The ISV sports car, named after its creator Ivantsov Sergey Vladimirovich, stands out in a field of homemade products with a design that is both balanced and harmonious. Its refined build quality and careful detailing mark it as more than a simple project.
It is no surprise that the car has evolved over decades, continually receiving upgrades to stay current and relevant.
List of donors
conceived in 1982 during an era of shortages, the project gathered components from whatever could be found. The windshield came from a RAF vehicle, the rear window from Ikarus glass, and the chassis along with various units were sourced from a Niva.
Over time, the team replaced many domestic parts with imported equivalents. The braking system was updated with parts from a VW Passat B5. Inside, the ventilation grilles, the dashboard, and the seats trace their origins to an Audi 80. Every element has been redesigned beyond the original concept, with even the switchgear on the center console of the VAZ-2110 becoming unrecognizable after the rebuild.
Original front optics yielded to lenses from a Passat and diffusers from a Matiz. Lanterns from an American trailer were adopted as a base, upgraded with LEDs and hand-turned chrome trim and updated turn signals.
The interior’s symmetry, complete with two visors, pays homage to American sports cars from the 1960s.
three hearts
From the Niva, the car inherited not only the chassis but also key powertrain components — the engine, gearbox, and rear axle. In the early 2000s, an engine from a BMW three-series appeared under the hood. The four-cylinder M40 engine delivers 1.8 liters of displacement and about 113 horsepower.
Later, a third engine was installed, also from the BMW family but more powerful — a 1.8-liter M42 with 140 horsepower and sixteen valves. Instead of a manual transmission, an automatic unit of the same family was fitted. The gearbox required a bit of clever tailoring to fit under the hood, including shortening some stiffeners on the crankcase.
The 16-valve M42 engine marks the car’s third and likely final powerplant.
Sculpted from children’s plasticine
The car’s body architecture follows a classic formula for such builds: a space frame constructed from rectangular tubing, over which fiberglass panels are mounted. Creating the panels involved extensive mock-up work with plasticine to shape molds. The creator sourced window putty and children’s plasticine from stores, generating attention among onlookers during the process.
The initial assembled body did not meet expectations, prompting a fresh start. Gradually a new silhouette emerged, one that aligned with the maker’s vision.
The designer did not settle for the first version of the body and chose to begin anew, refining lines and proportions until the form pleased the creator.
Looks good but doesn’t drive well
ISV is best described as a show car rather than a true sports car. Its appearance is striking and draws approving glances from passersby. Yet the handling does not mirror the visual appeal.
Underneath, the Niva-derived undercarriage contributes noticeable body roll and delayed steering response, even though the overall layout keeps a relatively low center of gravity. Still, the ISV delivers respectable performance for a design of its kind.
The engine options outpace the suspension and braking behavior; it stops with confidence that often exceeds the control feel at the driver’s helm.
Static, the ISV looks spectacular; in motion it does not consistently deliver the same level of predictability or refinement.
Dreaming is not bad!
The ISV evokes memories of the De Lorean, sharing its dramatic silhouette and a road presence that invites curiosity.
Unlike the De Lorean project, which aimed to captivate buyers and fortune, the ISV was created to express personal passion. The builder pursued a dream and wanted to share the emotions behind it, convinced that such an endeavor would resonate with others.
In this sense, the vehicle is more than a machine; it is a statement of intent and a testament to hands-on creativity.
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