Among the whole variety of rear-wheel drive VAZ cars, every true “Zhigulist” has his own favorite model: someone likes naive round-headed “penny”, others like more angular cars of the fifth family, others generally “go crazy” for station wagons ... However, a significant part of the fans Togliatti classics is sure that it is the VAZ-2106 that is “the best Zhiguli of all times and peoples”, a sort of pinnacle of the rear-wheel drive line of the Volga Automobile Plant. Arguments are presented in a variety of ways. We will try to collect these puzzles into a single picture, which will help answer the question in the affirmative or negative: was the “six” really the best, and why?
A bit of history
The next Zhiguli model with a “working” index VAZ-21031 (similar to the VAZ-21011) was supposed to be a modernized “three-ruble note”, which we recalled quite recently. If the VAZ-2103 was positioned as a luxury version of the usual Zhiguli, then the "six" was supposed to become an even more comfortable and dynamic version of the "troika" itself. So to speak, a complete suite.
At the same time, the designers still did not have carte blanche for a serious body upgrade - as in the case of the "three rubles", they were only allowed to slightly modify the front and rear. At the same time, the new car was supposed to get rid of the “sixties touch” - more angular lines and a significant use of plastic parts in the decoration were rapidly coming into fashion. In addition, the designers had to solve the opposite problem in this way - a more “luxurious” model at cost price had to be made cheaper than the previous one, abandoning complex and expensive parts to manufacture, such as the radiator grille framing the optics and bumpers with L-shaped ends.
The VAZ designers coped with their task “perfectly well”, which we will talk about a little later and in more detail. In the meantime, a little chronology. The first "six" was assembled at the end of 1975, and already in February 1976, mass production of the VAZ-2106 began. In December of the same year, the "six" became the three millionth car produced in Tolyatti, and in June 1978, the four millionth. A year later, the "six" was also noted as the millionth Soviet car delivered to the countries of the Union for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA).
At the Volga Automobile Plant, the sixth model was produced until 2001 - that is, exactly a quarter of a century. And in 1998, famous for its default, the “geography of distribution of the six” became more extensive, because its production was partially transferred to other enterprises - first to Syzran to the Roslada plant, and then to the IzhAvto enterprise in Izhevsk, where it was produced until the end of 2005 of the year. Thus, the "six" at different car factories produced a total of exactly thirty years - one of the longest conveyor life for a particular model. Of course, during the release process, it was not without upgrades and updates, which did not always benefit the machine itself. And yet, how did the "six" manage to earn such love and respect from Soviet and Russian motorists? After all, cars with characteristic plastic "glasses" around four round headlights have produced no less than four million copies in three decades - again, almost a record figure for one particular model.
Technique
The VAZ designers V. Antipin and V. Pashko were able to really modernize the “three-ruble note” with minimal means, to make its appearance stricter, more concise and at the same time “fashionable”.
vaz_2106__zhiguli__6
Plastic “fangs” and bumper endings, headlight bezels, completely original taillights in design, other caps - it would seem that small touches, but the “six” was really perceived by contemporaries as a new model, and not a modification of the usual “troika”.
"Six" looked even more prestigious VAZ-2103
"Six" looked even more prestigious VAZ-2103
At the same time, the designers and artists faced a very difficult task: they had to improve the Italian development without spoiling it at the same time. By that time, VAZ had already gained sufficient experience and had a certain taste, which made it possible to make the “six” even better.
BEFORE THE LATER DEVELOPMENTS OF THE FIFTH FAMILY, THE VAZ-2106 STILL HAD ONE DEFINITE "EXTERIOR" ADVANTAGE - ITS APPEARANCE WAS MUCH MORE COMPLETE.
After all, on the "zero fifth" and "zero seventh" models, the angular bottom was by no means ideally combined with a smooth roof and a small slope of the pillars and windows (especially the side ones).
Enough changes in the interior. In the cabin of the “six”, the completely velor upholstery of the seats attracted attention, head restraints appeared on the front ones, and in the instrument cluster there was a separate signaling device for insufficient brake fluid level and a rheostat that smoothly changes the brightness of the backlight.
BEFORE THE LATER DEVELOPMENTS OF THE FIFTH FAMILY, THE VAZ-2106 STILL HAD ONE DEFINITE "EXTERIOR" ADVANTAGE - ITS APPEARANCE WAS MUCH MORE COMPLETE.
After all, on the "zero fifth" and "zero seventh" models, the angular bottom was by no means ideally combined with a smooth roof and a small slope of the pillars and windows (especially the side ones).
Enough changes in the interior. In the cabin of the “six”, the completely velor upholstery of the seats attracted attention, head restraints appeared on the front ones, and in the instrument cluster there was a separate signaling device for insufficient brake fluid level and a rheostat that smoothly changes the brightness of the backlight.
Even such an insignificant "trifle" by today's standards as an alarm, also first appeared on the "six". Another new detail is the windshield washer stalk instead of the footswitch found on earlier models.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE OF THE VAZ-2106 OVER OTHER MODELS OF LADA IS HIDDEN UNDER THE HOOD
Even such an insignificant "trifle" by today's standards as an alarm, also first appeared on the "six". Another new detail is the windshield washer stalk instead of the footswitch found on earlier models.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE OF THE VAZ-2106 OVER OTHER MODELS OF LADA IS HIDDEN UNDER THE HOOD.
As with the 1.3-litre 21011 variant, the designers increased the bore from 76 to 79 mm, which, combined with the triple stroke, resulted in an increase in displacement to 1.57 litres.
Due to the long-stroke motor, compared to the 2103 engine, it added 12% of torque, becoming noticeably more high-torque at low revs. At the same time, the designers made the transmission of the "six" much more "high-speed", reducing the gear ratios of some gears and the main pair. As a result, with an estimated engine power of 80 hp. Zhiguli of the sixth model crossed the one and a half hundred speed limit, accelerating to 154 km / h.
The 2106 engine was objectively the pinnacle of the Soviet small-capacity automobile industry, because later models of the "classic" used engines of smaller displacement and developed power, and the front-wheel drive "one and a half" gave out only 70 "horses".
Of course, over time, the "seven" had a modification with an engine from the VAZ-2106, which received the designation 21074, and in the Niva, already in the post-Soviet period, the working volume was increased to 1700 "cubes".
DURING THE TIMES OF THE USSR, THE "SIX" IN THE REAR-DRIVE LINE WAS REALLY THE MOST POWERFUL SOVIET CAR WITH THE ENGINE OF THE MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENT.
In fairness, we note that the "clean sixes" were released by no means the vast majority. The most massive was the modification 21061 with a one and a half liter engine 2103, and in the late eighties, under the hood, you could most often find the weakest possible engine, that is, 1,300 cc unit 21011, which was installed in the body of the sixth model until 1994.
Comfort
The six was close in terms of noise isolation and smoothness to its "progenitor" of the third model. And after the “three-ruble note” was discontinued in 1985, it turned out that the “six” is the quietest, softest and smoothest. In addition, the new models (2105 and 2105) were still inferior to the “six” in terms of the quality of interior decoration, because the experience of operating the “fives” and “sevens” showed that their interiors with molded plastic parts are much noisier than the latter.
Salon VAZ-2106 - it does not happen softer. In subsequent models, hard plastic became noticeably larger.
Salon VAZ-2106 - it does not happen softer. In subsequent models, hard plastic became noticeably larger.
And after 10-15 years, when the interiors of all Zhiguli became equally outdated, the interior of the sixth model began to look "classically-noble". What is worth only one instrument cluster, which consisted of five separate round instruments! And the arrow "watch" in the center of the "torpedo" in the late nineties was already perceived quite "jaguar-like".
Alas, FROM THE LUXURY OF THE OLD TIMES TO THE END OF THE CONVEYOR LIFE OF THIS MODEL, NOT EVERYTHING HAS REACHED.
Gradually, plastic replaced the wood-like film, velor gave way to much more prosaic textiles, instead of chrome outside and inside, black plastic began to be increasingly used, and the color scheme of the interior noticeably “grayed”, having lost the bright colors of previous years.
On export "sixes" there was a PTF under the rear bumper
On export "sixes" there was a PTF under the rear bumper
On the other hand, in cars of later releases such important “little things” as electric heating of the rear window and a rear fog lamp appeared.
VAZ-2106 LOOKED NOT A POOR RELATIVE AND AGAINST FRONT-DRIVE CARS, BECAUSE IT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY SPACIOUS AND QUIETER than "CHISEL".
And not everyone needed the excellent stability and controllability characteristic of the Sputniks. That is why Soviet motorists, especially the older generation, if possible, chose by no means the most modern VAZ equipment, preferring the time-tested and such a comfortable "six".
A “blanket” of sound insulation under the hood is an invariable feature of luxury Zhiguli
A “blanket” of sound insulation under the hood is an invariable feature of luxury Zhiguli
Image
At the time of the appearance of the VAZ-2106, it was the top of the Togliatti model range both in terms of positioning by the manufacturer and in terms of equipment. It is not surprising that this immediately affected the price of the car - in order to become the owner of the "best Zhiguli", at that time it was necessary to pay 9,100 rubles. At the same time, the Niva, with all its complex transmission and impressive off-road potential, was even 100 rubles cheaper!
For almost ten years, the third and sixth models were produced in parallel, and later they were joined by the "five" and "seven". Even despite the "Mercedes" front end and more modern design solutions, the new Zhiguli models failed to dislodge the "six" from the imaginary pedestal, which until the early nineties was considered the most prestigious VAZ model.
Only the release of a four-door sedan on the platform of Samara somewhat weakened the positions of 2106, but the final blow to the image was dealt by the "ten" - a car that was structurally more modern than the VAZ-2106 by not one, but two generations. A sixteen-valve engine, glued windows, a “slick” body - against the backdrop of “ten” innovations, the “six” already looked like an obvious alien from the past.
DEFINITELY, IN THE NINETEES, the VAZ-2106 LOST A HIGHER SHARE OF LUXURY AND GLOSS, TYPICAL TO CARS OF THE MOST FIRST YEARS OF PRODUCTION.
However, at the beginning of the 2000s, “grandmother was prettier” - at the new factories, the VAZ-2106 was painted in metallic color, equipped with an injection engine and more comfortable front seats ... Alas, at the same time, the car completely lost those trim elements that, in fact, distinguished this model from more "budget" VAZs. And at the beginning of the troubled nineties, which now I don’t really want to remember, the “six” was produced without chrome moldings on the body at all! True, a couple of years later at the VAZ they nevertheless came to their senses, and the chrome was returned to its place.
It's funny, but at a certain time, the same car in the eyes of potential buyers had a completely different image: if young motorists saw it only as an outdated and degraded "classic", then representatives of the older generation looked at it as "that very magnificent six" - the most expensive, dynamic and high-quality finished car of the Volga Automobile Plant.
In fairness, we note that for a significant time the sixth model of the VAZ really was such, offering the Soviet consumer maximum comfort and luxury - if, of course, this word is applied to one of the most massive cars on the planet.
RELEASE CHRONOLOGY
1975 - the first VAZ-2106 was produced 1976 - the beginning of mass production 1998 - production was partially transferred to the Roslad plant (Syzran) 2001 - production began at the Anto-Rus plant (Kherson, Ukraine) 2002 - production of a model from Tolyatti transferred to the IzhAvto plant (Izhevsk) 2005 - the production of the model was discontinued
MODIFICATIONS
VAZ-21061 VAZ-2103 engine VAZ-21062 right-hand drive VAZ-2106 (1.6 l) VAZ-21063 VAZ-21011 engine VAZ-21064 right-hand drive VAZ-21061 (1.5 l) VAZ-21065 "improved" version with a "five-speed" "and bumpers 2105 VAZ-21066 right-hand drive VAZ-21063 (1.3 l) VAZ-21067 engine with injection system VAZ-21067-20 VAZ-21068 engine 2108 (aggregate carrier during the Sputnik development period)
SOME MODERNIZATIONS OF THE VAZ-2106 DURING RELEASE DURING THE SOVIET PERIOD
1977 - small changes in the instrument cluster 1980 - Ozone carburetor instead of Weber 1982-1987 - partial abandonment of the chrome trim on the exterior 1986 - rear brakes from model 2105 1987 - gearbox from model 2106 1987 - elimination of reflectors on the rear fender and warning lights in the front doors 1987 - exhaust grilles from 2107 1990 - plastic gutters instead of chrome 1991 - caps 2101 instead of 2106
