VAZ-2105 - a new generation of Soviet classics with Italian roots

VAZ cars in the USSR were produced in three generations. The first was completely copied from the Italian Fiats, but finalized according to Soviet realities. The latter was already front-wheel drive - AvtoVAZ still produces such cars, abandoning the rear drive axle.


The strangest can be called the second generation models. They were created on the chassis of the old Fiats, but outwardly differed from their predecessors. The first model of this family is the VAZ-2105. She replaced the Kopeika, beloved by millions of Soviet drivers, and became almost as popular. It is about this car that our today's story.

The story of

Even during the design of a new car plant in 1964, the Soviet government did not take the choice of a foreign partner seriously enough. Fiat undertook to build a new enterprise, but the Italians cheated.


Instead of advising the Soviet Union on a promising family of front-wheel drive cars, they praised their Fiat-124 in every possible way. It was not difficult to understand the Italians - in those years they were not going to abandon the rear drive axle - the re-equipment promised huge costs. Accordingly, Fiat did not have the opportunity to build a plant for the production of front-wheel drive cars in the USSR.


In the mid-70s, when VAZ produced models with an index from 2101 to 2103, it became clear that something urgently needed to be changed. Front-wheel drive cars were in the distant future, but now it was necessary to create a new series on the chassis of the same long-suffering Fiat-124.


And it was not about caring for Soviet drivers - they would have bought any Zhiguli. It was just that the cars were exported, and a foreign client could afford to be picky.

The new generation of cars was developed on the same principle as the previous one. Three cars were supposed to appear in the lineup:

✅ Standard sedan
✅ The same car, but in a luxury version
✅ Universal

In the process of work, the cars changed their design, became more comfortable and safer. At the same time, they saved as much as they could - the base sedan looked almost the same as the luxury sedan, with the exception of small things, such as the presence of chrome elements and trim.


In 1980, the first model of the new family appeared - the VAZ-2105. This car has received a number of improvements. Despite the fact that the car was created on the old platform, its body parts were original. Unless the roof panel remained single, but only because of the complexity of production.

Design Features

At one time, the VAZ-2105 looked stylish and modern. Soviet drivers were especially pleased with square headlights and a new radiator grille.


In general, what to expect from the base model in the family? It was the cheapest, respectively, there are no external frills here. The task of the designers was to create the most budget car, with which they successfully coped.


Now buying a VAZ-2105 for appearance is the height of naivety. It is better to take the "Seven" if you like the classics. Although, in our time decides the safety of the body. If it is whole, it is worth taking regardless of the model. Of course, given that such a car is needed.


As it has already become clear, the main enemy of the Zhiguli car is corrosion. Some do not understand why the grandfathers' cars are still in excellent condition, and their old VAZ is rusting before their eyes.


The fact is that earlier new cars were immediately subjected to full anti-corrosion treatment. And it was done, as a rule, on its own and not at all the way this process is happening now. Then anti-corrosion compounds were made according to the recipes of the “experienced”, everything was poured carefully, so much so that in the summer it oozed from hidden cavities.

Without anticorrosive, the VAZ-2105 will quickly rot, especially during winter operation. Therefore, when buying, you need to look for a whole body. As a rule, if this succeeds, then it will be overcooked and repainted. There is nothing terrible in this, but anti-corrosion treatment will not hurt.

Salon

Asceticism reigns inside the VAZ-2107. Once these cars seemed modern, now the cabin is uncomfortable. There is little space, but the front seats have become definitely more comfortable than those of the VAZ-2101.


But it’s warm in the cabin - the “stove” of classic Soviet cars from Tolyatti has always been famous. And inside it subtly smells of gasoline and other smells of a “real” car familiar from childhood. Romance and nostalgia!

The buyer of the VAZ-2105 must be ready for:

✅ Uncomfortable fit, which is annoying on long trips
✅ Lack of power steering, which even budget cars have long received
✅ Mechanical windows

Passengers on the back sofa are comfortable except for two.

Engines

For the VAZ-2105, a new engine was developed. This power unit with a volume of 1,3 liters was more modern. He developed 69 hp. With. and had a timing belt drive. While this motor was being introduced into mass production, an engine from Kopeyka was installed on the Pyaterka. It had a volume of 1,2 liters and gave out 64 liters. With.


The motor seemed promising, but did not "take root" in the car. The fact is that the new power unit turned out to be unfinished - buyers complained about it.


Modifications with a 1,5 liter engine were called VAZ-21053. They were produced until 2010 - until the car was removed from the assembly line.


The motor was constantly upgraded, the most important change is the appearance of an injector instead of a carburetor. At a certain stage, the car received a submersible electric fuel pump.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of the VAZ-2105 in our time is its cheapness in all respects. You can buy a "Five" from 25 thousand rubles, and it will be a car on the go. The most expensive cars of this model sell for 1 million.

It is also cheap to operate the VAZ-2105. This is the car for which parts are sold by weight in buckets, as in jokes.
The car is suitable as a first, but only for those who want to learn how to understand technology. Unfortunately, many drivers are not interested in the device of the machine. Some do not even know where to fill in oil and other technical fluids.

And the rear-wheel drive car has become a blank for all kinds of tuning projects, amateur and even professional sports.


If earlier the Pyaterka was considered a reliable car, now the owners are complaining about the ball joints in front. Behind the Panhard rod bracket is also not durable. But on the other hand, if there is a pit or overpass, the car is repaired with its own hands.

The reliability of the VAZ-2105 against the background of foreign cars is low. Yes, everything is repaired on a budget, but a rare modern driver agrees to periodically repair the car.

"Five" is an inconspicuous legend. These cars are still working for the benefit of their owners, but their time has passed. The place for the VAZ-2105 is perhaps in the provinces, where they have not even heard of the service station.