VAZ-2101

The VAZ-2101 "Zhiguli", commonly nicknamed "Kopeyka" (for the smallest Soviet coin, 1/100 of the Russian ruble), is a compact 4-door sedan or wagon, called small class, passenger car, model 1 in Soviet classification, and produced by the Soviet manufacturer AvtoVAZ, introduced in 1970 as the company's first product.

The car is a licence-built version of the Fiat 124, that was heavily modified and tailored for the rough climate and road conditions across the Soviet Union and much of the Eastern Bloc countries. Subsequently, it was widely, and successfully exported to the West under the Lada brand, for over two decades. The station wagon version (correspondingly based on the Fiat 124 Familiare) was known as the VAZ-2102.

Development

The lightweight Italian Fiat 124, which had won the 1967 European Car of the Year,[2] was adapted in order to survive treacherous Russian driving conditions. Among many changes, aluminium brake drums were added to the rear, and the original Fiat engine was dropped in favour of a newer design made by

Models

VAZ-2101 (1970–1982) — first variant was equipped with a 1198 cc engine (an overhead camshaft design, never used in a Fiat)[7] producing 60 PS and offering a 140 km/h top speed and 0 – in about 20 seconds.[8] Compared to the Fiat 124, 800 modifications were made in all,[7] including to rear brakes (discs to drums),[7] suspension (for higher ground clearance), carburettor, and some other parts in order to satisfy a wide range of Russian climate conditions, as well as thicker-gauge steel (so the 2101 weighed 945 kg, the Fiat 90 kg less[7]). All these models had soft suspension adapted to the local roads that provided a very comfortable ride even on tough gravel roads. Early models included a crank, in case the battery went flat (an item later dropped) and an auxiliary fuel pump.[7] In a short time Lada became a real hit in Soviet Union. The 2101 (and its first modifications) opened a new era in Russian motoring. Unfortunately, the Togliatti plant could not supply the consumer demand and people had to wait for years to get a chance to buy the car. Exports began 21 February 1971, to Yugoslavia, with 32 cars sent to Finland, Holland, and Belgium on 30 July.[7] After a competition in the Soviet automotive magazine Za Rulyom (At the Wheel[9]), which drew 1,812 entries, in September 1971 the name Lada (Russian for "harmony") was chosen,[10] and the export models would be called Lada 1200s.[11] Production was always behind demand, and price crept up, but by 1980, the wait for a new 2101 was down to a year.[11] The 2102 estate version started production 27 April 1972.[11] Sales to Cuba began in 1971 (and until 2006, Raúl Castro drove to work in his own saloon) and Canada in 1978, but none were exported to the U.S.[12] Angola received its first one thousand Ladas in 1977, in time becoming a significant buyer.[12]
21011 (1974–1981) — modified variant with a 67 hp 1294 cc engine.[12] Further changes included self-adjusting drum brakes on the rear axle, also fitted to the VAZ-2101. Flat front indicator lenses instead of the dome-shaped ones on the VAZ-2101. The "horns", or over-riders, on the bumpers were removed and replaced with a rubber strip running the whole length of the bumper. The rear lights were also smoothed in a similar manner to the indicator lenses and the passive reflector (previously a separate part underneath the main rear lights) was incorporated as a small, square-shaped part in the rear light cluster itself. The windshield pump was moved down and was operated by foot (rather than by rubber button on the dashboard VAZ 2101, which was operated with the push of a finger). The dashboard had a wood-effect plastic trim; the horn was placed on the steering wheel cover. The front and rear seats became more comfortable. Material and colouring of the instrument panel was changed from the original black on light grey to white on black, the instrument panel lighting was altered as well. On the rear pillars there were rectangular ventilation holes with grille, which were not present on the VAZ-2101. Four horizontal oval holes for improved air flow to the radiator appeared on the front panel just above the front bumper. The export series were designated the Lada 1300.
21012--right-hand drive saloon with the 1,198 cc four, entered production 22 May 1973, for export to Japan, Australia, and Britain (which proved a very successful market).[12]
21013 (1977–1988) — similar to VAZ-21011, 1198 cc engine, exported as the Lada 1200 with an upgraded version (incorporating the exterior and dashboard changes introduced with the VAZ-21011) called Lada 1200S.
21014 estate, with the 1198 cc four, entered production 22 May 1973, for export to Japan, Australia, and Britain (which proved a very successful market).[12]
21016 (1976–1981) — special modification, only available to Soviet police, 1452 cc engine (from VAZ-2103) in VAZ-21011 body.[13]
21018 (1978) — first series rotary engine modification for Soviet police & KGB with one-rotor 70 hp VAZ-311 Wankel engine with electronic ignition and twin-electrode sparking plugs.[14] It also featured a downdraft carburettor, with different jet sizes to the 2101, and two-stage aircleaner.[15] Presented to the public by 1982. Only 250 built.[15] Engine durability was an issue, wearing out at just 20,000 km.[16]
21019 Arkan (1983?) — second series rotary engine modification for Soviet police & KGB with two-rotor 120 hp VAZ-411 or VAZ-4132 Wankel engine.[17]

VAZ-2102

The estate version of the VAZ-2101 (based on the Fiat 124 Familiare) was known as the 2102 and was available from 1971. It was replaced by the 2104 (Lada Riva in some markets) in 1985. Over 660,000 were built by end of production in 1986.[18] In May 1974, it went on sale in Britain, priced at £979.[5]

VAZ-2102 (1971–1986) — also known as Lada 1200 Combi (1200 ES Estate).
VAZ-21021 (1974–1985) — equipped with 1,294 cc engine. Also known as Lada 1300 Combi. Export models got a rear washer/wiper.[5]
VAZ-21023 (1973–1985) — equipped with 1,452 cc engine. Also known as Lada 1500 Combi (1500 DL Estate). Export models got a rear washer/wiper.[5] Lada 1500 Estate sales in the UK started in October 1977 and ended in October 1985 as the Lada 1500 DL Estate.

VAZ-2103

The 2103 (known in export markets as the Lada 1500) was very similar to the 2101, and had many common features with the Fiat 124 Special that was developed at the same time as the 2103, but with an external trim closer to the larger and more upmarket Fiat 125. It can be identified by four headlights, a squarer appearance to the front grille, and a different interior. Some markets also received the VAZ-2106, or Lada 1600.

aka	Lada 1200/1200S Lada 1300 Lada 2101‡R1R‡ VAZ-2101
manufacturer	VAZ, now AvtoVAZ
assembly	Soviet Union: Togliatti, Samara Oblast
production	1970–1988
successor	VAZ-2105 VAZ-2104
class	Compact car
body style	4-door sedan 5-door estate
layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
engine	petrol: 1.2 L VAZ-2101 I4 1.3 L VAZ-21011 I4 1.5 L VAZ-2103 I4
transmission	4-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
wheelbase	2424 mm
length	4075 mm (sedan) 4060 mm (estate)
width	1610 mm
height	1382 mm
weight	955 kg
related	Fiat 124 SEAT 124 Murat 124 Premier 118NE VAZ-2103 VAZ-2106 VAZ-2107

VAZ-2101

Development

History

Models

VAZ-2101

VAZ-2102

VAZ-2103

Technical specifications

Gallery

See also

References