From 1970 to 1988, the Volzhsky Automobile Plant produces the legendary "kopeck", which became the ancestor of the entire line of the classic family of small cars "VAZ".
At the heart of the "VAZ-2101" is the Italian FIAT-124. Fiat manufacturers have seriously modified their car for Russian operation, having made about a thousand modifications to the design. Engines until the end of Kopeyka production were assembled at Fiat and refined at VAZ.
They increased the mass, strengthened the body, suspension, and introduced a new two-chamber carburetor into the power system. Much has been done to improve the strength and safety of the structure, but the engine has undergone major changes. The new engine was much more powerful, the gasoline consumption of the car significantly decreased. After thorough bench tests, the car went into serial production.
In 1974, the VAZ-21011 appeared with a slightly modernized engine and minor changes in appearance. In the new version, there were brake lights, reflectors on the turn signals. In 1977, the VAZ-21013 was produced with a body from the VAZ-21011 and a modernized “kopeck” engine. By 1982, all models, except for the VAZ-21013, ceased to be produced and until 1988 they produced exclusively the VAZ-21013.
Lada with indices 1200, 1300, 1500 - the names of the export versions of the VAZ. "Kopeyka" was presented at exhibitions and competitions, exported to European countries, received many awards, for example, a gold medal in Leipzig in 1975.
