Zhiguli of the first model, popularly known by the nickname "penny" - is actually a legendary car in the history of the domestic auto industry, even having Italian roots.
Today the VAZ concern is rightfully the leader of the automotive industry of the Russian Federation. A large volume of products, a variety of models, good quality cars ensure the plant's success in the modern market. However, the owners of modern "Kalin", "Prior" and "Grant" would probably be interested to know how it all began.
The history of the birth of "penny"
In September 1970, a note appeared in the Pravda newspaper that the first small cars rolled off the assembly line of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, which had just been built in Togliatti. By the end of the same year, it was planned to produce about 20 thousand cars. The new car was called VAZ 2101 "Zhiguli". The people very quickly dubbed it "a penny". This event was preceded by a certain history.
The question of building an automobile giant was decided, like everything else in the then USSR, at the very top. The initiator was the chairman of the Council of Ministers of the country A. Kosygin, who received noticeable support from the Secretary General of the Communist Party (at that time the only and ruling in the country) L. Brezhnev.
One of the important economic reasons for making a positive decision was the commodity crisis in the country, which led to surplus cash from citizens, and mass auto production would help "pump out" these finances from the population. In addition, selling cars abroad would help balance the export-import balance of foreign trade. The search for a foreign partner was carried out rather meticulously. The construction contract was awarded to the Italian concern Fiat. The Fiat-124 became the basic model for the new Soviet subcompact.
By the way, by the time the contract was signed, this model was recognized as the best in Europe. The construction of the plant lasted from 1967 to 1970, when the first Zhiguli assembly line was launched. During this time, several Fiat 124 cars have undergone comprehensive tests in the conditions of proving grounds and on the roads of the country. Based on the results of these tests, a new modification of the 124th model was created, which significantly differed from the "basic" version and even received an R (Russia) index in its name.
Interesting facts about the "penny"
The first cars assembled at the VAZ were equipped mainly with Italian parts. Even the radiator grilles were supplied from FIAT, but instead of the corporate emblem, there was … a "hole" in the designated place. The emblem for the new car was simply not invented. I had to urgently solve the problem.
Documentation and sketches of the factory sign (the famous boat with a clearly readable letter "B" (Volzhsky)) for its production were sent to Turin, Italy. During 1970, the word Togliatti was present on the trademarks on the cars, which was later removed due to the fact that it is impossible to correlate the symbolism of the brand name with the geography of the manufacturer.
Certain innovations have been made to the design of the car.
Suffice it to say that for the first time in the USSR, front disc brakes were installed on passenger cars, an overhead camshaft was installed in the cylinder head, a number of changes were made to the design of the piston system, clutch, and suspension elements.
The “kopeck” was also distinguished by its high competitiveness in the world market. The buyer essentially received the same 124th Fiat, but at a much lower cost. And in the countries of the socialist community, the VAZ car could be purchased only on a first come, first served basis.
The production of the famous and beloved by the people "penny" was discontinued in the early 80s. More than 2, 7 million cars of this model have faithfully served and continue to serve their owners to this day.
