Yugos from Yugoslavia, Trabants from East Germany, and Ladas from Russia. If you are fortunate enough to come across a well-kept example of these models, buy it. Cars that until recently were considered scrap from behind the Iron Curtain now have a cult following.
Their reputation for being flimsily constructed Cold War relics is not deserved. In truth, this 1981 Lada Niva, recently sold on eBay, is quite rugged.
Tough Enough for Siberia
It’s a chunky little monkey.
The Lada is similar to the Suzuki Jimny from Japan or DJ Jeeps used by the US Postal Service. They squeeze go-anywhere capabilities into a subcompact body. Unlike the Jimny and Jeep, the Lada Niva features unibody construction, making it the unofficial precursor to compact crossovers that dot American roads today.
The Niva features these outstanding attributes:
- Substantial ground clearance
- Low-range gearing
- A four-wheel-drive layout with a center locking differential
What does the Lada Niva’s rear profile remind you of?
This adds up to more capability than your typical Chevy Trax, Toyota C-HR, or Jeep Compass. The Lada was engineered for use by the Soviet military, who needed to conquer the harsh Russian terrain, from the Ural Mountains to Siberia. It ain’t no mall crawler.
Also, read this: East Meets West in a Soviet Lada Turned Lowrider.
In Soviet Russia, Lada Niva Drives You
As a sign of its staying power, the Lada Niva has been in continuous production since 1977. Beyond Russia, Lada assembled the Niva in eight other factories around the world, from Jordan to Uruguay. Lada sold it with various names, including VAZ 2121 domestically, Lada Cossack in the UK, and Vlada 4×4 in Japan. Australians know it as the Lada Bushman, while it was called the Lada Job in Italy. (There’s a missed opportunity for an Italian Job remake somewhere.)
With the Lada Niva, 76 trombone ponies lead the big parade.
Over its lifespan, the Niva came with various petrol and diesel engines. The example for sale on eBay features the original 2106 engine: a 1.6-liter inline-four, good for 76 horsepower and 93 pound-feet of torque.
At 2,535 pounds, it’s not a featherweight. That will be tough for acceleration or extended highway cruising. But the muted power makes for easy modulation in low-speed off-road situations. It’s lighter than most 4x4s on the market, and its compact size can navigate trails better than a bevy of SEMA brodozers.
The Niva sold on eBay was fully restored to factory specifications. It boasts only 34,828 miles and is titled in New York. The asking price of $15,000 might be more than expected for a 40-year-old Soviet car, but it’s an underrated global icon. Compared to most classic off-roaders, it’s a bargain.
