The Lada VAZ-2101 is a small Soviet car, the first model created under license from the Italian Fiat concern based on the Fiat 124. The car was produced from 1971 to 1982, a total of 2 million 700 thousand units were assembled, and thus a car can rightfully be considered popular. At the same time, the cost of the car was consistent with its status. The basic “Kopeyka” VAZ-2101, as motorists called it, laid the foundation for a whole family of VAZ models, this is the 2102 station wagon, the improved VAZ-2103, the modernized 2106, the models 2105 and 2107. All of them were assembled on the 2101 chassis using the parameters and characteristics of the tested " Pennies. "
Agreement with the Italian automobile concern
In August 1966, a license contract was signed with the Italian company Fiat at the Moscow office of Vneshtorg on cooperation in the production of cars. Under the terms of the agreement, a project was approved for the construction of a plant in the USSR for the production of three prototype models Fiat 124: VAZ-2101 (sedan), VAZ-2102 (station wagon) and luxury car - VAZ-2103.
Fiat 124 and Russian roads
When the Italian Fiat 124 was brought to Russian roads for testing on a number of parameters, the results were disappointing. The machine categorically could not be operated in off-road conditions of the USSR.
The main problems were the insufficient strength of the box body made of thin metal, the inefficiency of the rear disc brakes and the low ground clearance. The body simply stuck when driving along potholes and potholes, its design was designed for the widest window openings of the front and rear windows, thin racks could not withstand "twisting" loads. The rear brakes simply did not work, and the low draft of the car was the cause of impacts on the ground with a sump and protruding front suspension elements.
As a result of tests, the future model VAZ-2101, the characteristics of which needed to be improved, received rear drum-type brakes, ground clearance was increased by 30 millimeters, and the body, instead of spot welding, was now boiled completely in all joints. In addition, the engine camshaft was moved from bottom to top, this was done for the convenience of Soviet car owners who are accustomed to independently adjust valve clearances. The process was simple, the air filter was removed from the carburetor, and the camshaft cover became fully accessible. It was necessary to unscrew the eight nuts holding it to the cylinder block. After removing the cover, the crankshaft was scrolled according to a certain scheme, in the necessary order, in such a way that the valves were released in turn. Each valve was checked for clearance between its shank and rocker. If necessary, the gap decreased or increased. After the clearances on all valves were checked, the cover was closed, the air filter was installed back, and the machine was ready for further operation.
The first six copies of the VAZ-2101 model, a photo of which are presented in the article, They were assembled in April 1970, they tested the conveyor in August, and at a given, but not full capacity, the assembly shop was launched the following year, 1971. Then 172 176 cars were produced. In 1972, 379,008 vehicles left the assembly line, and the plant started operating in full force in 1974. In the course of production, the model was improved, paint technologies were developed, the best materials were selected for complete noise isolation and to increase the overall level of comfort.
Indexing
To index cars produced at the car factory in Togliatti, it was decided to apply accounting standards in accordance with the industry document of the Ministry of the Automotive Industry - OH 025270-66, which contained the regulation for the classification of vehicles.
According to the prescription, each new model must be assigned a four-digit index, the first two digits of which are the designation of the class of the machine and its purpose. The next two numbers are the model. Each vehicle modification is assigned an additional, fifth digit, serial number. The operation of the VAZ-2101 was largely dependent on the numbers of the index, since the machines were distributed among climatic zones. The sixth digit of the index indicates the climate reference: 1 - for a cold climate, 6 - an export car for moderate conditions, 7 - an export option for the tropics, 8 and 9 - reserve positions for other export modifications. Separate cars are designated as transitional, by digital combinations - 01, 02, 03, 04 and so on. As a rule, a digital set is preceded by a letter designation that identifies the plant that produces this vehicle model on an ongoing basis.
Power point
The VAZ-2101 model was equipped with a high-speed gasoline engine with a capacity of 64 liters. with., with a cylinder capacity of 1300 cubic meters. see. The design repeated the basic parameters of the widespread in-line, four-cylinder engines. The timing consisted of a drive gear, a tensioning mechanism, a camshaft and cams driving the valves. Lubrication was provided by a pump driving oil under pressure throughout the engine system. Cooling was carried out using antifreeze fluid type "Tosol" circulating in a closed circuit with passage through a radiator. The fuel mixture was supplied by a Weber single-chamber diffuser carburetor. Ignition was provided by a rotary contact breaker associated with the oil pump drive . In general, the engine was a reliable power unit, economical and inexpensive to maintain.
Transmission
A mechanical 4-speed gearbox with the following gear ratios was installed on the VAZ2101:
- 3.75 - first gear;
- 2,30 - second gear;
- 1.49 - third gear;
- 1.00 - fourth (direct) transmission;
- 3.87 - reverse gear;
- forward gears - helical profile, permanent gearing;
- reverse gears - straight;
- synchronizers - in all gears, except the rear;
- shift control - floor lever;
Rear Wheel Drive
The VAZ-2101 car was produced only in the rear-wheel drive version. Torque was transmitted through a cardan shaft with an integrated support. A spider with needle bearings was an intermediate link between the cardan and the planetary gear flange. Through the differential, the rotation was transmitted to two rear axle axles connected to the brake drums, on which the wheels were fastened with four bolts.
Brake system
Central hydraulics, steel pipelines, disc calipers on the front wheels and rear drums. Such is the VAZ-2101 brake system, efficient and structurally reliable. The front disc brakes are non-ventilated, a cast-iron construction combined with a hub provided mileage without replacement with a resource of 60 thousand kilometers. The front brake caliper consisted of two cylinders, with self-returning pistons, which, under the action of hydraulics, pressed on the brake pads, pressing them to the disc on both sides.
The rear brakes of the VAZ-2101, drum, self-adjusting, consisted of two pads, brake cylinders and directly the drum on which the wheels are mounted. An eccentric of the parking brake was connected to the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels, which was connected by means of a flexible cable to the tensioner lever installed in the passenger compartment between the front seats.
Chassis
The front suspension of the VAZ-2101, independent, consists of two stamped levers mounted on the front beam using silent blocks. The upper and lower levers are connected to the pivot pin by ball bearings. The left and right lever pair are united by a special profiled bar of lateral stability threaded into rubber bushings. The purpose of this device is to absorb the vibrations of the front suspension.
The rear suspension of the VAZ-2101, the pendulum, consists of levers connecting the body and the brackets of the rear axle according to the principle of articulated interaction. Also, the rear axle and the body are connected by a beam of lateral stability, which does not allow the wheels to move in a horizontal plane relative to the body.
Both the front and rear suspension are reinforced with steel twisted spirals combined with hydraulic shock absorbers.
The cost of the VAZ-2101
Most of the cars that rolled off the assembly line in Tolyatti have already undergone major repairs. The weak point of the VAZ-2101, photos confirm this, the front wings, which are susceptible to through corrosion in places above the wheel arch, as well as thresholds that are poorly protected from ingress of water and dirt. Nevertheless, in general, a reliable car is still being sold and bought. VAZ-2101, the price of which varies within certain limits, can be purchased from hand or at a car dealership selling used cars. Some well-kept specimens, with rare signs, can be quite expensive, they are bought mainly for collection, and not for traveling. An old car VAZ-2101, requiring repair, costs about 20 thousand rubles. Cars on the go, in good condition, are valued more expensively, in the range of 30–80 thousand rubles, while rare cars with an impeccable interior, a silent engine and a sparkling exterior rise in price to 150 000 rubles, and sometimes even higher.