VAZ-2101. The legendary "Kopeika"

"Zhiguli" VAZ-2101 is a small Soviet car, the first model created under the license of the Italian concern "Fiat" based on the Fiat 124. The car was manufactured from 1971 to 1982, the total was 2 million 700 thousand units, and thus, A car can be justly considered a national car. At the same time, the cost of the car was quite consistent with its status. The base "Kopeyka" VAZ-2101, as it was nicknamed by motorists, laid the foundation for a whole family of VAZ models, it was the 2102 station wagon, the upgraded VAZ-2103, the upgraded 2106, the 2105 and 2107. All of them were assembled on a 2101 chassis using the parameters and characteristics of the proven " Copecks. "

Agreement with the Italian car concern

In August 1966, the Moscow Office of the Foreign Trade Authority signed a licensing contract with the Italian firm Fiat on cooperation in the production of cars. Under the terms of the contract, a project was approved for the construction of a plant on the territory of the USSR for the release of three models-prototypes 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 was categorically unable to be operated in the USSR off-road conditions.

The main problems were the insufficient strength of the box body made of thin metal, the inefficiency of the rear disc brakes and low ground clearance. The body simply was unstucked when driving on potholes and bumps, its design was designed for maximally wide window openings of the front and rear glass, thin racks could not withstand the "twisting" loads. The rear brakes just did not work, and the low draft of the car caused the impacts of the ground on the crankcase and the protruding elements of the front suspension.

As a result of the tests, the future model VAZ-2101, the characteristics of which needed refinement, received rear drum-type brakes, the ground clearance was increased by 30 millimeters, and the body, instead of spot welding, was now fully welded in all connections. In addition, the engine's camshaft was moved from the bottom to the top, this was done for the convenience of Soviet car owners who are accustomed to independently adjust valve clearances. The process was uncomplicated, the air filter was removed from the carburettor, and the camshaft cover became fully accessible. It was necessary to unscrew eight nuts pressing it to the block of cylinders. After removing the cover, the crankshaft was scrolled according to a certain pattern, in the right order, in such a way that the valves were released alternately. Each valve was checked for a gap between its shank and the rocker arm. If necessary, the gap is reduced or increased. After the gaps were checked on all valves, the lid 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, the photo of which is presented in the article, Assembled in April 1970, the conveyor was tested in August, and for a given, but not full capacity, assembly shop came out in the following year, 1971. Then it was issued 172 176 cars. In 1972, 379 008 machines came off the assembly line, and the plant was fully operational in 1974. In the course of production, the model was improved, paint technologies were perfected, the best materials were selected for complete noise isolation and improving the overall comfort level.

Indexing

To index the cars produced at the car factory in Togliatti, it was decided to apply the accounting standards in accordance with the industry document of the Ministry of the Automobile Industry - ON 025270-66, which contained the rules 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 figures are a model. Each modification of the car is assigned an additional fifth digit, the serial number. Operation VAZ-2101 largely depended on the index numbers, as the machines were distributed along the climatic zones. The sixth digit of the index indicates climatic binding: 1 - for cold climate, 6 - export car for moderate conditions, 7 - export option for tropics, 8 and 9 - reserve positions for other export modifications. Individual machines are designated as transient, digital combinations - 01, 02, 03, 04 and so on. As a rule, the digital set is preceded by a letter designating the plant, which produces this model of the car on an ongoing basis.

Power point

Model VAZ-2101 was equipped with a high-speed petrol engine, capacity of 64 liters. With a cylinder capacity of 1300 cubic meters. See The construction repeated the main parameters of the widespread in-line, four-cylinder engines. The timing element consisted of a drive gear, a tensioner, 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 with the help of a non-freezing liquid of the "Tosol" type circulating in a closed loop with passage through the radiator. Combustible mixture was supplied by the single-chamber diffuser carburetor "Weber". The ignition was provided by a rotor-type contact interrupter connected to the oil pump drive . In general, the engine was a reliable power unit, economical and inexpensive to maintain.

Transmission

The VAZ2101 was equipped with a mechanical 4-speed gearbox with the following gear ratios:

• 3.75 - the first transfer;
• 2.30 - second gear;
• 1,49 - the third transfer;
• 1.00 - the fourth (direct) transmission;
• 3,87 - reverse gear;
• Gears of a forward course - a helical profile, a permanent engagement;
• Reverse gears - straight;
• Synchronizers - on all transmissions, except for the rear;
• Switching control - floor lever;

Transmission of rotation to the rear wheels

The car VAZ-2101 was produced only in the rear-wheel drive version. The torque was transmitted through a propshaft with an integrated support. The crosspiece with needle bearings was an intermediate link between the cardan and the flange of the planetary gear. By means of the differential, the rotation was transmitted to the two semi axles of the rear axle, connected with the brake drums, to which the wheels were fixed by means of four bolts.

Brake system

Central hydraulics, steel pipelines, disc calipers on the front wheels and drums on the rear. This is the braking system VAZ-2101, efficient and constructively reliable. Front disc brakes are unventilated, cast-iron construction combined with a hub, provided a run without replacement with a resource of 60 thousand kilometers. The front brake caliper consisted of two cylinders, with self-resetting pistons, which, under the action of hydraulic pressure on the brake pads, pressing them to the disk from both sides.

Rear brakes VAZ-2101, drum, self-adjusting, consisted of two pads, brake cylinders and the drum itself, on which the wheels are mounted. To the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels, the parking brake eccentric was supplied, which was connected by means of a flexible cable with a tension lever installed in the passenger compartment between the front seats.

Chassis

The front suspension VAZ-2101, independent, consists of two stamped levers, mounted on the front beam with the help of silent blocks. The upper and lower arms are connected to the pivot pin by ball joints. The left and right linkage pairs are joined by a special profiled bar of lateral stability, which is threaded into rubber bushings. The purpose of this device is to absorb the oscillations of the front suspension.

The rear suspension of the car VAZ-2101, the pendulum, consists of levers connecting the body and brackets of the rear axle according to the principle of articulation. Also, the rear axle and the body connects the beam to the lateral stability, not allowing the wheels to move in a horizontal plane relative to the body.

Both the front and rear suspension are backed by steel twisted spirals, combined with hydraulic shock absorbers.

The cost of VAZ-2101

Most of the cars that descended from the assembly line in Togliatti have already undergone major repairs several times. Weak place VAZ-2101, photos confirm this, the front fenders, which are prone to through corrosion in places above the wheel arch, as well as thresholds that are poorly protected from ingress of water and dirt. And yet, in general, a reliable car is still sold and bought. VAZ-2101, the price of which varies within certain limits, can be purchased from the hands or in the car dealership. Some well-maintained specimens, with rare signs, can be quite expensive, they are bought mainly for the collection, and not for traveling. The old car VAZ-2101, which requires repair, costs about 20 thousand rubles. Cars on the move, in good condition, are priced more expensively, in the range of 30-80 thousand rubles, and rarity, with an impeccable interior, a silent engine and a sparkling exterior rise in price to 150,000 rubles, and sometimes even higher.