Detailed History of the Development of the Niva

Ivan Shevelenko

In the summer of 1970, the chairman of the council of ministers Kosygin arrived at VAZ to look where it has been buried millions and millions money. Satisfied with the done work of companions of builders, it has met designers of VAZ, and has stated them thought, on necessity of the comfortable car for a countryside.

As a matter of fact is became the beginning project 2121. Because in 1970 VAZ worked with FIAT, there were thoughts for usage in production FIAT "Kompanolu", witch was issued in Italy, and was in usage at the Italian gendarmerie and military. But the car was morally and technically become outdated. Also there were requirements all the same on contemporary manufacture to start the modern technics. Therefore the project was rejected. Besides the important role was played by the factor — to use maximum quantity mechanisms from serial 2101.

So, having experience of a headache of the "lifted" cars, have decided to do the car from zero. And the first works went without designers. But only constructors. They tried and result of they work — E2121.

That would not arise at people of superfluous questions — the car was called by "Formika", and have pretended to be Romanians.

Even logos have thought up:

In total it has been made two copies E2121. Green and white. One passed tests for endurance — over another did experiences.

When has arisen engeeners and designers were played, made experiments and compared E2121 to GAZ CARS and UAZ, in work Valery Syomushkin was connected. The continuous designer of the NIVA.

To work over it it has begun still the student when wrote degree work "the countryside Car". As result — to it there was a task in view — to make design of the car, for a countryside. But beautiful, stylish and elegant. That passableness would be also women easily gave (I exaggerate:)).

Creative attempts of companion Syomushkina:

As result — a breadboard model of the new car:

By the way, in a breadboard model the spare wheel under a cowl has been placed. And as it appears — spare wheel it is a burden for the constructor. Then with a field 2123 with it too rushed without knowing where to stick. So, nobody thought of safety, it was necessary it somewhere to place.

To brakes then claims too have begun — if on E2121 forward brakes were drum-type then on 2E2121 they did not cope with loading. Also it was necessary to make brake disk. It was necessary to invent "floating" bracket.

So, after different technical councils, the commissions, abuse — the car have started in pilot production — to make 4 pieces. But somebody from above, has ordered not to touch manual box. To persuade it has not turned out, and make separate transfer case. There alterations that was — longer shaft and other back cover. So is not present. On today descendants disentangle that great decision. Besides, on experimental cars have decided to do a constant full drive. It was necessary to lower load on transmission. Thus it has turned out nowadays existing transfer case.

On colours four samples were divided so: №1 — lemon-yellow. Has left to the Kremlin. №2 — cherry. Experiences on reliability. №3 — mustard. Laboratory researches. №4 — white. Too reliability. And on number two — drive in distant run across Central Asia. On purpose to learn that it for the car. As group support there has gone the UAZ-469. In the course of driving across Central Asia — the muzzle has started to collapse. Have hardly made, and have gone further. In the same place it became clear that at 40 degrees of environment, on sand, the car overheats. But it have given up as a bad job, and fix a current here recently electrofan installation. So, have driven then on a skilled copy nicely — both sand, and Pamir. Have returned on factory, have studied, and have sent with "white" on experiences.

In experiences on passableness — it was studied absolute all. Up to the form of a beam of the forward bridge. And not car "evacuation" was the unimportant factor. Then winch was not — there was only a tractor and crowd of good fellows. In comparative arrivals — 2E2121 lost UAZ. But only in places — where a role played clearance. In the rest — even it was better, at the expense of smaller weight and the best weight. By the way 4й the sample — was broken. Burst rear driveshaft has caused car revolution on a dirt road.

By the way, the tachometer with 2E2121 has for ever registered in the panel of devices. It as aim to secure the engine from "overturn".

So, in January, 1974 two other updating have let out: 3E2121. Plus one more in October. The presented samples differed from 2E2121 optics, a body, an interior. It was field almost habitual to us.

And as a matter of fact, the state quality control of the car which lasted about half a year has begun.

On a state quality control take part a following cars: Izh–14, Luaz-969, UAZ–469B, LandRover 88, Range Rover.

Whether it is long short, but 3E2121 went well. Often leaving competitors behind, for the account of "dynamic passage of obstacles". It was opening for the others peoples. They also could not imagine that so it is possible to pass dirt.

Tests for run have then begun. Long and tiresomely went on the country (USSR), from the North, on the South.

So, the result of tests was positive. With some nuances. On them worked in 4th and 5th series of the car throughout 75–76 years.

In February, 1976 there was XXV congress of the CPSU, and in a gift to it it was necessary to collect 50 cars. These 50 Cars have been given to operation on the different enterprises of the country. And from them 49 has returned on factory for completions. And as the result — in 1977 has earned production line of 62th the assembly case, and the NIVA has begun win the World.