In the mid-1960s, the USSR lacked a modern passenger car that would meet the latest trends and could complement and partially replace the Pobeda and Volga. In 1966, the Russians signed an agreement with the Italian concern FIAT for the license production of the Fiat 124 car. Intensive preparations to take up this challenge took place for 4 years. Among others a completely new factory was built in Togliatti (WAZ – Wołżanskij Avto Zavod) and the Italian car was significantly redesigned, adapting it to production capabilities and road conditions in the Soviet Union. Among the 800 changes, the most important were: increased ground clearance, changed suspension and braking system, modified gearbox and clutch, reinforced body, and new seats in the cabin. The power unit was also different, with a camshaft in the head, a larger cylinder diameter and a smaller piston stroke. Production of the car known in the USSR as the WAZ 2101 жигули (Zhiguli) 1200 and abroad as the Lada 1200 began in 1970. A year later, the first station wagon cars (WAZ 2102) left the factory. The first version of Żyguli was produced for 4 years and can be recognized by the “fangs” on the bumpers and full rear cabin pillars without air vents. New models produced since 1974 were devoid of these elements. Żyguli / Lada 1200 was a very long-lived model – the last cars left the factory in Togliatti in 1988 (!).
Technical data:
Four-door, five-seat sedan
Length: 413 cm
Width: 162 cm
Height: 145 cm
Curb weight: 945 kg
Drive: 4-cylinder in-line WAZ-2101 petrol engine
Displacement: 1198 cm3
Power: 62 HP
Maximum speed: 135 km/h
Fuel consumption: 6.3 l/100 km (combined cycle, catalog data)
