Bought a Lada Niva!

[78Z]

I've always wanted a Lada Niva and finally acquired one - a '95 Niva. Needs some work - wiring, windshield and tires.

happy with it so far.

was full of crap and filthy inside

Random duck sits on the dash. Sadly he hit the trash can shortly after.

The Niva came with these tools - bonus.

1.7L four cylinder with fuel injection using GM parts.

I figured out how to out the rear hatch - there is a tiny lever behind the driver's seat. Struts don't hold it up anymore.

Back was so full of crap I neglected to notice the rear seat was missing. Belts are there though.

The interior after a quick clean. I've got quite a few interior panels that where tossed in the rear. Not sure if I have all. The heater area was hacked when someone stole the steoro so I'll need to source that at some point. I do have the driver's side kick panel to cover that mess.

 

[aeronca65t]

Cool! And different!

I know it's a 4X4. Are the mechanicals all Russian or are they FIAT based?

 

[78Z]

The engine is a modified Fiat one. The brakes and such are shared with Lada saloons (thus Fiat roots). The gearbox is a Fiat four speed design where they stuff a fiftieth gear into the same casing causing 5th gear pop out issues. Otherwise it is all Russian. Very rugged and basic.

 

[JPSmit]

Cool! I love those things

 

[Banjo]

Bring back the duck!!!! hehehehehe.
Pretty neat. I've never seen one. (The Niva, not the duck)

 

[AngliaGT]

I think that those are cool,but are they
reliable,or do they have the same reputation
as other Russian vehicles (Lada?).

- Doug

 

[78Z]

I reconsidered and did bring back the duck. Nivas generally have a better reputation than other Ladas. They are considered tough and crude. They aren't a Toyota by any means but reasonable.

After some wiring fixed and modifications (dash was smashed and hacked when someone stole the stereo) I got mine up and running. All the electricals are back in place and work except high beams but with switches and buttons I had lying around. I just need to source some brake pads (two where missing) and I'll see how it drives on the driveway at least. Then after that I need to spend some actual money on it (tires and windshield) - at less than a $100 all in so far.

video of it starting for the first time in who knows how long - https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/4670415599/in/set-72157624167832684/

little gallery of photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/sets/72157624167832684/

 

[JPSmit]

And, yeah, they had the same reputation. I remember buying a die cast one for a friend and the hood on that wouldn't open properly - appropriate somehow.