For $17,900, This Bagged 1978 Lada Could Be Yours

I suppose for people outside the United States, Soviet-era runabouts like this 1978 VAZ 2101 currently on eBay aren’t that big a deal. But us Yanks have famously short attention spans, so when something different comes along, we take notice. Especially if it’s red and slammed.

So what are the details on this particular car of the people? Actually, aside from the air bag suspension, mechanically speaking it’s as factory stock as it was when originally assembled, presumably by very happy citizens not at all threatened with extermination should they fail to properly tighten the seat bolts. It shows 56,000 original miles, which is certainly low for a 37-year-old car, but honestly I have no idea if that’s good for a Lada. The seller states that the 1.3-litre, 67bhp Fiat engine was rebuilt 5000 miles ago.

The seller lists a few cosmetic upgrades, including an alarm, a “high quality” stereo system, a sport steering wheel, red accents throughout the interior, fresh red exterior paint, a truck horn to make it sound far more intimidating than it looks, and oh-so-sweet kerb feelers up front. Though I must ask—if you can’t identify your location relative to the kerb in a vehicle this size, should you really be driving? Doesn’t matter. The kerb feelers stay. Why? Because in Soviet Russia, kerb feels you.

Then again, this car isn’t in Soviet Russia. It’s in Marco Island on the southwest side of Florida, which ironically enough isn’t too far from St. Petersburg. The VAZ is said to be in excellent working condition with all original parts, and though it doesn’t have air conditioning (in south Florida, yikes), the seller does have the car’s full history. It was originally given as a gift to a Soviet official, who eventually gave it to his grandson. It was then sold to a person who eventually imported it to America six months ago, when the current owner picked it up. I’m a big fan of vehicle history, and as far as I’m concerned that adds all kinds of great charm and character to this little Lada.

Okay all you LS-swappers out there—here’s your new challenge. It’s already rear-wheel drive with a manual transmission; who wouldn’t want to hear a full-blown ‘Murica soundtrack blasting from this Cold War relic? Or, I suppose keeping it comfortably stock would be nice too. I can see me now, cruising St. Petersberg to pick up Russian women who find such machines and the men driving them to be interesting. "Why yes, those are my kerb feelers. Want to go for a ride?" Da, comrade! This could be good…