VAZ-2103 Zhiguli: the deluxe Lada 1500 of the 1970s

The VAZ-2103 Zhiguli was the deluxe compact saloon of the classic Lada range, built from 1972 to 1984 and known abroad as the Lada 1500. It was developed jointly with Fiat alongside the Fiat 124 Special and shared its basis with that car. At home it was nicknamed Troika, meaning the three.

VAZ-2103 at a glance

History of the VAZ-2103

A joint project with Fiat

The VAZ-2103 was developed by VAZ and FIAT at the same time as the Fiat 124 Special, and the two models shared the same basis and influenced each other. Externally it differed from the VAZ-2101 by its double sets of headlights, a different grille and direction indicators, side mouldings and larger taillights. Its main difference was the more powerful 75 hp 1,452 cc straight-four petrol engine. It also had a vacuum brake booster, self-adjusting rear brakes and a new front panel based on the Fiat 125. Inside, the trim was more upmarket, with a different steering wheel, cloth upholstery on export versions instead of the 2101’s vinyl, a dashboard with wood imitation, a tachometer, an oil pressure gauge and a clock.

Production and export

Compared with the Fiat 124 Special, the VAZ-2103 used thicker-gauge steel, which brought its weight to 1,030 kg — 105 kg more than the Fiat. It had an overhead-camshaft engine in place of the Fiat’s OHV unit and aluminium drum brakes at the rear instead of discs. Like the 2101 it was adapted to Russian conditions: the suspension, carburettor and other parts were changed, and it kept a starting handle, an auxiliary fuel pump and better soundproofing. The car was a hit in the Soviet Union and was considered a prestigious model, popular among white-collar workers, while the Tolyatti plant could not keep up with demand. Exports to Western Europe began in 1974, after the Fiat 124 was discontinued in favour of the 131 Mirafiori, and it was sold there until the early 1980s as a de luxe version of the VAZ-2101. In Britain it was offered from May 1976 to May 1979. The 2106 began to replace it in 1976, but the 2103 stayed in production until 1984 and was the first VAZ model to be discontinued, mainly because of the complexity and expense of its chrome parts.

The variants

The basic VAZ-2103 was joined by the 21033 from 1977 to 1984, a version with the 1.3-litre engine of the VAZ-21011 producing 69 hp and sold in the West as the Lada 1300S; it reached the Soviet market around 1981–1982 as a cheaper alternative. The 21035 was a potential 1.2-litre version with the VAZ-2101 engine, but it is very poorly documented and there is no evidence of series production. The right-hand-drive 21032 was sold in Britain as the Lada 1500 Saloon, while a planned right-hand-drive 1.3-litre 21036 never entered production. The index 21031 was used twice: originally for the car that became the VAZ-2106, and later in 1975 for a small number of 2103s fitted with the 1.6-litre engine as test mules for the new model.

Design and features

• Twin headlights: four lamps, a new grille and larger taillights marked it out from the 2101.
• More power: a 1,452 cc engine with 75 hp, a noticeable step up from the 1.2-litre car.
• Better brakes and equipment: a vacuum brake booster and self-adjusting rear brakes.
• Deluxe interior: wood imitation on the dashboard, a tachometer, an oil pressure gauge and a clock.
• Export appeal: sold as the Lada 1500 in Western Europe, including Britain from 1976.

VAZ-2103 versions

• VAZ-2103 (1972–1984): the base 1.5-litre saloon, exported as the Lada 1500.
• VAZ-21033 (1977–1984): 1.3-litre version with 69 hp, exported as the Lada 1300S.
• VAZ-21035: a poorly documented 1.2-litre variant with no proven series production.
• VAZ-21032: right-hand-drive model sold in the United Kingdom.
• VAZ-21036: planned right-hand-drive 1.3-litre version that was never produced.

The 2103 was the luxury companion to the VAZ-2101, and it was replaced by the VAZ-2106. More classic Ladas are in the VAZ collection.

Sources

• VAZ-2103, English Wikipedia: development, production, export, variants