VAZ-2101

VAZ 2101
Overview
Manufacturer AutoVAZ
Also called Lada 1200/1200S
Lada 1300
VAZ-2102
Production 1970–1988
Assembly Tolyatti, Soviet Union
Body and chassis
Class Compact car
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door estate
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Fiat 124
SEAT 124
Tofaş Murat 124
VAZ-2103
Powertrain
Engine 1.2 & 1.3 liters, carburetor
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,424 mm (95.4 in)
Length
  • 4,075 mm (160.4 in) (sedan)
  • 4,060 mm (160 in) (estate)
Width 1,610 mm (63 in)
Height 1,382 mm (54.4 in)
Curb weight 955 kg (2,105 lb)
Chronology
Successor VAZ-2103
Lada Riva

The VAZ-2101, commonly nicknamed "Zhiguli" and "Kopeyka" (for the smallest coin in the kopeyka), is a compact sedan car (small class, passenger car, model 1 in Soviet classification) produced by the Soviet manufacturer AvtoVAZ and introduced in 1970, the company's first product. The estate version was known as the VAZ-2102. The 2101 is a re-engineered version of the Fiat 124 produced under licence from Fiat and tailored for the nations of the Eastern Bloc, but was widely exported to the West as an economy car. Although the facelifted and modernised VAZ-2105, 2104 & 2107 versions largely replaced it in the West in the early 1980s, it was still produced for the domestic market as late as 1988. Known as the Zhiguli (for the hills found near the plant[1]) within the Soviet Union, the main differences between the VAZ-2101 and the Fiat 124 are the use of thicker gauge steel for the bodyshell, drum brakes on the rear wheels in place of disc brakes, and a bespoke engine. Early versions of the car featured a starting handle for cranking the engine manually should the battery go flat in Siberian winter conditions, and an auxiliary fuel pump.

AvtoVAZ were forbidden from selling the car in competing markets alongside Fiat 124; however, exports to Western Europe began in 1974 when the 124 was discontinued in favour of Fiat's newer 131 Mirafiori. The 2101 was sold in export markets as the Lada 1200, Lada 1300 and Lada 1200S until 1989; it was sold in the United Kingdom from May 1974, until the arrival of the Riva in 1983. It was the first Lada to be sold in the United Kingdom.[2]

The first year, 22,000 were produced, and capacity reached 660,000 by 1973.[1] Sales reached one million on 21 December 1973, and one and a half million in 1974.[1] In May 1974, it went on sale in Britain, priced at 979.[3]

The 2101 was built, virtually unaltered, from 1970 until 1982.[4]

Models

VAZ-2101

Lada 1200 in Hunedoara, Romania

VAZ-2102

The estate version of the VAZ-2101 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.[16] In May 1974, it went on sale in Britain, priced at 979.[3]

VAZ-2103

Main article: VAZ-2103

The 2103 (known in export markets as the Lada 1500) was very similar to the 2101 but can be identified by have four headlights and a squarer appearance to the front grill and a different interior. Some markets also received the VAZ-2106, or Lada 1600.

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 3 Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p.106.
  2. Peter Rogers. "Lada Owners Club of GB UK Lada history". Lada-owners-club.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Thompson, p.116.
  4. Thompson, p.104 caption.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thompson, p.109.
  6. Braunschweig, Robert; et al., eds. (11 March 1976). "Automobil Revue '76" (in German and French) 71. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG: 443–444. ISBN 3-444-60023-2.
  7. Thompson, p.16.
  8. Thompson, pp.109-110.
  9. 1 2 3 Thompson, p.110.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Thompson, p.111.
  11. Thompson, p.115.
  12. Thompson, pp.115 and 235-236.
  13. 1 2 Thompson, p.235.
  14. Thompson, p.236.
  15. Thompson, pp.115 and 236.
  16. Thompson, p.115 caption.
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