatient.”

Barborka is now safely stored away for the winter, and Marián is already looking forward to taking her out again in spring—but only in nice weather, he adds.

His story is proof that restoring a classic car isn’t just technical work. It’s a journey back in time, a family project, therapy, joy, stubborn determination—and above all, heart. ♥️

(Mr. Marián has agreed to the publication of the photos and his name in this article on Pragos.cz.)

Do you also have a story about restoring your dream classic car and want to share it with our community?

No problem—contact us, just like Marián did, at veteran@pragos.cz, and after a quick arrangement, we’ll be happy to publish your story.