VAZ-2101

The lightweight Italian Fiat 124, which had won the 1967 European Car of the Year, 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 NAMI. This new engine had a modern overhead camshaft design but was never used in Fiat cars. The suspension was raised to clear rough Russian roads and the bodyshell was made from thicker, heavier steel with reinforcement in key chassis areas after cracking was discovered during durability testing. The first Lada models were equipped with a starting handle in case the battery went flat in Siberian conditions, though this was later dropped. Another feature specifically intended to help out in cold conditions was a manual auxiliary fuel pump. Some of the improvements developed by VAZ engineers were quietly applied by Fiat to the 124 in its final years of production - for example the chassis strengthening; internally within Fiat these updated models are denoted "124R", the "R" standing for 'Russian'. Engines fitted to the original Lada 2101 start with the 1.2l. The drivetrain is a simple rear-wheel drive setup with a live rear axle. The engine is an inline four with two valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft. ==History==

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) 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. Under the licensing agreement with Fiat, VAZ were forbidden from selling the car in Italy in order to protect Fiat's lucrative home market, nor was it permitted to sell it in any export market in competition with the 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 exported under the Lada 1200, Lada 1300, Lada 1200S and Lada 2101 The first year, 22,000 were produced, and capacity reached 660,000 by 1973. The 2101 was built, virtually unaltered, from 1970 until 1982. The slightly upgraded 21013 continued to be built until 1988. ==Models==

VAZ-2101 • VAZ-2101 (1970–1982) — first variant was equipped with a engine (an overhead camshaft design, never used in a Fiat) producing and offering a top speed and in about 20 seconds. Compared to the Fiat 124, 800 modifications were made in all,), which drew 1,812 entries, in September 1971 the name Lada (Russian for "harmony") was chosen, and the export models would be called Lada 1200s. Production was always behind demand, and price crept up, but by 1980, the wait for a new 2101 was down to a year. Angola received its first one thousand Ladas in 1977, in time becoming a significant buyer. • 21018 (1978) — first series rotary engine modification for Soviet police & KGB with one-rotor VAZ-311 Wankel engine with electronic ignition and twin-electrode sparking plugs. It also featured a downdraft carburettor, with different jet sizes to the 2101, and two-stage aircleaner. Presented to the public by 1982. Only 250 built. • 21019 Arkan (1983?) — second series rotary engine modification for Soviet police & KGB with two-rotor VAZ-411 or VAZ-4132 Wankel engine. 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. In May 1974, it went on sale in Britain, priced at £979. • VAZ-2102 (1971–1986) — also known as Lada 1200 Combi (1200 ES Estate). • VAZ-21021 (1974–1985) — equipped with engine. Also known as Lada 1300 Combi. Export models got a rear washer/wiper. • VAZ-21023 (1973–1985) — equipped with engine. Also known as Lada 1500 Combi (1500 DL Estate). Export models got a rear washer/wiper. 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. == Technical specifications ==

File:Ваз 2101.JPG|VAZ-2101 (Lada Zhiguli 1200) File:Ваз 2101 ралли.JPG|Rally car File:1975 VAZ 2101.jpg|Lada (Zhiguli) 1200, manufactured in 1975 File:Lada Riva estate Cambridge.jpg|VAZ-2102 (Lada 2102 Riva Estate) File:DirkvdM lada limousine.jpg|VAZ-2101 modified into a taxi limousine, in Trinidad, Cuba ==See also==