Such Zhiguli were not sold to us! The whole truth about export cars of the USSR
“Export” in the USSR was synonymous with the word “good”. All Soviet citizens dreamed of such machines. Although many did not even know how they differed from ordinary ones.
Less power, more prestige
The export of Zhiguli began almost simultaneously with the start of production of the “penny” – VAZ-2101. Later, all models of the classical layout were sent abroad.
In principle, they did not differ from those that were sold with us. True, the cars underwent enhanced quality control. Sometimes cars with certain combinations of exterior and interior colors went to the West.
All Zhiguli (from “penny” to “six”) had a right-hand drive version. They were sent to the UK and other countries with left-hand traffic.
It was for export that the plant at first began to make modifications with “non-native” engines. And, as a rule, with a decrease in power. This is how the VAZ-21013 appeared with a 64-horsepower 1.2-liter engine (the VAZ-21011 had a 69-horsepower 1.3-liter engine).
A 1.3-liter engine was installed on the VAZ-21033 three-ruble note, versions of the sixes appeared with 1.5-liter (VAZ-21061) and 1.3-liter (VAZ-21063) engines. All this was due to the tax laws of certain countries.
If in our country the most powerful Zhiguli were considered the most prestigious, Soviet cars were valued abroad for their cheapness. And they didn’t want to overpay taxes, and they didn’t want to pay for gasoline either.
Later, cars with low-power engines began to be massively sold at home. And many began to love them: after all, outwardly, the “six” with a 1.3-liter engine was no different from the “real”, but it was cheaper and more economical.
There were also export exceptions. There was a version of the VAZ-21021 – a station wagon with an engine with a working volume of 1.3 liters and a power of 69 hp. instead of the standard 1.2-liter.
They also produced a rare export VAZ-21073. On such a “seven” there was an 81-horsepower 1.7-liter engine with a single fuel injection system – the first on VAZ cars.
In principle, Western dealers did not change the Zhiguli technique. Sometimes expensive versions were “changed shoes” in beautiful rims and imported tires. Sometimes they installed more reliable elements of electrical equipment – generators and starters. But the engines were left unchanged.
The exception is the amazing “seven” made in Finland with the participation of Konela, a dealer who sold Soviet cars. A turbocharger was attached to the “seven”.
The local press wrote that such a Lada reached a speed of 180 km / h and was the cheapest turbocharged model on the Finnish market. But technical details were not given. Probably very few of these machines were made.
Beauty contest
Often Western dealers preened our Frets. For example, they were decorated with glued moldings.
In the fashion of the 1970s, expensive versions were made with black (or simply contrasting) vinyl roofs, and power sunroofs were embedded.
In the 1980s, body kits began to come into fashion all over the world – front and rear spoilers (sometimes combined with bumpers), sills and lower sidewalls.
According to this principle, they made the German “five” in a kind of sports and youth style – Lada Nova Junior.
Gradually, Western trends reached the homeland of the Zhiguli. Already in the late 1970s in the USSR there were cars with “self-made” black vinyl roofs. Then our craftsmen began to master the manufacture of spoilers.
Western dealers also offered accessories for our Lada: good radios, floor mats, elegant steering wheels and wheel rims.
