The rear-wheel drive sedan of a small class and, part-time "Firstborn" of the Volga Automobile Plant - VAZ-2101 - "appeared on the light" on April 19, 1970 - it was then that the first six copies of the newly minted model came down from the conveyor of the Togliatti enterprise ...

But her story began wherever earlier - back in 1966, the USSR Ministry of Automotive Industry signed the General Agreement with Fiat, borrowing them from four -road Fiat 124 for their "penny". True, reincarnated in the VAZ-2101, the Italian "donor" was subjected to significant changes: he was finalized by the exterior and interior, they separated new motors, increased clearance, increased the suspension and body, and also made a lot of other "edits".

In 1974, the model of the VAZ-21011 was debuted, which (compared to the basic "counterclaim" received a corrected appearance, a more convenient salon and an enlarged engine (up to 1.3 liters) volume.

The "life" cycle of the three-block continued until 1988, and during this period he broke up in the amount of more than 2.7 million pieces.

Outside the VAZ-2101 has very pretty, concise and balanced, but outdated (according to modern standards), the appearance in which there are no memorable design moves.

Friendly front with round headlights, between which the grille of the radiator, and a chrome-plated "beam" of the bumper, a classic three-volume silhouette with a high roof line, flat sides and a long "trunk process", imperious feed with narrow lamps and a neat bumper - exterior The car is simple and unacceptable.

According to its dimensions, "Kopeyk" refers to the "B-class" (according to European classification): it is lengthy by 4043 mm, it reaches 1611 mm into the width, does not exceed 1440 mm in height. The base of the wheels takes 2424 mm from the four-terminal, and its ground clearance Holds 170 mm.

In a curb form, the car weighs at least 955 kg, and her full mass equals 1355 kg.

The interior of the VAZ-2101 is decorated in full compliance with external species - It looks modestly on all fronts, but at the same time it is quite thoughtful ergonomics. A large double rud with a thin rim, an extremely simple combination of devices that provides only the necessary minimum of information, an extremely discreet front panel with round ventilation deflectors, two "sliders" of the heating system, ashtray and a radio receiver - according to modern standards, the decoration of the sedan is fully and completely.

Formally, the salon "Kopeika" has a five-seater arrangement, but only two people will be able to be pressed on the second row, and they will not make a surplus of free space. And in front, and behind the car is equipped with amorphous seats without head restraints that have a flat profile (even without a hint of lateral support) and a soft filler.

The trunk of the VAZ-2101 is ascetic: it has an intricate form, and almost everywhere there is an uncomplicated metal. The volume of the freight compartment at the four-door is 325 liters, but this is taking into account the full-size spare wheel, which is fixed inside on the left side.

The Soviet sedan is offered with two four-cylinder petrol "atmospheric" with a vertical layout, a top camshaft, a fuel carburetor injection and a 8-valve MRR structure:

• Vaz- 2101 (LADA-1200) is equipped with a 1.2 liter engine, which generates 64 horsepower At 5,600 rev / minutes and 89 nm of rotating potential at 3400 rpm.
• Vaz- 21011 (LADA-1300) is driven by a 1.3-liter engine, developing 69 hp At 5,600 a / minute and 96 Nm of torque at 3400 rpm.

By default, the three-unit is equipped with a 4-speed "manual" gearbox and leading wheels rear axis.

From space up to 100 km / h, the car accelerates after 18-22 seconds, and its maximum features are "resting" in 140-145 km / h.

In the combined mode of motion, the four-door consumes from 8.2 to 9.2 liters of fuel to each "hundred" depending on the modification.

At the heart of VAZ-2101 is a rear-wheel drive "Trolley", borrowed from the Fiat 124 model, which implies the longitudinal location power plant In front and presence of a carrier steel body.

The front of the sedan is equipped with an independent suspension on dual transverse levers with telescopic shock absorbers, twisted springs and stabilizer transverse stability, and behind the dependent design with a rigid beam attached to the cozoi one transverse and four longitudinal rods. The car is equipped with a steering mechanism with a two-graze roller and a global "worm", as well as a brake system with disk front and drum rear devices.

On the secondary market Russia in 2018 VAZ-2101 can be purchased at a price of ~ 15 thousand rubles, but the cost of some copies (close to the original state) can reach a million rubles.

Among the advantages of the sedan, the owners usually allocate: a simple and reliable design, high maintenance, affordable content, moderately craft engines, large ground clearance, good level Assembly, unpretentiousness to the quality of fuel and much more.

Enough in the car and disadvantages: outdated technical "filling", low dynamic and speed characteristics, low level Security and other points.

"Zhiguli" VAZ-2101 - a small Soviet car, the first model, created under the license of the Italian concern "Fiat" based on the Fiat 124 model. The car was produced from 1971 to 1982, 2 million 700 thousand units were collected, and thus, The car can rightly be considered folk. At the same time, the cost of the car completely corresponded to its status. Basic "pennies" VAZ-2101, as the motorists nicknamed it, laid the beginning of a variety of VAZ models, this is a multiple 2102, improved VAZ-2103, upgraded 2106, models 2105 and 2107. All of them were assembled on the chassis 2101 using the parameters and characteristics of the verified " Kopey. "

Agreement with the Italian car concern

In August 1966, a license agreement was signed in the Moscow Department of Vneorga on the Italian firm "Fiat" on cooperation in the field of production passenger cars. Under the terms of the contract, a project for the construction of a plant on the territory of the USSR was approved for the release of three models prototypes Fiat 124: VAZ-2101 (sedan), VAZ-2102 (wagon) and a luxury car - VAZ-2103.

"Fiat 124" and Russian roads

When the Italian Fiat 124 brought to russian expensive For testing for a number of parameters, the results were disappointing. The car categorically could not be operated in the roads of off-road USSR.

The main problems were in the insufficient strength of the boxed body made of fine metal, the inefficiency of the rear disc brakes and low ground clearance. The body was simply twisted when driving on potholes and uhabam, its design was designed for the maximum wide window openings of the front and rear window, the thin racks could not withstand the "twisting" loads. The rear brakes simply did not work, and the low sediment of the car was the cause of shocks about the soil of the crankcase pallet and the protruding elements of the front suspension.

As a result of the tests, the future model of the VAZ-2101, the characteristics of which needed a refinement, received the rear brakes of the drum type, the road clearance was increased by 30 millimeters, and the body, instead of point welding, copied now completely in all connections. In addition, the engine camshaft was moved to the bottom, this was done for the convenience of the Soviet owners of the car, which were used to independently adjust the valve gaps. The process was simple, starred air filter From the carburetor, and the camshaft cover became fully accessible. It was necessary to unscrew eight nuts, pressed it to the cylinder block. After removing the lid, scrolled according to a specific scheme, in the desired order, with such a calculation, so that the valves are alternately released. Each valve was checked for a gap between its shank and a rocker. If necessary, the gap decreased or increased. After the gaps on all valves were checked, the lid closed, the air filter was installed back, and the car was ready for further operation.

The first six copies of the VAZ-2101 model, the photo of which are presented in the article, collected in April 1970, the conveyor was tested in August, and on a given, but not complete power, the assembly workshop came out in the next, 1971. Then 172,176 cars were released. In 1972, 379,008 cars have left the conveyor, and in full force the plant earned in 1974. In the course of production, the model was improved, painting technologies were worked out, the best materials were selected for complete noise insulation and increasing the overall level of comfort.

Indexing

To index the cars produced on the Togliatti automobile industry, it was decided to apply the accounting standards in accordance with the industry document of the Ministry of the Automobile Industry - it is 025270-66, which contained the regulation of the classification of vehicles.

According to the prescription, each new model must be assigned a four-digit index, the first two digits of which are the designation of the class of the machine and its purpose. The following two digits are a model. Each vehicle modification is assigned an additional, fifth digit, sequence number. Operation of the VAZ-2101 largely depended on the digits of the index, since the machines were distributed through climatic belts. The sixth digit of the index indicates the climatic binding: 1 - for the cold climate, 6 is an export vehicle for moderate conditions, 7 is an export option for tropics, 8 and 9 - backup positions for other export modifications. Separate cars Indicated both transients, digital combinations - 01, 02, 03, 04, and so on. As a rule, the digital set precedes an alphabetic designation that determines the factory that is permanently producing this car model.

Power point

The VAZ-2101 model was equipped with highly restored gasoline engine, with a capacity of 64 liters. p., With the volume of cylinders of 1300 cubic meters. See the design repeated the main parameters of widespread row, four-cylinder motors. The timing consisted of a drive gear, stretching mechanism, camshaft and cams leading to the valve motion. Lubrication provided a pump, running oil under pressure throughout the engine system. Cooling was carried out using non-freezing liquid type "Tosol" circulating closed contour With the passage through the radiator. The combustible mixture was served by a single-chamber diffuser ignition provided a rotary type contact breaker associated with the drive as a whole, the engine was reliable force aggregate, economical and inexpensive in service.

Transmission

On the VAZ2101, a mechanical 4-speed gearbox was installed with the following gear ratios:

• 3.75 - first transmission;
• 2.30 - second gear;
• 1.49 - third gear;
• 1.00 - fourth (straight) transmission;
• 3.87 - Transfer rear stroke;
• gears of the front-wheel drive - the engagement constant;
• reversing gears - straight;
• synchronizers - on all transmissions, except for the rear;
• switching control - floor lever;

Rotation transmission to rear wheels

The VAZ-2101 car was produced only in the rear-wheel drive. Torque was transmitted through cardan Val. with integrated support. Cross with an intermediate link between the cardan and the flange of the planetary mechanism. Through the differential, the rotation was transmitted to two semi-axes of the rear axle associated with which the wheels were attached using four bolts.

Brake system

Central hydraulics, steel pipelines, disk calipers on the front wheels and drums on the rear. Such is the brake system VAZ-2101, efficient and structurally reliable. Front brakes disk non-ventilated, cast iron design, combined with the hub, provided mileage without replacing 60 thousand kilometers. The front brake caliper consisted of two cylinders, with self-repairing pistons, which under the action of hydraulics were pressed on the brake pads, pressing them to the disk from two sides.

The rear brakes of VAZ-2101, drum, self-regulating, consisted of two blocks, brake cylinders and the drum directly to which the wheels are mounted. TO brake mechanisms The rear wheels were supplied by an eccentric of the parking brake, which was connected by means of a flexible cable with a tensioner lever installed in the cabin between the front seats.

Chassis

The front suspension VAZ-2101, independent, consists of two stamped levers mounted on the front beam using silent blocks. The upper and lower levers are connected to the pivoting pin with ballproofs. The left and right lever pair combines a special profiled rod of transverse stability, which extends to the assignment of this device consists in absorbing the oscillations of the front suspension.

Car VAZ-2101, pendulum, consists of levers connecting the body and rear axle brackets on the principle of hinged interaction. Also rear axle And the body connects the beam of transverse stability, which does not allow the wheels to move in the horizontal plane relative to the body.

Both front and rear suspension Based on steel twisted spirals combined with hydraulic shock absorbers.

Cost of VAZ-2101

Most cars that have come down from the conveyor in Togliatti have passed several times overhaul. Weakness VAZ-2101, photos confirm this, front wings that are subject to through corrosion In places above the wheel arch, as well as thresholds that are poorly protected from entering the water and dirt. Nevertheless, in general, a reliable car is still selling and bought. VAZ-2101, the price of which fluctuates within certain limits can be purchased from hand or in the car dealership for the sale of used machines. Some well-kept specimens, with rare signs, can cost enough, they are bought mainly for the collection, and not for travel. Old car VAZ-2101 brands, requiring repair costs about 20 thousand rubles. Machines on the go, in good conditionare expected to be more expensive, in the range of 30-80 thousand rubles, and rare, with a flawless interior, a silent engine and a sparkling exterior rise in price to 150,000 rubles, and sometimes higher.

This sedan was a dream of every Soviet motorist. He combined not only an attractive design, but also good riding properties. In addition, the "penny" became the first car of the Volga Automobile Plant, which laid the foundation for future enterprise models.

VAZ 2101 began to be made in 1970 and descended from the assembly line only in 1986. The founder of the Soviet sedan became FIAT 124. From the "Italian" platform and some designer body solutions, as well as the salon, were borrowed.

At the same time, the suspension was seriously reworked, as well as the brake system - under the harsh climatic conditions, in order to improve the reliability of these nodes and components.

The front suspension is made multi-dimensional, while on the rear axle a semi-dependent beam on torsion elements is installed. Disc brakes - only in front. Rear wheels stop drums.

Lada 2101 was available for the buyer in two modifications that have different specifications:

• 2101. Equipped with a 1.2 liter motor with a capacity of 64 horsepower, which is working in a bit with a four-speed mechanical transmission.
• 21011. Such a "penny" has an improved body design, as well as additional internal amenities. Under the hood is a 1.3 liter engine that develops 69 forces. It is equipped with 4mkp.
• 21013. Version of late years of release. It is driven by setting 1.2 liters (64 "Horses")

New "Kopeika" VAZ 2101

It is noteworthy that they do not forget about VAZ 2101 and today. For example, on the facilities of the Togliatti autohydia from April 1 to 19, 2016, a limited batch of "Kopeika" was produced, the circulation of which was the symbolic 124 units of the model.

A new classic could only be bought to those who owned at that time exactly the same car.

In addition, AvtoVAZ planned to revive model 2101 in a new image and even distributed official renders of the future classic prototype over the Internet.

Machine debut was scheduled for 2017. However, soon the leadership of the brand abandoned such an idea and the project closed, and did not have time to obtain development.

National Opinion

Despite the fact that the "penny" has not been produced for a long time, she still enjoys honor and respect.

Reviews say that many celebrate a comfortable salon with high quality assembly, as well as excellent riding properties of this model. Engines have a good resource, non-addicts to fuel, and the suspension resistant tolerates the broken roads.

Tuning is widespread. So, to increase the power potential of the engine and its best tractivity, the craftsmen are cleaned with cylinders, change the carburetor to a more productive, and also set distributional shafts With a different cam profile.

More detailed information on the finalization of the domestic sedan is set out in the photo, video that are posted on thematic Internet resources.

Market value

Test Drive

Nothing extra

The design of "kopecks" is concise, at the same time the body itself has some rapidness. Modest external dimensions skillfully disguised as a competent layout of the optics of head lighting, long hood and trunk, as well as overhead bumpers. The abundance of chrome elements (radiator grille, bumpers, side mirrors) gives the domestic sedan respectability.

With a hint of more

The salon is assembled in a well-panel of the panels gently and without gaps, and when moving, nothing creaks. It is commendable and the quality of finishing materials. Namely, the plastic is fuel to the touch, the pseudochege, which the covered seats, the door cards are not inclined to climb and is easy to clean.

The dashboard is extremely informative - the control lamps are in the visibility zone and large enough. Speedometer, fuel / coolant level pointers due to large digitization are also well read, moreover, they look pretty.

The center of Torpedo is located a climate installation unit, which is adjusted by sliders. Next to the "stove" is a spacious ashtray.

Front chairs with a flat profile, missing lateral support do not provide proper fixation of the body. However, their pillow area is optimal for large people, and the lack of profile is compensated for in the far road with reasonable softness.

The rear sofa is comfortable even for three people, but for knees of space, very little - only a passenger will be comfortable, an increase in no more than 165 centimeters. The volume of the trunk is 325 liters, but it is not very convenient to use it because of the large loops of the body cover, convex wheeled arches.

Reasonable compromise

The capabilities of the base motor 1.2 liter for the sedan, the mass of which is 955 kilograms, is enough. Of course, the dynamics of modern standards are far from ideal, but the engine itself is convenient in control.

Confidently touching the place allows good thrust on low revs, and on the average one can already actively maneuver in the total flow due to the exacerbation of the accelerator pedal reaction. Transmission numbers The transmissions are not bad, but its selectivity is mediocre.

The steering is quite informative and obedient when driving up to 80 kilometers per hour. If you move at higher speed, then you need to be prepared for unstable course stability - it manifests itself in the arms of the car on the road. At the same time, the steering wheel begins noticeably peeling, and also loses most of his informativeness.

Long-terrestrial suspension allows significant rolls, star. But, it is capable of playing even large road potholes. The smoothness of the course in most cases remains high, however, the sound of the chassis may seem obsessive.

Photo Lada 2101:

VAZ -2101 or simply "Zhiguli" is one of famous cars Soviet production, the descendants of which were produced as much as 2012. During its existence, he underwent quite serious changes and received several awards and premiums, so let's tell about how the life path of this car was

Union with Fiat.

The very first VAZ 2101 was released on the Volga automotive factory. This happened due to the signing of the agreement in 1966 between the Italian FIAT company and the Soviet "foreign trade" on cooperation in the development of passenger cars. It was within the framework of this agreement that the project for the construction of a plant for cars was adopted on the territory of the USSR.

According to preliminary agreements, several cars should be issued at once. It was supposed to be 2 cars with a sledge sedan in the configuration rate, and one car wagon in the suite of the suite. If we talk about where the concept of class vehicles at all came from, then Fiat 124 was defined as a prototype, which in the next year received the title of "car of the year"

What did not fit Fiat 124

When Soviet scientists and specialists took care of the study and testing of the car, taken as the basis for the development of their own car, several drawbacks were revealed immediately, which were to be eliminated when developing a car, which will be called in the future not otherwise as VAZ-2101. First of all, experts noticed that Fiat 124 is not suitable for our roads because of the extremely small road lumen and the complete absence of tow-trams, without which the car would be hard to use off-road.
In addition, the car body itself was not reliable and strong and could hardly withstand the intensity of operation, which was assumed to the Soviet car.

What VAZ-2101 has become better FIAT 124

Italian engineers took into account all the wishes of the Soviet researchers and the future Zhiguli acquired brake mechanisms on the rear axle, improved front and fundamentally new suspension on the rear axle and improved gearbox. This is not a complete list of improvements that were made in Fiat124R - Russified model of Italian FIATA.
Total changes have more than 800 and some of these comments were subsequently used in personally by Fiat in the development of new cars of its series. These requirements of Soviet engineers and researchers helped FIAT company to collect unique information about the reliability and passability of their brand cars in off-road.

The first six VAZ-2101

The very first six cars came from the conveyor on April 19, 1970, so that this day can be called the birthday of "Zhiguli". It is worth noting that the first cars were only two color versions and 2 blue and 4 red cars were released.

These first 6 prototypes showed excellent results on tests and refinement turned out to be minimal, so that in August 1970 the plant earned in full capacity. And the power of the plant really impressed. By the end of the year, 21530 cars were released in Togliatti in Togliatti
The plant gradually increased momentum and has already managed to produce 379 007 "Zhiguli for the year.

Why exactly "Zhiguli"

In fact, the name of the VAZ-2101 could be completely different. According to one version of the name, it was born at the factory, and was approved back in 1976, and on the other, it was invented on a competitive basis. On the intermediate result of the competition in 1970, wrote the magazine "Driving". There was also published and a list of 1812 names, which were selected by the Commission for consideration. In total, about 55,000 titles were sent, some of which were funny, part funny, and the part is ridiculous.
How could be called VAZ-2101:

• Violet
• Falcon
• Geroralozhsev
• Memorial
• Youth
• Dream
• Directive
• Falcon

One way or another, but the final title was "Zhiguli", and a little later, in the people, this car was not called anything other than the "penny" per unit at the end of the model number.

Modern motorists adapt VAZ-2101 even for drifts:

Classification and numbering

It is worth saying that in addition to essential improvements compared with the Italian prototype, the domestic zhiguli became the first car produced in the USSR, which received such a document as Normal it 025370-66. This document regulated the classification and system for the designation of rolling stock.

Now each new car series or trailer was assigned a four-digit number, the two first digits of which were denoted by the class of a car or trailer, and the last two is his model. Sometimes the fifth digit, which said that this car is a modification of a certain model and could be immediately understood which changes are made in this car.

We also sometimes used additional numbers in the room. The sixth digit could show for which climate the car is intended and whether it was intended for imports. In rare cases, additional numbers, which showed that this car was introduced through the hyphen, which showed that this car is an intermediate modification of the car.

Comparison of VAZ-2101 (1970) and Lada Granta. (2012)

It is precisely because of this, looking at the inscription VAZ-21011 you can immediately understand that this car is made on the Volga Auto Plant (VAZ), refers to a small class of cars with an engine from 1200 to 1800 cubic centimeters (21) and is the first model of this car in this class (01) With the first version of the modification, which differs from the original installation of the engine at 1,300 cubic centimeters (1).

VAZ-2101 modifications

In the entire history of the existence of this car, many different modifications were issued. Among them were cars intended solely for the needs of the plant, where Zhiguli was produced, and even such interesting decisions as Limousine Limousines, which were used abroad for a long time abroad.

VAZ- 2101.

This is the very first option of the "penny", which enjoyed greatly popular both among motorists and among the developers themselves. Nothing amazing is that this car has become the basis for future modifications, because it was extremely successful. It is worth noting that the VAZ-2101 was equipped with a 1.2 liter engine.

The first modification we mentioned above. The main difference from the traditional "penny" in this model is the engine. It was much more powerful than in the previous version of the car, and its volume was increased to 1.3 liters.
The car also has undergone enough changes and in terms of design. Basically, these changes dealt with improved cooling radiator ventilation - four additional slits appeared ahead and the shape of the radiator grille was changed. Also, the reverse lights were installed on this modification from 1974 to 1983 inclusive.

The main difference of this modification from the VAZ-21011 is less powerful engineIdentical to what was installed on the original "penny" (1.2 liters) otherwise, the changes made in 21011 were preserved in version 21013.

Zhiguli was produced for export and these cars knew under the name LADA 1200 in almost all countries of the socialist community. First of all, they appeared in Czechoslovakia, GDR, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Hungary and the total number of such cars numbered more than 57 thousand cars.
Over time, Lada 1200 deserves respect among foreign motorists and already very soon these cars could be seen on the roads of Germany, Austria, France and even Nigeria.

VAZ-21012 and VAZ-21014

Slava Zhiguli was not limited to the Soviet Union. Especially for countries with left-sided movement, two modifications of the Zhiguli were released at once. First of all, they were distinguished by the right-sided location of the steering wheel and the reinforced spring suspension of the right front wheel. The fact is that when transferring controls to the other side, the mass of the car began to distribute unevenly and had to organize such a compensation system. In total, these cars were produced from 1974 to 1982.

Nothing in the Soviet Union did not disappear for nothing and even defective Zhiguli. Instead of writing them with due to body defects, they were reworked into pickups and later were used for the needs of the plant. Simply, the entire back of the roof was cut off immediately behind the front seats and a new cab wall was installed. Rear doors It was brewed to increase the stiffness of the structure and as a result, the carrying capacity of such pickups could be 300 kg.
Of course, in the series, such cars did not go out, but some lovers even independently carried out such improvements over their "kopecks".

Limousine VAZ 2101

No matter how comical it sounds, but cars such a modification not only existed, but also enjoyed great popularity in Cuba. Here they were used as route taxi And they coped with this task quite easily.

Many interesting stories go about this car, which managed to love to domestic motorists, but the most unusual of these facts should be described separately, because a penny at least has been removed from production, still often occurs on our roads.

Starter and starting handle

Soviet auto industry can not be reproached in unintention. In a bag with tools for repair, which was attached to the car, it was possible to find a starting handle. Of course, it might lead to the horror of foreigners, but in the instruction it was written that it was intended solely to launch a car in very cold winters or after a long parking lot. According to the approvals of the instructions, you needed to check the handle several times when neutral transmission and the ignition turned off, after which it was possible to spend normal launch With starter

Outboard pedal accelerator and glass factory

Such an accessory as an accelerator pendant pedal appeared only in the VAZ-21011. Before that, in the traditional penny, the gas pedal was with an outdoor installation. Outdoor glass wool button also appeared together with the first modification of the car, because it was located on dashboard Next to switching the glasswater modes and the light switch.

Foreign spare parts in VAZ-2101

Naturally, not all the details used for the release of the first Zhiguli were domestic. Under the hoods of some kopecks it was possible to find carburetors from Weber, some cars were equipped with non-collapsed foreign-made shock absorbers, which were much more reliable and durable domestic. The same situation and ignition candles.

Curiosities with logo

There were three types of Lyguli emblems. The most famous of them was a silver switter on a ruby \u200b\u200bbackground, which was conquered at all VAZ-2101 since 1971. But the fact is that on the cars of 1970 the released icon was still complemented by the inscription "Tolyatti" was released by such emblems, it was very small, since already a year later it was ordered to remove the inscription, demasking the location of the automobile plant, which at the time was considered an extremely important strategic object. The car with such a logo is a real rarity.

However, an even more rare logo is a mistakenly made logo with the letter "I" on the Latin "R". It happened because of the fact that the first batch of emblems was ordered at the Fiat plant in Turin and there the Italians simply confused the letters to be confused. All emblems, and there were about 30 pieces, Vaz employees simply disassembled souvenirs and now this emblem is very valued, but it is almost impossible to get it.

Total assessment of VAZ-2101

According to general estimates of motorists and experts, VAZ-2101 became a real breakthrough and celebration in the Soviet Auto Grieve. Even young motorists who received the rights recently could use this car with practically no restrictions. The limitations concerned only speeds during the rolling in the car. Thanks to the "penny", Soviet motorists realized that even in a small car, you can feel comfortable, not to freeze in the winter and talking in the cabin without increasing your voice. Of course, in many ways it was merit and Italian partners, because from Fiat 124 our Zhiguli took a lot.

Engine launch B. winter No longer turned into a ritual with soldering lamps and buckets with hot water, as it was before. With the advent of VAZ-2101, motorists accounted for even without a starter handle, which for the most part it became possible thanks to the two-chamber carburetor WEBER 32 DCR, which were more perfect compared to the Soviet analogues of that era.
These carburetors began to be published later in the Soviet Union under the labeling of DAAZ-2101 and over time even moved under the hoods of the Volga and other domestic cars, where they carefully installed by the hands of motorists.

In general, the appearance of the VAZ-2101 was a real breakthrough in the car market in the Soviet Union and even now from this car, not all and they can still be found on the streets of cities.

The choice fell on FIAT mainly for political reasons: the Communist Party of the USSR supported the party of other capitalist developed countries, especially Italy and France. There were new people in foreign communist parties. jobs and The construction of the plant in Toleyatti solved their problems. Aitalian specialists and builders built the plant, provided all necessary documentation. The consultations with the VAZ engineers and participated in the development of new models. The first batch of logos was also produced in Italy, which has increased interest among collectors.

Prototype VAZ 2101 became car Fiat. 124 Models of 1966 with an engine of 1.2 liters and trim of the cabin of the initial level. In 1965, they were conquered by the title "Car of the Year".

January 3, 1967 Construction of Volzhsky car factory It was applied by the All-Union Shock Komsomol Construction. The people were aimed at construction, which basically it was the youth. And on January 27 of the same year, the first cubic meter of land for the construction of the first shop was taken out.

Since 1969, labor collectives have become formed, the installation of equipment produced at 844 domestic factories and 900 community factories, Firms, Germany, England, USA, France and other countries continued.

On March 1, 1970, the ten first bodies came out of the welding shop, and 19 Avpprel from the main conveyor came out first 6 cars VAZ 2101.Automobile and its modifications received the name "Zhiguli", by the name of the mountains near Togliatti.
"Zhiguli" were very similar to Fiat 124, but it was only with sight.
Cars were collected from fully localized details, without delivered from FIATA. But part of the details was made not in the USSR, but in other socialist countries. For example, in Poland in 1967, the Polski Fiat 125p was already released in 1967, he could carry Latin symbolism, which was the reason for the appearance of the legend of "Fiatovsky kopecks".
Later, the Polish fiats began to be supplied from the USSR, such as recessed door handles.
FIATA design has undergone many changes before becoming "zhiguli". In the early stages of the test, it was clear that Fiat is not for our roads. His body was very weak, he had to strengthen, like the suspension.
The road clearance was increased from 164 to 175 mm, rear disc brakes were replaced by drum, more durable and protected from sand and dirt. As the tests testified, the rear pads were enough for 500-600 km in a bad road, they simply erased to metal. Door's handles made strengthened, which made them injuries, which appeared a rearview mirror appeared outside.

The camshaft migrated to the bottom upstairs, the distance between the cylinders increased, while maintaining the operating engine of the engine of 1.2 liters, increased the diameter of the cylinders from 73 to 76 mm at a power of 64 hp.
In the transmission, the diameter of the clutch disk from 182 to 200 mm increased. Three-dimensional suspension is replaced by a five-speech. Instead of two subdomains on sides, four.
IN front bumper A hole appeared under the "curve" starter, fangs and towing eyes appeared. Seats, unlike Fiatovsky, laid out. In total, more than 800 changes were made, which was noticeably strengthened the design, and took it with 90 kg, from 855 to 945 kg.

Italian specialists, with the participation of Soviet, were made the main mass of the refinement, which made it possible to adopt experience and use in subsequent developments.

On October 28, 1970, the first echelon with "Zhigulmi" was sent to Moscow. With settlement construction of 6 years, the plant was launched 3 years earlier.

On March 24, 1971, the State Commission took the first place to put into operation, which will produce 220,000 cars per year.

In 1971, the export of "Zhiguli" was started in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia and GDR. Somewhat later in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Egypt, Great Britain, Nigeria.
In connection with the promotion of buyers, the name "Zhiguli" was changed to "Lada" / "Lada".

On December 22, 1973, the plant was officially adopted by the state commission on perfectly after the production of a millionth car of the VAZ brand, and the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was awarded the Order of the Labor Red Banner.

In the 70s "Zhiguli" were the most comfortable and reliable from soviet cars. Having "Zhiguli" was prestigious, it spoke about well-being and prosperous in the family. For most of the male rope, it was a dream. Foreign roots even more attracted buyers of VAZ 2101. But nevertheless, "Zhiguli" was first, due to insufficient experience in service.

The experienced motorists confidently said that "Zhiguli" is not for our roads, but later it turned out that they were made not only for our roads, but also for our off-road.

A guarantee and service appeared! Among the positive features of "Zhiguli" were: the small volume of maintenance work, the surprise of drivers was that in winter it is not necessary to drain the water for the night, they first learned the taste of antifreeze and got wheels for all year round. Also "Zhiguli" distinguished smoothness, good speaker and handling, which made it possible to overtake "Muscovites" and "Volga" forever. The salon was comfortable, the salon heater worked for excellent. It was also pleased that the fact that the USSR was learned to make fittings and high-quality fasteners, after the purchase of "Zhiguli" did not need to stretch. The quality of the assembly at the beginning of production was at the height, but in subsequent years worsened, not only on a vase, but also in the industry as a whole.

In 1974, the updated version of "Zhiguli" was released - VAZ 21011, with an engine of 1.3 liters and a capacity of 69 hp

For 13 years of production, about 3 million cars of VAZ 2101 were released. The release of VAZ 21011 was terminated in 1981, 2101 in 82, in the future only the VAZ 21013 modification was produced.

VAZ 2101 and sport.

In early 1971, a racing modification of "Zhiguli" was released, she participated in the European Rally "Tour of Europe - 71", where our team won the silver cup. With participation in the subsequent competitions "Tour of Europe - 73" Soviet athletes won gold and silver.

In the highway and ring races "Kopeika" for the first time took part in 1972 in the USSR Championship. In those days, no one else knew how to force the VAZ engines, and on the tracks had the advantage of "Muscovites". But over time, the secret of the forcing "Zhiguli" was attenuation, the riders learned how to prepare their vases, and the teams of AZLK could no longer be withstanding "kopecks" and fell behind forever.

On races of "Cup of the Friendship of Socialist countries", things were not quite good. Three Czech Racers won in any races on their factory Skoda 130 RS, only changing places in the top three. Powerful and light skodes were created specifically for the ring. Soon they switched to other European competitions, and their place was taken by other athletes from Czechoslovakia, on our freaks. They drove a lot of blood from our riders, but it was still possible to defeat them, it was proven more than once by Soviet athletes.

Interestingly, the factory riders had to be frequently to share medals with "single" from other cities. They fought a strong competition on races. And all because there was no professional sport in the USSR, they could only be engaged in defending the shift at the machine. And the sports sections of the VAZ were not divisions of the plant, but only clubs of motorists, and invaluable experiences were very rarely embodied in improving the design of serial cars.

What was the tuning VAZ 2101 in the early 70s?

Our motorists knew how to negotiate with the leaders of different major firms that had a way abroad. We were brought to reinforced and finalized camshafts specifically for competitions. Brought out different countriesAll of course was illegally, and therefore Tuning "Zhiguli" was very expensive. To someone brought camshafts, they changed to a hard suspension, they in turn were changed to other details, more reinforced. Rubber was from the "cosmos", i.e. Inaccessible, recorded in the queue for several months.

Some "Kulibins" made camshafts in their technology, changed, sold. Also made homemade magnesium discs, in Europe it was a very expensive pleasure.

Only in our time, tuning parts have become publicly available, and we can pick up any item under your parameters. Thanks to say to those people who in the early 70s were not afraid to seek more improved characteristics from their "kopecks", these were Soviet athletes and enthusiasts !!!

Look at the movie about a penny!