Jurjen was looking for space and the LADA 1500 station wagon offered ample seating and storage space. Moreover, the offer was very attractive because of the exceptionally good and original condition of the VAZ 21043 (LADA) from Latvia. There was a time when LADA made a meteoric rise on the Dutch market, certainly because of the attractive price, but also because of the solidity and completeness of the car. For Jurjen, simplicity and solidity were the deciding factor.
Russian tractors
Jurjen's father only works on the farm with Russian-made tractors. He therefore advised to take a look at the LADA offer, taking his son's budget into account. His experience with the low maintenance costs of the solid material was the deciding factor for the purchase of this blue LADA 1500 station wagon.
Striking car
Jurjen: “I saw this model and its popular predecessors a lot during my holidays in the Eastern Bloc countries. Of course, as a daily car, it makes sense, they are practical and handy. With the station wagon you got a family car with 5 seats and 5 doors, and a completely flat floor. I like the square model, it was the first, but also the best purchase for me. Why is driving so much fun in my LADA 1500 station wagon? Lots of reactions along the way, I even meet people who like it even more than I do. Of course, I don't get priority, but my youngtimer is treated with respect in traffic.”
A deviation?
The love and preference for old cars is an abnormality that most people acquire in their youth. That might be the case for Jurjen's father, but not for himself. As a 21-year-old, he has no memories of that time. That is why it is so special that it passes on the history and shows the then designed body of the LADA 1500 station wagon. We continue to admire vehicles from times gone by, for Jurjen owning them is now a wonderful hobby.
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A car that is made to be a car. In other words; bringing people and goods from A to B without frills and 'I'm bigger than the neighbors' allure. Delicious. Those are cars. It can also still be worked on without spending a fortune. I drive a UAZ Bukhanka and know what I'm talking about. Wonderful machines, those Russians. And at every stop, interested parties are guaranteed to spend half an hour. 😍
An uncle of mine drove a Lada. The family had to laugh at that. His defense: that is technology that I at least still understand.
My first car in 1982 was a Lada 1500S (2103)
This cheap second hand was originally white, after I gave it a color to my own taste, I really enjoyed it. Always start immediately and drive without problems, even at -22C in the winter of 1984.
A friend of mine had a Lada 1600GL. Always start that thing. However, the garage had never carefully adjusted the valves, so it did not run so smoothly. And measuring the valve clearance was also virtually impossible with one valve. This was a clever idea and was very neatly adjusted to the correct clearance. That made a world of difference compared to the motorcycle run! We also had to replace the clutch. But that's actually it. A sturdy luxurious car that even included on-board tools and the engine could also be cranked with an included crank. We actually succeeded in cranking it up.