10 interesting facts about the VAZ-2121 "Niva"

In 1977, April 5, at the Volga Automobile Plant rolled off the first production car VAZ-2121 "Niva" 4x4 housing 062 UPC. In fact, the model can be called the world's first SUV compact class. Work on the car began in 1970. The initiator of the development of a "car for the village" was the Soviet Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin. He wanted to create a version of the "Zhiguli" with all-wheel drive, which would have the strength to ride off-road. Initially, the designers were going to increase the ground clearance at the "Zhiguli" and equipped with all-wheel drive model, but later was nevertheless decided to create a fundamentally new car. We will tell you ten interesting facts about this popular vehicle.





1. In honor of the XXV Congress of the CPSU at the plant, it was decided to collect 50 new cars. Assembling was carried out in February 1976. Cars of this pilot batch of the market has not arrived and were distributed to organizations in different regions of the country. It is logical to conclude that the information that someone had "Niva" of the first batch - just another myth. Operating experienced "Neve" was held under the control of the model developers, who traveled to these regions, and collected information about the car, and then dealt with defects. The first production "Niva" it appeared April 5, 1977.



2. The cost of the first "Neve" was 9000 rubles, which was a little less representative of "Volga". In 1979, all Soviet passenger cars went up and "Niva" was worth 10,300 rubles., Which drastically reduced the buying interest to her. The result has been returned to the original cost. It should be noted that the main problem for the Soviet people at that time were not so much the money, but the fact that the purchase desired car was almost impossible: 80% of the collected "Neve" were exported, and the remaining 20% ​​had a huge deficit. To the list of myths can add an opinion, according to which "Niva" abroad sold at a reduced price. Unlike other Soviet cars "Niva" foreigners always expensive. Gasoline "Field" in the early '80s in Germany was estimated at 22 thousand. DM and diesel version - 26 thousand. In England its value in 1996 amounted to 7,999 pounds ($ 12,078 at the exchange rate at that time).



3. "Niva" has never sold abroad in the same configuration as that of the domestic market. "Western" car received high roof, panoramic mirror, enhanced wheels, special tires and rear wipers. Manufacturer repainted model pasted on her alter moldings and interior. In addition, the rear seats fold-made, and the front - anatomical. Machines also received hatches, wheel arch extensions, other grille and winches. Due to the unique design of the endurance and "Niva" abroad was considered a legend. It is appreciated in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK and Germany.



4. In Germany, wishing to acquire the legendary "Niva" had to be written to the queue. In Eastern Europe in the pre-entry "Field" it is absolutely normal in the 80s. One good thing to remember about the impact that "Niva" in the global off-road car industry is the fact that in 1986, the Japanese gave the head of the project "2121" Petra Prusova handout model Suzuki Vitara with the inscription "Godfather of the car».



5. On account of "Niva" many high-Records. In 1998, the car on their own climbed Everest to the base camp, which was located at an altitude of 5200 m. In 1999, the car took on the Tibetan plateau in the Himalayas at a height of 5726 m above sea level. The British tried to beat him in 1997 on Elbrus, but their "Land Rover" itself up to record heights not reached and was raised at around 5642 meters cable and winch.



6. Not to mention the conquest of the North Pole in April 1998 "Niva" was dropped on the pole with a parachute, he started up and reached the top of the Earth. Normal "Niva" has managed 15 years in Antarctica, at Bellingshausen station, where in 1990 she was taken at the request of Russian polar explorers. The first year it worked the factory test driver Nikolai Makeev, all-terrain vehicle was later at the disposal of workers Antarctic Expedition and operated to this day at the station. The total mileage of the car is 11 800 km. Next to the Bellingshausen station are 9 permanent and 6 seasonal plants and bright red "Niva", the second decade plying in the snow in Antarctica between them, is the best advertising the Soviet car industry. However, it should be noted that the Antarctic Peninsula is not prohibitively cold, the temperature range is from 1 to -7 degrees Celsius.



7. "Niva" has managed to excel in the sport. In 1981, participating in the super marathon "Paris-Dakar", the Soviet car managed to win the third place among SUVs. In the same year, "Niva" was able to win two prestigious race - "Rally of Tunisia" and "The Algerian Rally." 1982 was marked by the fact that the rider Jean-Claude Briavuan to "Niva" was ranked in the "Dakar" second place in the overall classification, and the Frenchman Andre Tress all on the same Soviet SUV has won two "Rally of the Pharaohs" of Egypt and once again "The Algerian Rally ". A year later, "Niva" again took "silver" at the "Dakar", and the "Rally of the Pharaohs-84" "Niva" occupied the whole podium.



8. "Star over the years" "Niva" can be called in 1985 (winning the rally "Cameroon" rally "Algeria", the New Zealand trial "Valley", the Australian rally-raid "McVeigh 1000") and 1986 (all first places in Australia "Wine Safari"). The route ran through the wild corners of Australia. Taking all of the podium, "Niva" has left the Australians in full admiration for Russian machine. As a result, sales of "Niva" in Australia has doubled, and in France, its sales jumped immediately by 6 times - up to 24 thousand pieces.



9. One of the most unusual Neve became a floating amphibious vehicle VAZ-2122, created exactly 40 years ago for hunting and fishing on the official version. The original purpose of the model - the use of security services and the army. The car coped with state tests, and then forgot about the project. Among the military, he is known as a "project" River ". The prototype is in the Military Museum in Ryazan road. Another unique model was mikrogruzovichok "Corporal." The project, unfortunately, also stopped at the stage of experimental sample.



10. The most original "Niva" became a car designed specifically for the Yuri Nikulin Circus. Famous car brought very real bears. The model was based on an open car on the basis of "Niva-odds" VAZ-212180. Number called "Bears traveled by car».



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