Happy 40th, Lada Niva!

11 April, 2017

The indestructible Lada Niva first rolled off the production line 40 years ago — on April 5, 1977, to be exact — and was described by its designers as a “Renault 5 put on a Land Rover chassis.”.

A team of VAZ designers under Vladimir Solovyev began development in 1971, aiming to create a “civilized” four-wheel drive vehicle. Much of its mechanicals are carried over from the earlier Fiat 124-based Lada models, though the body, four-wheel drive system, and front suspension were designed by VAZ — the basic model was in production until 1994.

Happy birthday, Niva!

Taipan – surpassing interest

7 December, 2023

“It’s merely a passing interest,” insists Selby — despite owning three variants of the classic VW Beetle, including an unusual VW van that was sold as a body kit for a Subaru. In his defence he points to a 1961 Ford Thunderbird, a car that he converted to right-hand drive. However, on the VW side of the ledger, since he opened Allison Autos in Whanganui 27 years ago, Selby has built 15 VW-powered Formula First cars, followed by a beach buggy, restored a derelict Karmann Ghia, and hot-rodded a common or garden Beetle into something that has to be seen to be believed. As speed is not something generally associated with classic VWs, though, Selby is still waiting for this particular modification to catch on amongst the hot rod faithful.

Travelling companion

16 November, 2023

It’s easy to see why the Morris Minor Traveller was one of the best-loved variants of the Morris Minor. Introduced in 1953, it was equipped with the same independent torsion bar front suspension, drum brakes, and rack and pinion steering as its saloon sibling but, with their foldable rear seat increasing versatility, many Travellers were used as trade vehicles, says Derek Goddard. Derek and Gail Goddard, the owners of this superbly restored example, have run Morris Minors since before they were married in 1974.
“Our honeymoon vehicle was a blue Morris Minor van — it was a rust bucket,” says Derek.

Happy 40th, Lada Niva!

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