The history of the smallest VAZ car called "Oka" is similar to the scenario of an adventure film. A group of enthusiasts from the engineering department of the wheelchair production plant in the city of Serpukhov set out to rebuild production from single-seat motorcycles to a four-person vehicle for the disabled. But since the capacities of the wheelchair plant were insufficient for such transformations, the engineers turned to AvtoVAZ management, having previously agreed the issue in the Ministry of Automotive Industry.
The appeal of enthusiasts from Serpukhov was heard, and the project to create a microcar was launched. The future car was given the working name "VAZ 1111". The work was not easy, as there was no ready-made chassis and engine, wheels of the appropriate size, too. There was a band of compromises. Tires decided to apply on 13 inches instead of the calculated 12-inch. This immediately removed many of the problems, because all VAZ subcompacts run on 13-inch tires. The question of the engine was also solved in a radical way: they took the regular engine VAZ 2108 and cut off half. After refinement, it turned out a two-cylinder, four-valve, not very reliable, but still the engine "VAZ 1111". Although later, the car began to install a 3-cylinder, 3-cylinder Chinese-made motor with a capacity of 1.0 liters, with a capacity of 33 hp, with an injection injection.
While solving the question of the power plant of the future car, at the same time the body parts were developed. It immediately became apparent that the thresholds were not strong enough due to the very wide doorway. But since the car "VAZ 1111" was prepared for the disabled, the reduction of the opening was in contrast to the main tasks and could significantly restrict the freedom of landing and landing of a person with disabilities. Still, the doorway had to be reduced to the minimum value. The further development of the project suddenly revealed the tendency of the microcar from the category of wheelchair to become a full-fledged vehicle. The laws of the market were inexorable, and the new car was everywhere designated as another AvtoVAZ model called VAZ 1111 Oka. Funding was opened, factory management plans included completely different numbers over previous ones, and Oka production began to unfold in a different capacity. About the version of the microcar for the disabled no one remembered.
It was produced "VAZ 1111 Oka" for almost 20 years, and since the car was cheap, it in a short time became a "people's" car. The increased demand for the "Oka" lasted a long time, but in the end, the excitement began to gradually subside, and by 2006 the car was no longer interested. Retail sales froze, and after a while the production of the national car had to be stopped. Nevertheless, during the years of Oka's production, two significant modifications of the basic model, an open-body pick-up truck and a van were made. But both developments remained without application, there was no demand. In 2008, the production of the VAZ 1111 Oka microcar was finally curtailed. And in January 2013, the management of JSC "AvtoVAZ" made a statement on the resumption of production of the national car in full by 2020. Of course, in an updated, modernized version, using the latest technology.