VAZ-1922 "March" - how a full-fledged snow and swamp vehicle was made from the Niva

VAZ-2121 "Niva" in fact a crossover, despite the off-road arsenal. Even in the Soviet operating instructions it was written that this was a cross-country vehicle.


Despite this, the Niva is often used as a kind of blank for building a full-fledged all-terrain vehicle. That's just the lack of a frame makes the body of a domestic car not rigid enough. Sometimes the car just breaks in half at maximum load.


The Bronto company tried to make a full-fledged snow and swamp-going vehicle out of the Niva. By the way, it is still functioning, closely cooperating with AvtoVAZ, having become part of the VIS. The new car was named VAZ-1922 "March".

First generation history

For the first time, a domestic snow and swamp vehicle was shown in September 1996. The famous “monster trucks” from the USA served as the standard for the creation of the VAZ-1922. The first thing that the visitors of the exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod, where the car was shown, paid attention to - these are huge wheels. They were developed by TREKOL specifically for all-terrain vehicles.

It is noteworthy that in the same 1996, the VAZ-1922 was shown at the International Paris Motor Show. This hints that the sight of the Bronto company was originally on the international market. Partially, the expectations were justified - the new snow and swamp vehicles, called the "March", were indeed bought abroad.

But most of the cars were sold on the Russian market. That is why the manufacturer abandoned the use of elongated bodies VAZ-212180 "Handicap". By the way, Bronto specialists also made them. So most of the VAZ-1922s were assembled on the basis of the short Nivs with the index 2121. All this made it possible to reduce the final cost of the car.


No monster truck is complete without a frame. In order not to make it from scratch, which would increase the cost, the manufacturer decided to take a ready-made power structure from the UAZ-3151, aka 469. The bridges were also borrowed from this domestic car. All this made it possible to simplify and reduce the cost of the model.

Placed on the frame:

✅ Two additional gas tanks
✅ Engine mount
✅ Transfer box
✅ manual transmission

A VAZ-2121 body was installed on top of the frame. Of the other improvements that immediately catch the eye, it is worth noting the large wings that cover the cabin from the dirt flying from under the huge wheels.


By the way, the Bronto company, together with AvtoVAZ, made several expeditions to the North Pole in April 1999 and 2000.
Separately, it is worth noting that initially the Marsh snow and swamp vehicles were not intended for public roads. But this hindered sales - not all potential customers had the opportunity to deliver the car to its destination on a gun carriage.

Therefore, since 2007, the VAZ-1922 appeared with shortened dimensions. This allowed them to get admission on public roads.

The second generation

The Bronto company also produced a more versatile snow and swamp vehicle called the VAZ-1922 March-2. This car received a spacious eight-seater minivan-type body from Lada Nadezhda.

The second and third row can be folded, transforming them into beds. The Marsh-2 still has three fuel tanks, as in the first generation. But their volume is twice as large - 70 liters each. So the power reserve is increased. Plus, the body from the minivan suggests the ability to take more canisters of fuel.


It should be noted that additional tanks of increased volume then began to be installed on the Marches of the first generation.
By the way, since we have touched on the issue of gasoline, it is worth indicating its consumption. We immediately warn you - it is simply huge even for the Niva. The manufacturer claimed an average of 18,8 liters per 100 km.


By the way, in the technical literature you can find information that the Marsh snow and swamp vehicle produces both Bronto and VIS. The fact is that the first company used to be a separate legal entity, and then became part of the second.

Appearance and interior

The VAZ-1922 looks rather strange, but it definitely attracts attention to itself, like any "monster truck". The March is a little short of a full-fledged car of this category from the USA, and in general, it looks more like a homemade product.

One glance at the all-terrain vehicle is enough to understand that it was created for movement where there are only one direction. Thanks to the huge low-pressure tires, the ground clearance is almost 50 centimeters.


Although most all-terrain vehicles are not designed for public roads, you can move on asphalt on them if you really want to. Only this is expensive - soft tires wear out quickly, and it will be expensive to buy new ones. And they are not easy to find, especially now.

At first glance, it is difficult to get into the cockpit - it is high from the ground. But if you look closely, you can see the stirrups from the cable. Despite its simplicity, this solution is justified on the road. If anything, the steps will not interfere, they will bend, and then again take their previous shape.

Inside the VAZ-1922, it is almost an ordinary Niva. Only the more comfortable front seats from the Urban model are immediately noticed.

If you look closely, you can see other features:

✅ Gearshift lever moved closer to the driver for convenience
✅ Tire inflation compressor toggle switch and pressure gauges on later cars
✅ Fuel Tank Switch

And the main difference from the VAZ-2121 is the height of the driver's seat. Compared to the Niva, it seems that you are driving a military truck, like the Ural-4320.

For whom

The main feature of the VAZ-1922 is the low ground pressure. Accordingly, the snow and swamp vehicle does not damage it. This allows you to travel by car everywhere, without fear that the owner will have an unhealthy interest on the part of environmental public services.


VAZ-1922 is popular with hunters, fishermen, geological, oil and gas companies. Of course, those who could afford it. Thanks to a huge number of options, each client could choose a car for their needs.

For lovers of trips for several days, or even weeks, the manufacturer offered a special trailer on the same low-pressure tires. And under the order it was possible to install seat heating and air conditioning.

Technical features

The most surprising thing is that the VAZ-1922 was equipped with a regular engine from the Niva. This is an injection power unit with a volume of 1,7 liters. It gives out the same 83 liters. With. It is strange that at the same time the car is able to actively move, although the speed is up to 70 km / h. However, off-road and up to such figures is unlikely to accelerate, so the only complaint is about fuel consumption.


Later copies of the VAZ-1922 received tires from Avtoros. They are smaller, but the car still floated on the water, albeit low. But the pressure in the wheels in these versions can be adjusted from the cab.


VAZ-1922 moves with equal ease through sand, mud and swamp. We can say that he does not even notice the change in terrain.

The patency of the model on land is no worse than that of tracked vehicles. Plus, "March" also does not damage the soil, and it can swim.

Now VAZ-1922 is not produced. Although, the VIS company does not exclude that the production of the snow and swamp vehicle can be resumed if there is demand, of course.