Lada Riva


The Lada / VAZ-2105, 2104 and 2107, collectively marketed as Lada Riva for right-hand drive models, the Lada Nova in Germany, and by multiple other names and markets, are a series of compact sedans of the Zhiguli line-up, built by Russian car manufacturer AvtoVAZ. Introduced in 1979 in the Soviet Union, and progressively introduced to Western European and global markets from the early 1980s, under the Lada brand, they were sold as saloons, and station wagon versions.
Today they are generally referred to as the Lada Classic series, being derived from the original Fiat 124 platform which has been the now-iconic mainstay of the AvtoVAZ lineup since the company's foundation in the late 1960s. Russian production at the company's main plant at Tolyatti ended in September 2012.
Along with the other Fiat 124 derivatives, it is the world's third best selling, single generation automobile platform, after the Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Model T, and one of the longest production run platforms alongside the Volkswagen Beetle, the Hindustan Ambassador, the Volkswagen Bus, the Toyota 70 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

History

Although introduced in 1979 and first produced in quantity in 1980, the Riva's origins are older: it is a modernised and restyled version of the original Lada type VAZ-2101 Zhiguli saloon, which was introduced in 1970 as a modified license copy of the Fiat 124. VAZ began development work on the facelift version as early as 1975, and the first prototypes were built in 1977, although it would not be until 1983 – three years after its release in the Soviet Union – that the car was made available in Western European markets, and like its predecessors - aimed squarely at the budget end of the market.
The Riva itself is officially designated – and known in the home market – as VAZ-2105, VAZ-2104, and VAZ-2107. In Russia, VAZ-2105, VAZ-2104, and VAZ-2107 are considered to be different cars rather than variants but nonetheless all of them are part of a single "Klassika" family along with older models such as the VAZ-2101. They are popularly known as Pyatyorka, Chetvyorka and Semyorka.
Mechanically, the car is virtually identical to the first-generation VAZ-2101, featuring the Fiat-derived manual transmissions, coil spring suspension all round, and aluminium alloy drum brakes with cast iron brake shoes on the rear wheels. The smaller-engined variant, the version had a revamp of its inline four-cylinder compared to the original VAZ-2101. The old OHC design had its camshaft driven by chain, while the new one had a toothed belt drive. Some modifications of the Riva's larger-engined version carried on with the chain-driven OHC engine coming over from the original Lada 1500, while others had a later 1,6L VAZ-2106/21067 engine. Another change was made to the engine in 1992, when single point fuel injection and catalytic converters were specified to keep up with emissions legislation.
The 2107 was announced in 1982, offered as the luxury version, with improved interior, a new instrument panel, and a chrome grille; it came with either or engines.
The first 2104 station wagon appeared in 1984, in three models: the 2104 with ; the 21041 with ; and the 21043 with engine.
Export sales proved to be very good in Eastern Europe. In the West, Rivas had limited presence in such countries as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Canada. In Finland, they had much larger sales due to the fact that Finland had closer economic ties with the Soviet Union. Canada was the only market to offer whitewall tires. Canadian 2107s were "briefly sold as the Dennis Signet", after the importer, Peter Dennis Motor Corporation. Canadian sales, along with several European markets, ended on 4 July 1997.
Tightening safety and emissions legislation combined with the economic instability in the former Soviet Union during the 1990s led to the Riva being withdrawn from most Western European markets by 1997, although it remained in production at the AvtoVAZ factory in the Russian Federation and was sold as the Lada Classic. It was one of the cheapest automobiles available in the Russian market and remains the most popular second-hand car in Russia even after its production ceased.
In 2002, production of the wagon model was taken over by Izh, before assembly was also started at the Bogdan Group's LuAZ plant, and later in Cherkasy, Ukraine. The 2107 model was produced also at the ZAZ factory in Ukraine and at Suzuki's factory in Egypt. In August 2011, Russian production of the 2107 was moved to Izh. After about thirty years of production, the 2105 was discontinued in 2010, followed by the 2104 and 2107 in 2012.

United Kingdom

The British market first received the Riva as the 1300GL in July 1983, and the 21051 had the. British sales were based heavily on low sales price and durability. In 1986, more than 20,000 Ladas were sold in Britain, almost all of them Rivas, before peaking at more than 30,000 in 1988, by which time the Samara had been added to the range. British imports of the older VAZ-2101/2102/2106 ended soon after the Riva's introduction, although they remained available in the Soviet Union and much of the old Eastern Bloc for several years afterwards.
In a review of the new economy car, the British automobile magazine Autocar noted its low price of only £3,158, improved road performance and an "impressive list of standard equipment", which included "height-adjustable headlamps, internally adjustable driver's door mirror, velour-covered seats, heated rear window, illumination lights for bonnet and boot", and a 21-piece toolkit. However, its spartan interiors and ageing design meant that it was never aimed at buyers of market leaders' similar-sized but more expensive products, such as the Ford Sierra, Vauxhall Cavalier and Austin Montego. Nonetheless, the Riva was still selling well in the United Kingdom and many other Western markets in the early 1990s, but the next few years saw a raft of new models come from budget competitors such as Daewoo, Hyundai, Kia and Proton, pushing Riva sales into terminal decline. This, combined with the economic hardships and much-needed investment to adapt cars to stricter European Union emissions requirements not being available, resulted in the decision to withdraw Lada from the UK and Canada on 4 July 1997. Riva sales had in fact finished several months earlier. They had cheaply tried to produce catalytic converter equipped cars using carburettors, when all other car makers changed to fuel injection to more accurately control fuel/air ratios. However the catalysts were quickly destroyed as a result and most cars failed their first MOT test as a result.
Despite Lada's withdrawal in 1997 from the British market, most of the surviving Rivas on UK roads were not initially scrapped. Over the next few years, the vast majority were re-exported back to Russia due to a shortage of used examples in their homeland and the export specification was considered superior to those that were available domestically. Even in 2021, many ex-UK right hand drive Rivas are still operating in Russia and the former Soviet states.

New Zealand

The car was also sold in New Zealand, where it was distributed by the New Zealand Dairy Board. The Dairy Board received the cars in lieu of cash payments for deliveries of mutton and butter to the Soviet Union. The last such trade was carried out in 1990.

Models

2104

Estate edition
  • VAZ-2104 – VAZ-2105 engine, a carburetor, 4-speed transmission, the base model
  • VAZ-21041 – engine VAZ-2101,, 4-carburetors. PPC. Not commercially produced.
  • VAZ-21042 – engine VAZ-2103,, right hand drive.
  • VAZ-21043 – engine VAZ-2103, carburetor with a 4- or 5-speed. CAT, in versions with electrical equipment and interior of the VAZ-2107.
  • VAZ-21044 – engine VAZ-2107,, single injection, 5-speed. CAT, export model.
  • VAZ-21045 – engine VAZ-2107,, single injection, 5-speed. CAT, export model - did not enter production
  • VAZ-21045D – VAZ-341 engine,, diesel, 5-speed. PPC.
  • VAZ-21047 – engine VAZ-2103,, carb, 5-speed. CAT, an improved version with the interior of the VAZ-2104/7. Export modifications were equipped with the radiator grille of the VAZ-2107.
  • VAZ-21048 – engine VAZ-343,, diesel, 5-speed - pre-series, never entered production
  • VAZ-21041i – engine VAZ-21067 injector, 5-speed gearbox, with the same interior and electrics as the VAZ-2107, the front seats of the IL-2126.
  • VAZ-21041 VF – radiator design VAZ-2107, VAZ-2103 engine of injector, 5-speed gearbox, interior and electrical VAZ-2107 car, the front seats of the Izh-2126.
Pickup Edition
  • VAZ-21043-33 Pikap – 1.5-litre with 52 kW, produced from 1991 to 2012 at PSA VIS-Avto.

    2105

  • Lada 2105 – with the carb. engine VAZ-2105 and 4-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 2105 b – the engine VAZ-2103 and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21050 – with the engine VAZ-2105 and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21051 – with carb. engine VAZ-2101 and 4-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21053 – with carb. engine VAZ-2103 and 4 of Art. CAT;
  • Lada 21053-20 – the engine VAZ-2104 and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21054 – small series, especially for the traffic police, the Interior Ministry and the FSB. Carburetted VAZ-2106 engine with,, and, equipped with an additional fuel tank and battery.
  • Lada 21054-30 – the engine VAZ-21067 and 5-speed. CAT;
  • Lada 21055 – small scale modification for the cab with a diesel engine VAZ – 341 production Barnaultransmash ;
  • Lada 21057 – Export version of VAZ-21053 with right-hand drive and a single injection engine was produced in 1992–1997 for the markets of the UK and countries with left-hand traffic;
  • Lada 21058 – Export version of VAZ-21050 with right-hand drive, produced in 1982–1994 for the markets of the UK and countries with left-hand traffic;
  • Lada 21059 – Debut 1980 as a small, special series for the traffic police, the Interior Ministry and the KGB with, two-rotor VAZ-411M or VAZ-4132 Wankel engine and four-speed manual transmission. Capable of and in nine seconds. Priced at 52,000 rubles.
  • VIS – 2345 – pickup design based on VAZ-21053 and 21054, produced by JSC VAZInterService with 1995 by 2006;
  • Lada 2105 VFTS – a sports car, which was being built at the facilities of the Vilnius factory vehicles under the guidance of the legendary Soviet rallista Stasys Brundza. Homologated to FISA Group B standard. Markets forced engine VAZ-2106, using carburetors WEBER 45 DCOE and a close ratio 4- and 5-speed gearbox, with claw couplings include; since 1986 in order to reduce weight, the car was equipped with doors made of aluminium.
  • Lada 2105 VIHUR – rally car produced industrial association for the production of sports equipment "Vihur" CC DOSAAF in Tallinn. Homologated for Group A-2/1 union classification. According to the requirements of the A-2/1, the engines were unchanged.