VAZ-2101 «Zhiguli» - the Soviet rear-drive car with a sedan body.

The first model, produced at the Volga automobile plant. On the basis of VAZ-2101 was created so-called «classical» family cars " VAZ", which was on the conveyor belt to 17 September 2012. For production of this model in may 1972, Volga automobile plant was awarded with the international prize «Golden mercury». In 2000, VAZ-2101 was named the best domestic car of the XX century by the results of the nationwide survey conducted by the magazine «za rulem». For all the time production (from 1970 to 1988) Volzhsky automobile plant gave life of 4.85 million cars VAZ-2101 all modifications of a sedan. History of the creation of August 16, 1966, in Moscow a General agreement was signed between the Italian company Fiat and the Soviet Внешторгом on scientific and technical cooperation in the field of development of passenger cars. In addition, it has approved project of construction of the automobile on the territory of the USSR. This agreement determined and the models: two cars in the bundling «norm» a sedan (VAZ-2101) and universal (VAZ-2102), and a car «Suite» (VAZ-2103). As a prototype for a «norm» was defined Fiat 124, who in 1967 won the title of «Car of the year». In the summer of 1966 was the first acquaintance of domestic specialists with the Italian car. During the tests on our roads for vehicles revealed serious problems with the longevity of the body and rear disc brakes. Small ground clearance and a lack of towing eyelets did problematic operation of machinery on the dirt road. The discontent of the Soviet engineers also caused нижневальный engine - absolutely unpromising from the point of view of further development of the construction. All comments of our specialists were taken into account by Italian designers. Not less serious change was chassis and transmission. In the end, VAZ-2101 was different from the Fiat 124 brakes (rear appeared drum mechanisms, calmly carry bad roads), suspension (front was subjected to strengthen the rear of complete replacement by more modern five-reactive rods instead of reactive tube), driveline (introduced outdoor shaft with the intermediate support), increased adhesion and improved design of synchronizers in the CPR. Even in terms of comfort VAZ-2101 was better than his prototype thanks to the ability of transformation of the seats in full sleeping places subsequently appreciated thousands of owners. Interestingly, some of the innovations were applied to «zero-first» in order to harmonise with the luxury model Fiat 124S (VAZ-2103). First of all, it is a collapsible exterior door handles. VAZ-2101 received the exterior mirror. In total in the design of the Fiat 124 was made more than 800 changes after which he received the title of Fiat 124R. «Russification» Fiat 124 was extremely useful for the company FIAT, which has accumulated unique information about the reliability of their machines in extreme conditions. The first six cars VAZ-2101 was collected April 19, 1970, rhythmical work of the main pipeline began in August. Up to the end of the year in Togliatti collected 21 530 «ones», in 1971, this number increased to 172 175 cars and the peak of VAZ-2101 was held in 1973, the year when it was collected 379 007 instances. At full capacity the plant was released in 1974. The origin of the name Normal 1966 it Should be noted that ВАЗовские first-borns were the first domestic cars that were affected by the new industry document is normal HE 025270-66 governing the classification and the designation system for rolling stock: each new model of the car or the trailer is assigned the index, consisting of four numbers, where the first two digits indicate the class of the vehicle (trailer) and its purpose. The second two digits of the model. Modification of the models have an additional fifth number, designating the ordinal number of the modification. The sixth digit - version: 1 - to the cold climate, 6 - export version for temperate climate, 7 - export version for the tropical climate, 8 and 9 - reserve for other export modifications. Some machines have at their designation by dashes prefix 01, 02, 03, and so on, indicating that the model or modification is transitive or has additional configuration. Before the numerical index is usually put letters plant, drafting or the Issuer of the given model. For example, the index of the car VAZ-21011 stands for VAZ - manufacturer: Volzhsky automobile factory; 21 - the small car class with the engine from 1200 to 1800 cm3; 01 - the first model incorporated in this class; 1 - the first modification of the base vehicle, characterized by installing other engine, in this case, the displacement of 1300 cm3. «Zhiguli» of the opinion that the name «Zhiguli» was born thanks to the competition, announced by the magazine «za rulem» in August 1968. However, according to the veterans of the Vase, the name «Lada», proposed by the designer A. M. Black, was approved by the Director of the plant Century N. Polyakov still in early 1967. At that time it was proposed FIAT company for the development of decorative labels for the back of the body. In the people to VAZ-2101 in different times «stuck» two nicknames: first - «one», but already in the end of the 1980s, when the model has ceased to be considered a prestigious, - «Kopeika». Modification Mass: • VAZ-2101 - original engine 1.2 HP (1970-1983); • VAZ-21011 - the so-called «eleventh» - major changes occurred in the modification of the body, the beauty of which was more comfortable on the form of the front seats and modified controls and ashtrays, from the rear armrests transferred directly to your door. In addition to this modification was more powerful 69-strong engine working volume of 1.3 HP These cars were equipped with different radiator grille with more frequent horizontal crossbars, at the bottom of the front panel there are four additional slots for better air flow units to the radiator of the cooling system. Bumpers lost its fangs and got instead on the perimeter of the rubber pads. On the rack of a body VAZ-21011 rear are positioning holes special exhaust ventilation, which covered the original lattices, brake lights and turn indicators received reflectors. The car began to establish reversing lamp (1974-1983). • VAZ-21013 - differs from the VAZ-21011 engine VAZ-2101 lower power (1.2 litre displacement) (1977-1988); RHD: • For export to countries with left-hand traffic Volzhsky automobile factory has mastered release two versions of the «Zhiguli» VAZ-21012 and VAZ-21014 (based on VAZ-2101, VAZ-21011). They differed enhanced spring suspension of the right front wheel, because when you transfer controls on the right side of the distribution of the mass of the machine was uneven. Year of manufacturing: 1974-1982. Export version of the car was called Lada 1200. Over 57 thousand cars were sent to the countries of the Socialist community, the GDR, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Soon «Lada» appeared on the roads of Germany, France, great Britain, Austria, Switzerland, Egypt and Nigeria. Manufacture of cars VAZ-2101, VAZ-21011 was stopped in 1983. Next were made only modification VAZ-21013, production of which was completed in 1988. On the basis of VAZ-2101 was also established universal VAZ-2102. VAZ-2101 was the ancestor of the whole family of machines called «classics». In Cuba almost on pilot basis is produced «limousines» VAZ-2101 widely used as taxis. Evaluation of machine Much from the Soviet car owners VAZ-2101 was for the first time. The high degree of mining design and quality production of vehicles allowed to operate without observance of excessive precautions in the initial period of operation. The restrictions included only traffic at maximum speeds during running of the vehicle[2]. This is thanks to Жигулям» motorists learned that in the small car at high speed, you can talk without raising his voice; that severe winter in the car can be heat at home; that tirelessly can be nearly twice as large distances than other domestic cars. VAZ-2101 demonstrated our car owners how simple it may be winter engine start. When the owners of cars of other brands were forced to go for buckets of hot water and automatically controlled fan lamps, driver of «Lada» is often treated without the use of a clockwork arm. Much of the credit for this belonged двухкамерному carburetor DAAZ-2101 (Weber 32 DCR), more perfect, than the Soviet analogues of the time.Not without reason after a few years domestic variations «Weber» was serially be equipped with products AZLK and «Izhmash». However, the «Zhiguli» carburetors started to appear under the bonnets «Muscovites» and even of «Volga» where earlier efforts of the owners, tired to fight with the vagaries and прожорливостью regular units of the series To-126. Speaking of engine VAZ-2101, will not be an exaggeration to say that in his time he had the highest output per litre among all Soviet cars. Coupled with reliable four-speed gearbox on the «единичке» it was possible to confidently overcome serpentine protracted descents and ascents. It should be noted and as an innovation cooling system closed-type, designed for use only antifreeze. First Soviet cars did not have the surge tank, and their radiators often refueled ordinary water, which in winter time, it was necessary to drain before each Parking lot - this procedure was considered to be absolutely commonplace. Only the VAZ-2101 first appeared high-quality plastic materials in interior decoration, who were not afraid of the impact of direct sunlight. Summarizing all above, we can say that with the first cars VAZ to our country came to new technologies and materials, giving the entire industry (and not only by car) made a huge step forward. Sports achieve success in Sport «Zhiguli» has already been laid in the engine with camshafts valves per cylinder. It turned out that the motor is perfect to be форсировке - Soviet riders had an excellent opportunity for construction of a sports car[3]. Debut VAZ-2101 in the sports arena was held in the beginning of 1971 in Riga at the team competition of the winter of the USSR rally championship. Then - USSR championship circuit racing, where from Togliatti participate machine even were displayed in a separate class «Lada». And already in the autumn of the same year VAZ-2101 took part in international competitions: three Soviet crew started the marathon Tour of Europe-71». The route of the rally laid on the territory of 14 countries in Western and Eastern Europe (including the territory of the USSR), and the total length of distance reached 14 thousand kilometers. Up to tour the team of VAZ-Автоэкспорт won the Silver Cup in the team classification, and the crews Girdauskas-Мадревиц and Lukyanov-Karamyshev also received and awards in personal offset. The regularity of this fact was brilliantly confirmed later on Tour in Europe-73», where all teams, speakers for VAZ-2101, and got the gold and silver cups at once. VAZ-2101 as a racing car was popular not only in the USSR. The British, for example, in the 80s provided special раллийное Lada Challenge[4]. Subsequently, the «zero-first» for many years are not descended from the slopes as national and international competitions, and in Amateur rally VAZ-2101 sometimes there are today. Conquest nürnburgring Car VAZ-2101 «Zhiguli» of the 1971 release prepared by СитиМоторспорт participated in the race of historical cars held a prestigious track Nurburgring 1 October 2004. Rivals of «unity» became racing legends of past years: the Jaguar E-type, Lotus Elan, BMW 2002TI, Alfa Romeo Sprint GT, Ford Mustang and, of course, Porsche models Porsche 356 and Porsche 911. All fifty collectible cars. «One» was launched in the beginning of the third of ten in accordance with the result of qualifications, which took place during the rain. The first round were not easy on a dry track rivals on more powerful machines one by one by-passed the «Zhiguli». Team СитиМоторспорт seemed that the race is already lost, most importantly, to reach the finish. But suddenly it started raining, and power has ceased to play a decisive role. The crew began to conquer one position after another. First bypassed leader offset cars from 1966 to 1971 year (German championship historical racing takes place in several stages) - blue Alfa Romeo, speaking in the class up to 1600 cm3. It should be noted that this car already in those years was coming off the Assembly line with двухвальным engine and twin Weber carburetors. And then «one» became one after another overtake Jaguars and the Porsche! Finished crew VAZ-2101 on the thirtieth position and on the first place in the class[3]. In 2010, the «one» again appeared on the track. This time the team of Mikhail Gorbachev took part in the competition FHR Historischer Langstrecken Cup held on the full version of the track Nurburgring. The matter is that on the Northern loop from 1953 to 1983, the first years were prestigious international racing 1000 km. participated In the cars of well-known world producers. Soviet cars among them never happened. Today this is possible, because the Germans have revived the legendary race for historical cars. Car preparation for the start was carried out with the support of Rossauto. Modify the body of the rules of the Group 1), so the white «one» looks more serially than silver, which participated in the race 2004. Suspension remained the standard - only install shock absorbers Koni Sport. The engine has undergone serious changes. His scattered up to 1300 cm3, established sports camshaft and two twin carburetor Weber 40 DCOE. Theoretically, it is in this configuration, the machine could participate in international races in the early seventies. The main rivals of the «unity» were cars with engine capacity up to 1300 cm3 released from 1965 to 1971 years. The crew were presented Andrew Oleinikov, a journalist and a driving instructor, Dmitry Sokolov and knowing the insidious track Alexey Mochanov. In difficult weather conditions proved and a machine that is well managed, and athletes who have committed serious mistakes. Conditional classmates Russian-Ukrainian crew lost only racers at the NSU. The principal competitors for Ford Escort 1300GT showed a better average speed of the circle, but at the finish were behind. Just VAZ-2101 was in the race 7 hours and 6 minutes, with more than 200 litres of fuel on each circle three times accelerated to a speed of 180 km/h (7500 rpm) and in the end, driven by Andrew Oleinikov, saw the finish! Foreigners have a team in the asset fourth result, and 56-th in the absolute. Just finished 70 cars, so in the General standings «one» went to several crews Porsche and BMW. Never before in its long life in sports VAZ-2101 was not continuously in the race for a whole 7 hours.[5] Interesting facts • Pendant accelerator pedal and the floor button on the windscreen - attributes that appeared on the VAZ-2101 after statement on the conveyor VAZ-21011. The first editions of «unity» accelerator pedal was with outdoor installation, and the windscreen washer system was put in action a tiny rubber buttons located to the left of light switches and switching the wiper. • Many VAZ-2101 normally manned the spark plugs and «base wheel» shock-absorbers foreign production[6], which are distinguished by the higher durability and many times surpassed the quality of Soviet counterparts. Many of the parts for Lada produced outside of the USSR. Regular radio RD-3602 produced in Hungary, and under the bonnets some VAZ-2101 first editions can be found original Weber carburetors. • Despite the availability of starting the handle in your tool bag attached to the car, start the engine VAZ-2101 with it, if the discharged battery, it was almost impossible. The matter is that the crankshaft of the engine had to create a certain moment of rotation with quite a lot of turns. Starting handle, according to the factory instructions needed to facilitate starting the engine in cold weather or after long-term Parking. This required using it several times manually turned a crankshaft of the engine ignition off and on neutral transfer to facilitate further run through the starter. • There were three kinds of factory badges VAZ-2101. Looks like one of them know many: logo with a stylized letter «A» silver boat on рубиновом background shining on all единичках» from 1971. However, on machines 1970 release this same icon was supplemented with the inscription «Togliatti»: not surprisingly, because of modest circulation today such emblems incredible rarity. By the way, according to the legend, the inscription from the icon had to remove the curious reason - it was impossible to unmask the location of such a strategic object as AutoPLANT![7] There is quite a rarity emblem. She was born only thanks to the message. The fact is that the first batch of icons (about 30 pieces) for the Soviet drawings were made in Turin фиатовские specialists. At the exit, the Italians had to get the icon, which has been discussed above, however, in the haste of one of them mixed up the Cyrillic letter «I» and Latin «R». As a result of all of the icons from the party ВАЗовцы simply dismantled Souvenirs