About the changes UAZ SUVs underwent in the turbulent nineties era, this piece explores the shifts and experiments that defined a generation.
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What was missing for Niva
Popular interest in the Niva sparked a wave of homegrown improvements by enthusiasts. The volume of industrial production by VAZ expanded the base by 500 mm, first in three-door form, then in five-door variants.
The Togliatti firm Bronto, which gained independence in 1998, pursued a distinct path. It began with collector versions of the VAZ‑21213. In the 1990s, when money determined mobility, such cars held strong appeal.
VAZ‑21218 Bronto featured a 300 mm longer wheelbase and a raised roof above the rear seats. From a concept car in 1995, a practical compromise emerged: the VAZ‑21218 Bronto with a roof raised over the rear row, a base length extended by 300 mm (reaching 2500 mm), and doors that grew accordingly. Models powered by 1.7- and 1.8-liter engines donned protective kenguryatnik bumpers and new wheels. Over a decade of production, just over 5,000 units were assembled, a respectable tally for a tuning project.
The Beach variant VAZ‑212183 Landole from the Bronto workshop was produced to order in a batch of only 25 units, a rare sight for the climate in which such machines were not widely demanded.
An extreme Niva creation from Bronto was the VAZ‑1922 March built on a UAZ‑3151 chassis. Another Bronto oddity, the VAZ‑1922 March 1996, used a UAZ‑31512 frame (base 2685 mm) while retaining VAZ‑21213 components. With power steering, oversized low-pressure tires, and a height of 2430 mm, it drifted away from conventional definitions of a car. A similar frame approach was later seen in Mega-Lada projects, which also included power steering and long-travel suspension.
A frame-built, off-road vehicle derived from the Niva was showcased by Mega-Lada. The approach closest to the public, though pricey, involved a Niva fitted with a Peugeot diesel. The 1.9-liter Peugeot engine delivered about 65 kW at 4600 rpm and 135 Nm of torque from as low as 2250 rpm. This change remained an export option, yet a small Chekhov workshop near Moscow also sold versions domestically. Despite the upgrade, serial diesel production for the Niva did not proceed.
VAZ‑21215 appeared as a Niva variant with a Peugeot 1.9 engine. These machines were marketed not only abroad but also within Russia.
Rural fields
Tuning in the 1990s also drew from firms near NAMI, which had lost much of its influence over the local auto sector. The Niva lancer appeared with a distinct external body kit, a fresh look, and a bold stance. A striking model named Bylina, created for a specific client, embodied fierce style and a confident attitude. The saying about the client being always right echoed in this era of bold experimentation.
Niva named Ulan emerged in the late 1990s from the Prestige-NAMI studio, reflecting the period’s appetite for unique reinterpretations.
Bylina stands out as one of the most exotic cars built on the VAZ‑21213 baseline, highlighting the era’s appetite for customization and bravado.
And foreigners there too!
In Western Europe and beyond, UAZ tuning began even earlier. In Italy, Martorelli offered modified UAZs with refreshed paint, new seating, and wheels, plus hardtops in some versions. Engine options included both petrol and diesel, with the Racing variant boasting up to 112 hp from Fiat power units.
One of Martorelli’s tuning options showcased on an Italian‑built UAZ.
Across the ocean in America, plans existed to market a modified UAZ‑31512 with a 184 hp V6 engine. Andoria and other engines were seen on UAZs in Poland and Czechoslovakia. A quirky project named UAZ of America proposed selling UAZs in the United States with a 4.3-liter V6 (184 hp), a motor familiar from the Chevrolet Blazer SUV. In Australia, local importers created Niva variants as well. Generally, the interior remained mostly unchanged abroad, while the exterior gained a new “body kit” look. Some versions offered removable roofs and pickups, with greater rear overhang on certain models.
A British convertible Niva, nicknamed the Lada Cossack Cabrio, captured imaginations for a time.
More stories await—how dreams of four‑wheel drive built on ordinary domestic cars became real. Check back often!
- View modern modifications of the Niva here.
- Behind the wheel can also be read on VKontakte.