Ex-Works Rally LadaNiva
NEW big pics uploaded to: (see below)
This was a genuine works Hill Rally Niva, built at a cost of £40K+ to compete in the British Off Road Championship with full support from Lada UK. Apparently, it did very well. Two were built to this specification, but the other was written off.
It is an absolutely proper job. All modifications have been carried out professionally to the highest standards, with no expense spared. The amazing rose-jointed suspension makes it highly un-Niva-like to drive on the road, with loads of grip and zero body roll. Off-road it is truly awesome.
It covered just 2700 miles as a competition vehicle, before being retired to the back of a workshop for a few years. Its previous owner got it up-and-running, but never used it. I collected it from Edinburgh and drive it down to Wiltshire, then took in on one green-laning trip to Wales, in which it followed a pimped Land Rover 110 everywhere without breaking into a sweat. Unfortunately, other commitments on my part took over, and it was dry-stored until its MOT ran out (a year and a half ago), and has not been on the road since.
I broke the speedo cable in Edinburgh whilst trying to mend the petrol gage (which still doesn't work either I'm afraid), so although the mileage counter reads 2700, it has actually covered a few more miles than this... no more than an extra 1000.
It would be a perfect vehicle to use for hill rallies, or competition safaris. It has a green 'Safari Seeding' sticker on its dash which states 'This vehicle and its registered driver(s) have been awarded the speed seeding denoted by the colour of this plate. This seeding is valid for all AWDC & RAC MSA British Off Road Championship Safaris'.
I see no reason at all why it shouldn't sail though an MOT.
Much as parting with it pains me, I simply don't have time to give it the use it deserves, and need some funds for other projects. I am a regular contributor to 'Practical Classics' magazine, and have a wide range of vehicles in need of constant nurturing, including, most pressingly, a Tatra 603 money-pit!
Suspension
Raised 2" at front at 3" at rear, and done absolutely properly... none of your home-bodge stuff that messes up camber and handling.
Stiff springs and Bilstein racing shocks all round.
Polybushed all round.
Rose jointed rear link (awesome!), and serious front anti-roll bar.
It corners with zero roll, and eats bumps at speed with amazing grace. Coupled with sharp steering, it's all amazingly confidence-inspiring on the rough stuff.
CV Joints
CV joints are immensely hardcore to deal with the extra height and potential battering... I can't remember what make they are, but it's someone reputable.
Exhaust
A one-piece custom-made Janspeed item - big on letting the engine breathe, but no so big on silencing I'm afraid.
Inside
Roll cage was built to the specification laid down by the motor racing authority in question... not sure who it was.
Only one seat - most antisocial - but it's comfortable and has a proper four-point racing harness.
Horn and windscreen wipers/washer controls on central box so as to be operated by a co-driver (the regular controls work too).
Brakes pipes routed inside, along with cables and washer-fluid pipes.
Battery stowed in rear load area.
Mount for spare tyre.
The suspension towers the protrude into the rear load-bay are were designed to receive a Land Rover Discovery axle and suspension - giving the added bonus of disc brakes.
Engine
A standard Niva 1.6 engine was fitted after the vehicle's retirement from racing - the original £20K unit was bought back by its creators. This is the engine that was originally fitted vehicle when the rally preparation company took delivery of it (brand new, straight from Russia). It has therefore covered less than 1000 miles, and is effectively a new engine!
It runs as it should, and keeps cool.
I fitted a Weber carburettor when the original Russian items started to leak alarmingly. However, I never got around to setting it up properly - with a little tweaking, more power should be available. Starting has been a tad sluggish with the new carb too... again, because it needs setting up.
It seems to have developed an oil-leak from around the crank seal at the front, but only when the engine is running. It is clearly the result of it having stood for a year-and-a-half, and will hopefully clear itself up as the engine is run in.
The engine could really do with some serious tuning to make it match up to the rest of the vehicle's credentials. I always fancied fitting a 2.0 Fiat twin-cam... an easy conversion with brilliant results.
Gearbox
A standard 5-speed item. Diff-lock and low range both work.
It has a seriously short-throw racing shift!
Wheels and Tyres
Standard Niva alloys fitted with brand new 215R 15 Greenway 'Macho' tyres - awesome in mud. Although 215s don't usually fit Nivas (causing wheel-arch scraping), they do fit this Niva! The front-left one has suffered slight scrubbing due to a track-rod end detaching at speed, but it's still almost as-good-as-new.
Paint
Originally raced in Lada red, but was then changed to white.
Sills and wheel-arches are stone-chipped.
Brakes
Standard Niva items, alas. They work as they should.
Rustiness
Having spent most of its life inside, it really is exceptionally good for a Niva. It is starting to bubble in places - notably around the windscreen and the rim of the tailgate, but there is certainly nothing structural, or that will worry and MOT tester.
It's thinkly Waxoyl-plastered underneath. For some reason, it actually looks worse in the under-body pics than it actually is... most of the brown in evidence is mud atop waxoyl, not rust!
Other stuff
The Hella front spot lights work and are extremely bright.
The bull-bar extends below the vehicle, along with a thick aluminium plate, providing serious under-body protection.
Businesslike recovery points front and rear.
Funky rear spoiler.
In Short: This is quite possibly the ultimate Niva. It is tried and tested, and 100% prepared for some really heavy high-speed abuse. It would make a great first rung onto the comp-safari ladder... add a little more power, and it'll climb to the top of that ladder with you.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions - either e-mail or call on 07748 593408. Viewing/test driving the vehicle is warmly welcomed.
I have relisted it at £1000 as it really is worth this (tyres and rollcage alone!), and it owes me significantly more. Please do come and see it... pictures don't do its condition justice!