183
Editor's Letter
The new book of the anthology tells about
all the cars, produced at AVTOVAZ. Each of these
models is a page of history, which is dear to all
generations of AVTOVAZ workers, and each
character of the book is a witness of this history.
This volume of the anthology is an attempt to
remember those people who built, created and
produced, those people who are not with us
anymore, those people who are considered to be
a legend of AVTOVAZ. I am sure that all of them,
regardless of rank, deserve to be remembered
fondly and with respect. They say that the origins
of future victories are in the past. Our past is
excellent, and if we do not forget and betray it,
AVTOVAZ will succeed. I'm sure!
[5]
Words of Welcome from
the Governor of the Samara Region
The Governor of the Samara Region Nikolay
Merkushkin says that the residents of the Samara
region can be proud of their land. All the major
centers of aircraft, aerospace, automotive and
chemical industries are located here. There are
great expectations connected with a new phase
in the development of AVTOVAZ. Today the plant
produces rather modern cars. The share of cars
in the Samara region is in two times more than
in the entire country. Every fourth automobilist
drives a LADA car. We must continue moving
forward and doing everything possible so that the
achievements of our work would be appreciated
by the descendants.
[6]
PART 1.
Landmarks of History
Evolution of Lada Cars
The history of AVTOVAZ began in 1966 when
FIAT, one of the leading European concerns of
that time, provided the Soviet automotive industry
with its latest achievements. For a short time
the engineers of VAZ had not just mastered the
advanced technology of mechanical engineering,
but even took a step forward. In this article we
will see the way of developing and realization of
engineering thoughts of AVTOVAZ.
[8]
The First and the Most Familiar One
2101
Adventures of an Italian in Russia
The first car was famous «Kopeyka». FIAT-
124, a new and highly successful model of the
Italian automaker, was presented in Turin on the
2nd of April 1966. This very model was selected
for the future production at VAZ. Obviously this car
did not suit for Russian roads. To understand its
behavior in Russian environment it was decided to
use Dmitrov testing track. The first models arrived
right from the FIAT in July 1966. A set of problems
was identified during the test. The car body was
tend to wear off too fast, the rear disc brake turned
out to be inadaptable as well, the engine itself
became old-fashioned. AVTOVAZ start working at
a new engine, which was also tested, in particular
in frost. When the process of adaptation of an
Italian automobile to Russian roads was finished,
the result happened to be essentially different.
The Different Car
The main distinction of 2101 from FIAT-
124 was its engine, which was overhead-valved
and had increased displacement volume. This
one came out extremely successful and became
one of the parts of all the equipment of VAZ
“classical models” for long. The construction of
synchromesh was improved in the transmission,
the dimensions of the clutch was enlarged, the
road clearness was widened, some other parts
were replaced or strengthen, particularly the coil
springs and the ball-units. The rear disc brakes
were substituted by drum ones and the car body
became more secure. Externally the car has also
undergone through some modifications. For
example, outside mirrors and some towing holes
were added. The advice of the Pirelli company
to equip the machine with radial tires was come
by. As a result, the car was produced with old-
fashioned diagonal tires for many years. However,
it was only about the home market – export always
got the better rubber.
From Zhiguli to Lada
The main mass of the parts for the first six
cars of model 2101 came from Turin. The only
parts that had been welded and painted at VAZ
were the carbodies. The word Zhiguli sounded
quite dissonant. Consequently the decision of
renaming the future global brand into Lada was
made.
The car immediately became very popular
in Russia. It sounded much better than outdated
Moskvich, Volga and Zaporozhets. The car was
distinguished by some technical innovations
as well. The car-owners appreciated the warm
driver’s cabin and the reliable engine that
managed to start in winter frost. In 2000 according
to the results of the nationwide survey conducted
by the magazine Za Rulem, the model 2101 was
named "Russian car of the century".
Upgrade No. 1
In 1974 it was decided to improve the 2101.
The name was changed into 21011. The main
differencewas thenew1.3-liter engine. Itscapacity
Summary
has been increased from 62 to 67 horsepower. The
car body was also slightly customized. The front
and rear bumpers were modified. The electrical
equipment was also touched by changes. There
was also a model with 1.2-litre engine. However,
this one, having an index 21013, didn’t gain much
popularity. In totally, the model 21011 turned out
quite successful.
Universal
2102
It was still the same 2101 model, but “sedan”
version. It became very essential for the Russian
roads. The car came out in September 1971. This
model was in great demand. However, this was
a limited edition and therefore 2102 was always
in short supply. There were very few differences
between the basic version and the new one: the
rear part of the car body was changed; a rear drop
door was added; headlights took a different form.
The gas tank and the spare wheel could be stored
under the trunk floor. Front and rear seats could
slide backwards, so the car could be used to carry
large loads.
Five-Passenger Luxe Edition
2103
The Twins
According to the contract with FIAT there had
to be production of two cars: No. 1 is "basic edition"
and No. 2 is "luxe edition". The Italians offered
their FIAT-125 as the car No.2. Both cars had a
very low degree of standardization. FIAT- 125 had
a more powerful engine. But the soft suspension
of the car (which is certainly not bad for a "luxe
edition") needed a number of modifications in
addition. Eventually, this idea dropped out. At that
time the Italian plant was developing an improved
version of the basic car – 124S (Special). Both
projects went parallel, and, as a result, the 2103
and 124S models were more like two twins.
Demonstration in Plaster
A metal-plaster model of the car No.2 was
presented at the car demonstration in Turin. The
model was on wheels, so it could even roll around.
In general it was unbelievably realistic, although
there was no engine and the bonnet couldn't open.
But the driver’s cabin was fully stocked. However,
the cabin did not demand any testing. The only
innovation was the engine.
Glamour and Beauty
Assembly of the 2103 model started in
1972. The car was warmly welcome. The Russian
car owners had never seen this level of comfort
before. The Powerful 1.5-liter engine provided
the car with unseen by that time dynamics. The
Òåððèòîðèÿ áóäóùåãî
