HISTORY OF THE LADA FACTORY AND THE MODEL "Zhiguli"
In 1966 the Soviet Union decided to establish a new car factory at the service of "People's Economy". This factory was intended to improve the numbers of the cars affordable and available for this huge territory (few hundred million people). After WW.II. the aotomobile production was so low that it gave 5 (five!) cars for every 1000 (one thousand!) people. At this time this ratio was more hundreds to the thousand in West-EU countries. FIAT has signed a contract with the Soviet government, regarding the build of a new factory. The contract included shipping the tools, starting the production. They also sold the license for producing Fiat 124, which had been the Car of the Year in 1965. 660,000 cars were planned to produce a year, in the factory on the bank of river Volga.

Below you can see Fiat 124, tha base model for Lada 2101.

An interesting fact is that parallel with building the factories, in 1970, the first cars were built. For the first time 2101 and 2102 left the factory. The usage of the planned capacity went 100% in 1975 for the first time.

2101: the basic model of the factory. The first piece left the factory at 19th Apr 1970. A common question is about the differences to Fiat-124. Well, one of the main parts which have been improved is the engine. Our good old friend is the 1200cc 2101 engine. Don't laugh on that, this engine layout was up-to-date in the seventies. Chain-driven valvetrain has just came back in Suzuki or Opel models. This engine was a fashionable short-stroke, high-rev engine at the time. The short stroke was regarded an advantage at those times because it does not give a tall engine, which can be assembled solid-state. Due to the short piston travel its averaged speed is low. This results a long lifetime. The short stroke at the same displacement gives you a large cylinder diameter, whch in turn enables you to use bigger valves. This ways the efficiency of the cylinder loading can be increased, therefore the effective average pressure is increased too. Backdraws are big piston and bearing forces, infavourable shape of combustion chamber. This latter one results in worse burning of the air-fuel mixture and ends up in larger heat loss (through the cylinder wall).

2102: At these times a van was used as a small truck, this way the rear coil springs were designed to bear heavier weight. Wheel rims were 5" wide instead of 4.5", and tyres were 165mm wide. Fuel tank capacity was increased to 45 litres. Rear axle ratio was modified from 1:4,1 to 1:4,44. The top speed was decreased by this ratio modification by 5 kph.
In the photo below: 2101 and 2102.

2103: The other basic model of the factory was built on the schema of the Fiat Special sporty models. This model might be the top model of the VAZ factory. Faster and more comfortable than the 2101. This model gave the factory the 1,000,000th piece. What can be its secret? Just take a look at the motorways! Clients love GT, GTi, GSi, etc. models. The 1500cc 2103 was a model like those, affordable for almost everyone. Olympic winners got this model after their win from the government as a gift. Engine was 2103, 1500ccm, long stroke. Designers left the bore-up method of increasing the displacement. They enlarged the cylinder block and used a new crankshaft. The result is 15BHP and marvellous torque diagram. They took care of the safety too. Powerbrake, self-adjusting rear brake drum plates, Radial tyres. Noise in the cockpit was reduced by special carpets. The only thing which was not accepted by automotive community was the too high level of shiny crome trim.
Fiat 124 Special
Lada 2103

21011: starting the production in 23th July 1974, this was the frist car of VAZ factory which was not a brandnew model but an improved version of an existing model. What are the most important differences to 2101? 79mm bore gave you 1300cc instead of 1200cc. This means 69BHP. More comfortable seats and improved cockpit ventilation were applied. Modified steering wheel trim, facelifted bumpers. Warning light for brake-fluid level was installed. Front indicator lights were yellow from now on (compared to white), parking lights were integrated within the headlights. Bigger and more safe rearview mirrors were introduced. Rear-drive light was a factory default from now on. When 2101 production was stopped, 2101 engines were installed into this body.

2106: The goal of this model was to improve the comfort level and safety of the 2103. Body was improved too. Better ecological results were aimed. This model has a 1600cc engine with the pistons of 21011, crankshaft of 2103. This model had a warning light for the first time. When this model got the 2103 engine, the RWD series' best selling model was started to be replaced by 21061. This model is also produced nowadays - but not for an export, due to the ecological properties. (Which do not match the strict EU regulations).
Lada 2106

2105: the basic model's further improvement ended up in this specific model. Head rests, improved head- and taillights, powerbrake. Totally redesigned engine: belt-driven valvetrain. Improved pistons. "Ozone" carburettor where the secondary barrel is opened by vacuum diaphragm instead of mechanic arms. Load-dependent ignition advance based on intake barrel vacuum too. This is the basis of the legendary VFTS racecar.

Lada 2105
LADA VFTS (180 HP!)

2104: the new van after 2102. Its technical basis is actually the 2105.

Lada 2104

2107: of course 2105 had to be improved too. The chromium trim was concentrated on the front of the car, this way it got the nickname of "iron nose". Some of them got the 5-speed gearbox for street use.

Lada 2107

2108: in 1984 there was a revolutionary change in the Soviet car production. The Samara family was introduced with front wheel drive. The design was partly done by the German Porsche design company. The model for inside the USSR was called Sputnik.

Lada Samara 2108

2109: five-door version of Samara (2108). Four and five-speed gearbox was available.

Lada 2109