VAZ 2101

VAZ 2101 is the first brand of cars built Volga Automobile Plant. For its origin was the "FIAT-124." At first glance, the machine did not differ much from his "proraditelya", but was much better adapted to the conditions of the Soviet and Russian perennial problem - roads.

August 15, 1966 between FIAT and of Foreign Trade signed an agreement on cooperation. At the same time the construction of the USSR's largest venture to produce cars. As the construction of the plant was tested FIAT 124, the purpose of which was to identify design flaws Italian car and its subsequent adaptation to Russian conditions. The bulk of finishing work by specialists with FIAT, which take into account the wishes of local colleagues.
VAZ 2101 - was proudly dubbed "Lada", and is popularly nicknamed "Kopek". However, in terms of promoting border car name "Lada" was unsuccessful. For a number of languages, it was dissonant. For example, the name "Lada" was in tune with the Arabic "Dzhigul" - a thief ... On this as an export name was chosen ear pleasing "Harmony."

"Lada" conceived as the people's car, which is at a relatively low price could saturate the "insatiable" Soviet market. But designers and factory engineers and mechanics in the future faced with many problems that have prevented effective problem-solving. Immediately had to abandon the idea of ​​affordable cars for the average person. However, the export machine went fine. Over 57 thousand cars were sent to the socialist countries - East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Soon the "Lada" appeared on the roads of Germany, France, Great Britain, Austria, Switzerland, Egypt and Nigeria.
April 19, 1970 on the main line of the Volga plant was built the first copy of the new model, which brought the assembly line Italian chef instructor Benito Guido Savoini.

The ancestor of the whole "VAZ" "classics" VAZ 2101 differed enhanced four-sedan "canonical" shape, more advanced engine, transmission and a modified chassis. Engine was more progressive overhead camshaft in the cylinder head. Clearance increased by 3 cm, reworked suspension and effort (as shown, though not enough), rear disc brakes replaced on the drum as more resistant to contamination and durable (according to the developers, the Italian disc pads on a bad road to mechanical wear to the metal for the 500 - 600 kilometers), added "curve starter" (starting handle engine). Appeared outside the door mirror (left), door handles are recessed injury prevention. Was substantially redesigned engine - camshaft moved to the head, increase the distance between the cylinders (to be able to increase their diameter). Vehicle weight has increased by 90 kg. Only a construction of the "Fiat" was made more than 800 changes, both Italian and Soviet sides. The bulk of the project, according to experts VAZ-a, however, was made by the Italians.
The interior was made at that time (70 years) rather soundly. Hood that opens to the side of the vehicle, hinged to the body along the front edge and is secured at one point lock. The trunk is located in the rear. Locking lid locks and unlocks the key. Was located in the trunk spare tire, jack, and set the driver's tools and accessories. The front seats are separated with folding backrests and seat adjustment mechanism and backrest. Rear seat - fixed, whole.

Carburetors 2101 the first series produced up to 1974, the second - up to 1976, the third series (2101-1107010-03) - from 1976 to 1978. Since 1979, the machines installed carburetors series "Ozone-2105" with an autonomous system of idling.
Later released modifications VAZ 21011 and 21013 with upgraded bodywork and engines of 1.3 and 1.2 liters. Major changes occurred in the modification of the body 21011 (1974 year), which was more convenient for the shape of the front seats and slightly altered controls and ashtray from the rear armrest transferred directly to the door panels. In addition to this modification (which at one time were given for the new model Lada 1300) was a more powerful 69-horsepower engine capacity of 1.3 liters. These cars are equipped with a grille with more of a horizontal cross in the bottom of the front end were four additional ventilation slots. Bumpers lost canines and received in return the perimeter rubber pads. On the C-pillar holes appeared forced exhaust air vents, covered with decorative grilles, brake lights and turn signals retrofit reflectors. Signal appeared reverse. Three years later, was presented version VAZ-21013 with a body 21 011 and 1.2-liter VAZ-2101. "Militia" modification VAZ-21016 equipped with a powerful 71-hp (77 hp in the old guest) engine VAZ-2103.
Since the appearance of the VAZ-2101 in the early seventies, is not, world-class design, Togliatti was drafted modernize the car, which included the installation of a 1.3 liter engine, rectangular headlights of the "Moskvich" and a number of other changes. There were a few design options. In the series, none of them did not, but the engine is increased working volume subsequently fitted to the model VAZ-21011 (from 1974), which had a minimum of external differences from the base model, and developments in design have been the starting point of the work on the model of a comprehensive modernization - VAZ -2105.

AvtoVAZ was released only 2.7 million "of ones" made a real revolution in paint, rubber and other industries operating in the domestic auto industry. It is with the development of production of VAZ-2101 began to truly mass motorization Soviet Union, with all its positive and negative consequences. Already in the mid-seventies of the Volga car factory made cars are about half of the park in the country, and their share continues to grow.

In 2000, a survey of almost 80,000 motorists from Russia and the CIS countries, the magazine "Driving", the WHA in 2101 recognized as "the best Russian car of the century". 25% of respondents as the best Russian car VAZ century called "penny." In second place with 19% of the "Volga" - GAZ-21, on the third - "ten" model "Lada".