In our first article of the series "Big Gear from The Old Days" we checked out the Kharkovchanka – an Antactic off-roader from the 1950s. Now it's time for the smaller (but legendary) Lada Niva!
Лада Нива, VAZ-2121, VAZ-2131, Niva, Diva, Super 4x4, Bushman, Cossack, Turist, Fora, Hussar, Job, ... What?!
Let's start off with the names of this little rugged off-roader / street fighter machine as the Lada Niva (Лада Нива) is known by different names. Some may know this car by the name of: VAZ-2121 & VAZ-2131 "Niva" (Soviet Union/Russia (1977–1993)), Bognor Diva (Uruguay), Lada Super 4×4 (Egypt), Lada Bushman (Australia), Lada Cossack (United Kingdom & New Zealand), Lada Turist (New Zealand), Lada Fora, Lada Hussar, Lada Job (Italy), Lada Sport (Iceland), Lada Taiga (Germany & New Zealand), Vlada 4x4 (Japan). Despite it's different names nothing much changed on this car since its introduction in the 1970s...
1977: introduction of the Lada Niva
The Lada Niva is a compact SUV that was produced by the Russian automaker AvtoVAZ and introduced in 1977. It has gained a reputation as a rugged and reliable vehicle, suitable for both urban and off-road driving. The Niva quickly became a popular choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable SUV.
24th CPSU Congress
Development began in 1971 after the 24th Congress of the CPSU (we've got some pins related to these CPSU congresses by the way). The designers of VAZ and AZLK were given the task of creating a car suitable for rural areas (specifically for the villagers and farmers of the Soviet Union), since the usual Zhiguli, Moskvitch, and Zaporozhets, intended primarily for ordinary people, were not much of use in the isolated areas that made up a large part of the countries within the Soviet Union. The vehicle was designed to be able to handle tough off-road conditions and its four-wheel drive system and high ground clearance made it ideal for driving in snow, mud, and rough terrain. The Lada Niva was also equipped with a locking differential, which further improved its off-road capabilities.
The first Lada Niva was powered by a 1.6-liter engine from the VAZ-2106 Zhiguli (Lada 1600). It was equipped with a manual transmission that had four gears and was available with two and later on four doors. Check out the Wikipedia page on this wonderful car for more information later on (link on bottom of article).
Above: a Lada Niva in Teriberka, Murmansk (Russia), picture by Vadim Artyukhin (Unsplash)
One of the key selling points of the Lada Niva was its affordability. It was much cheaper than other SUVs on the market and its low cost made it accessible to a wider range of people. Despite its low cost, the Lada Niva was well-built and durable, and many of the vehicles that were produced in the 1970s and 1980s are still on the road today.
The Lada Niva has been exported to many countries and has been especially popular in Europe and the former Soviet Union. In some countries, the Niva has been used as a police vehicle and in others, it has been used as a military vehicle. The Niva has also been used as a basis for many aftermarket modifications and has been adapted for use in a variety of different environments.
The Lada Niva: a cult classic
In recent years, the Lada Niva has become something of a cult classic and it is now considered a classic car. Many enthusiasts have restored and modified the Niva and it has become a popular vehicle for off-road racing and adventure. Despite its age, the Lada Niva remains a popular and practical choice for those looking for a rugged and reliable SUV.
Someone on CarThrottle wrote a funny review about the Niva. Nothing to add there! The link opens in a new window.
Above: a Lada Niva in Kayseri (Turkey), 2021. Photograph by Ömer Haktan Bulut (Unsplash)
Cool facts
Wikipedia tells us some cool facts about the legendary car: the Lada Niva has a rich history in extreme environments (which we already guessed by now), including one of them being used by the Soviet Antarctic Expedition for over 10 years and covering over 40,000 km in these circumstances. It was also the first wheeled vehicle to reach the North Pole (1988, average temperature −30 °C) and set a world record for the highest point ever reached by a motorized vehicle, reaching a height of 5725 m on a mountain in Tibet.
More information about the Niva
Do you want to know more and or dive into more factual information? Please check out the Wikipedia page about the Lada Niva. The link opens in a new window.
