Siberian winters were so brutal that early Zhigulis shipped with a hand crank, letting drivers start the engine by muscle alone if the battery froze dead.
Median 102 hp across 624 similar cars
Lead trim: Zhiguli 1.2 L VAZ-2101 four (60 PS / 59 hp)
Lada Zhiguli (VAZ-2101)VAZ-2101 · 1970–1988
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Lada Zhiguli (VAZ-2101) yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactSiberian winters were so brutal that early Zhigulis shipped with a hand crank, letting drivers start the engine by muscle alone if the battery froze dead.
The VAZ-2101 "Zhiguli", nicknamed "Kopeyka" after the smallest Soviet coin, was AvtoVAZ's first product, introduced in 1970 as a licence-built and heavily re-engineered version of the Fiat 124 (also related to the SEAT 124 and Iran's Paykan/1800). A first variant used a purpose-designed 1,198 cc overhead-cam four (never used in a Fiat) making 60 PS (44 kW, 59 hp) for a 140 km/h top speed and 0-100 km/h in about 20 seconds; later cars gained a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre four. Front engine, rear-wheel drive, 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic; wheelbase 2,424 mm (95.4 in), length 4,075 mm (160.4 in, sedan), width 1,610 mm (63 in), height 1,382 mm (54.4 in), curb weight 955 kg (2,105 lb). Later facelifted as the VAZ-2105/2107 "Riva/Nova", already covered separately in this catalogue.
Collectors Spotted in the Lada Zhiguli (VAZ-2101) Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Lada Zhiguli (VAZ-2101) yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zhiguli 1.2 L VAZ-2101 four (60 PS / 59 hp) | 1970–1988 | 1.2 L Inline-4 | 59 hp | 64 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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