This is my 1982 Lada Niva (Лада Нива / ВАЗ-2121) and it's pretty weird.

From headlight wipers to its three gear levers, this Soviet off-road vehicle is the definition of quirky, so in this video I give a little back story on the car, its features, and what I plan to do with it.
I bought this car in Seattle, Washington back in November, 2020 and then drove it 6000 km home to Florida. It was an incredible adventure and I had a lot of joys and sorrows along the way. I made a video of my experiences, so if you're interested, click here:
• I just bought an old R...
As explained in this and earlier videos, I plan on converting my Lada Niva to run on batteries, but in a sensible way. That means I'll be keeping all the gas-burning components safely stored away, in case I decide to revert it back to petrol in the future. It's probably unlike that would happen, but I'm going to make sure the electric car conversion doesn't damage the vehicle frame and doesn't drill too many holes in the car.
Unlike every other KZbinr out there, I make no money these videos. I don't have paid promotions, no monetisation, and there's there's no "shout-out to my sponsor" nonsense. I make these videos for fun and for free, so if you want to throw me a dollar for my electric car plans, you can, but don't feel obligated or pressured. Here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/kiwievproj...
In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy driving this car around town and up the beach until I can raise enough money to upgrade its propulsion system to something a little more 21st century. So, stay tuned.

[@mardamek]

Yeah, as some people have mentioned, that document you're holding at about 9:58 mark is actually a telegram from the mother, telling the son that dad has died and the burial is on July 25th. It's sad and weird at the same time - finding a document like that; but then that's what makes classic cars like this even more desired because they're not just something mechanical, they're also a part of the history.

[@user-ts3tp7wu1c]

Every Russian will tell you, tath there is no better "iron" for your car then the "iron" from the factory. Repairing of the original door was the best solution.

[@goclunker]

Or…order the door for the correct model year…since that’s an urban door

[@pscpsc8645]

@@goclunker not sure is it any way to get original door for 82 model year even here in russia

[@user-ts3tp7wu1c]

@@goclunker The factory now making doors only for a new Niva (urban), everything else is cooperative crafts - curves, oblique and bad metal.

[@PartMiniBus]

You can put a 0.8 bar turbo on it and it'll beat anything off-roading. Just look up Flying Niva - Летающая Нива.

[@user-is6dq2ug1c]

No problem

[@yanikkunitsin1466]

First aid kit: tourniquet, bandaid, cotton for wound dressing, irrigation bulb(cleaning wounds, removing liquids from airways), boric acid powder(antiseptic), manual that doesn't correspond to the content of the kit, boric acid again but now in alcohol solution, Validol/Menthyl isovalerate (for acute heart pain, palpitations), Potassium permanganate (for preparing antiseptic solution), Ammonia (for unconscious and according to manual for sobering up when 5-10 drops dissolved in ~ 1fl.oz of water)

[@YwhMusic]

Wtf is 1 fl.oz water

[@yanikkunitsin1466]

@@YwhMusic 30 ml

[@YwhMusic]

@@yanikkunitsin1466 ++

[@SLAYER-nm5zw]

Thank you, very fascinating stuff

[@Trevorfoggia]

Love the Niva, when I was 17 I purchased a Lada saloon with the round headlights and drove it every day with out a breakdown. People would take the piss something chronic but one night driving out of an airport car park I pulled over to get my ticket out and when I looked up, horror of horrors, I saw an Opal Manta reversing at a fair pass towards the front of my car - all I could do was flash the headlights and blast the hooter. After a mega impact I got out really pissed off and ready to kick the bloke in the nuts but looked at my damage - a very slightly bent over rider on the bumper and a cracked indicator lens. His car on the other hand was a write off. The entire rear end was fibreglass and had been obliterated. The bloke who hit me gave me £75 to cover my costs and I drove away into the night with a big grin on my face. I would so like to buy the latest model of this shaped Niva. Greetings from Cumbria in the U.K. stay safe and well.

[@dipl100qwer6]

"как вы яхту назовете, так она и поплывет" капитан Врунгель

[@t-rex4137]

Что-бы это, блять, могло значить, учитывая номера?

[@dipl100qwer6]

@@t-rex4137 а мы не знааааем)

[@Andrey_142]

@@t-rex4137 на 4:50 он признаётся что не знает что такое 82 :)

[@user-ub8dc3rb4e]

@@Andrey_142 Он признаётся, что узнал об этом слишком поздно

[@nathanliberman]

Кажется, что есть ещё большой потенциал для познания разных надписей кириллицей

[@romant1127]

Your new door doesn't fit because it's for LADA Urban. It's the most recent modification of Niva which is several restylings ahead of your 1982 model.

[@r2daw158]

It's not for Urban, it's for "Taiga" (21213)

[@mikescudder4621]

Yeah, essentially the same car but over the years there are changes - just like with any other car being manufactured long term, like the vw Beetle for example. You can't just buy any vw beetle door and expect it to fit!

[@raybob49]

and some, but not all, Russian parts suppliers have no idea of packaging. I have personal experience. I also have a pair of new doors that would suit this guys car. But that is useless info.

[@redcanoe14]

My dream car! Sadly they are not available in Canada anymore. Simple vehicle, not full of techno crap which goes out of date every year. I just had a transmission issue checked out on my wife's Mercedes Benz GLK 350. The dealership said it would probably cost $20K to get it fixed. Stay with the lovely Lada Niva and have plenty of cash for a drink in your local every night!

[@AHATOJIU4]

Раритетный авто! НИВА первый в мире внедорожник с несущим кузовом! Хозяину респект!

[@robertm5895]

Нива легковой автомобиль повышенной проходимости.

[@MakNebary]

That’s so sad man. The one on 10:02 says “Dad has died. Funeral is in Jul 25th” 😞

[@SneakySquirrell]

So to say it's a teletype message sent by mother. I remember in old 90s they were same as in video, have no idea how do they look now, probably not so vintage already

[@MaltAndPepper]

That makes me sad ...

[@konradkarlovich5801]

text can be automatically translated using the Google Translate application by hovering over the desired text with the camera phone

[@MakNebary]

@@konradkarlovich5801 true

[@user-jw9bs6cr2c]

yes , so sad.. That teletype. .. Urgent. Kiev. address.. To Skripchenko Alexandr. Father died, funeral 25 July. Mam. Other documents it's technical inspection for every year you need in USSR..

[@andreiandreivich876]

The cards with dates are technical inspection cards. The second document is a receipt of who buyed and for how much... it's writen 20 roubels, it's for someone named Skripchenko Alexandr Mikhalko, adress: Kiev-183 B. Perova. Dneiroski departement. the 29 april 1984. The third one is a mail with his adress and name of the guy... and it says that his father died funeral the 25 july=mama- idk what that means... just after that one it says that the car was repainted in yelow but i see the word consignement which is interesting... the one after I couldn't read, the KAPTA is a test for the emissions of the car, that was tested in Kiev in 1983. the document in the aid kit says how to use it. Nice videos! I love it! very interesting project, I can't wait what u will do with it))) but the history of this car is very interesting too.

[@yanikkunitsin1466]

It's a receipt for a transport tax (Транспортный сбор) not a car and it's real-life telegram (telegraph message) not mail, from village Kobyzcha in Bobrovitsy Raion of Chernihiv oblast. Recipient's mom informing about the death of his father and probably suggesting him to travel to the funeral, which he probably did in his brand new Niva and left it for good as a present of bad omens. Grim indeed.

[@Monkey_my_luv]

@@yanikkunitsin1466 ouch even this story is so sadge 😭😭

[@MOCKBA81]

Даже через экран я почуствовал запах этой старой советской аптечки! Ностальгия!!!

[@rrus73]

А ведь она продумана.

[@alexlotion5055]

Dude. Those are some great cars you’ve owned. I must say. As a Russian who lived near the coast of a Japanese sea all my life, I have an appreciation for those old Toyotas, Mazdas, Nissans and even a Suzuki. Man… I couldn’t care less for that ВАЗ 2121 you’re in, but Toyota Estima… boy… It’s the most beautiful and visually pleasing car ever made! Regardless the year it left the factory.

[@user-sk1xy2rg7w]

Suzuki swift - it called the Niva`s replica. Among the 25 listed cars this Lada Niva will be the best for six hundreds

[@bldontmatter5319]

The car you listed looks like a giant jellybean. No style. Just function. The lada is way cooler bro quit the cope

[@user-wq5fz5pp2h]

These cars are so abundant here in Russia that you can do whatever you like with them and no one will say a word of negativity. Sooo if russians would not be upset about conversion to electric (but quite opposite) why the hell anybody else should?

[@raybenedicta.eligado1198]

exactly!

[@ae5655]

So wrong

[@windshield11]

Tesla swap? 4x4 confirmed?

[@jamesmallard8815]

Sell me one

[@user-wq5fz5pp2h]

@@jamesmallard8815 you can find a decent one as low as 1k$ here. But import fees to your country is another ordeal

[@schetd]

By the way, in 2020, Russian AVTOVAZ factory has released more modern Niva - they call it Lada Niva Legend. This new car visually looks like an old classic one but internally it changed significantly. It has ABS braking module, it has air-conditioner, of course it doesn't have old style fuel injection carburetor (instead it has BOSCH-car computer), it has electronic accelerator pedal, it has hydraulic power steering. The engine, gear box and transfer case for full drive are the same as in classic USSR ones, but both gear boxes are mounted differently, more convenient for repair. The new 2020/2021 car cost about 8-10k of USD. Anyway I am happy that you enjoy this Soviet-classic, it is worth to say that in Ukraine and Russia, such 30 year old babies are still on duty doing their hard work in villages and taiga forests!

[@vaidotassakalauskas3681]

Well, Avtovaz is not russian. It belongs to french company.

[@AlekseyVitebskiy]

@@vaidotassakalauskas3681 Sure, but they still make Russian cars in Russia. Daimler owns Chrysler, but you won't mistake a Dodge for a Mercedes Benz.

[@vaidotassakalauskas3681]

@@AlekseyVitebskiy And yet, french company gets billions of donations from russian government(taxpayers money) every year. But who cares, not me realy :D

[@AlekseyVitebskiy]

@@vaidotassakalauskas3681 That may be. I'm just saying that this fact of ownership most likely has no influence on the design of Lada Niva.

[@AlekseyVitebskiy]

@@vaidotassakalauskas3681 Actually, your point does hold some weight, but in a positive way. Looks like a lot of interior things like switch gear, climate controls, etc in the newest Lada Niva are now from Reno/Dacia. That's a positive thing though, the old Soviet switches that Niva had before weren't exactly great.

[@LeeBv9983]

In 2008-2009 I was working on a contract in Uruguay and spending a couple months there at a time. I wanted a car so I could get out and see more outside Montevideo. Saw a Niva in the parking lot of the building I was working from with a For Sale sign! It was a 1979. The speedo cable broke years before so no Idea as to mileage, but it started and ran and didn't seem to leak anything. Gave the guy $1200 for it. It was dented and dinged, it was 3-4 different colors besides the primer. The passenger door leaked in the rain. But it ran. Great little car that took me all over Uruguay, and often got me back. Could be fixed anywhere and there were a couple places that specialized in them. Sold it for $1000 when I left.

[@jologhlen]

This is gold - bought a second hand red version in NZL as first car when in high school and got license plates THEKGB. It towed a 4.4m Haines Hunter on a trailer up a very steep driveway in low ratio NO problem and all fjorded multiple rivers and creeks up to door handle depth and multiple beach tows with trailer. Amazingly easy to fix, started cold with crank handle and miss it dearly!

[@bobwgower]

Im a kiwi living in Europe and own a Lada (VAZ) 2101. Nice to see another Kiwi who appreciates a good Lada!

[@edwardvalivonis23]

God bless

[@ToskaForsite]

Kiwi = NZ?

[@edwardvalivonis23]

@@ToskaForsite yes

[@bobwgower]

@@ToskaForsite A Kiwi is a flightless bird with a long beak and big feet. Its only found in New Zealand Aotearoa, and people from New Zealand are commonly referred to as Kiwis. The bird is a national icon for the country.

[@goclunker]

Sorry about the accident. Sucks when life takes a dump on ya

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Had one of these, in NZ, back in the late 80's. Pretty quirky for sure but dreadfully under powered. I had a down draft Weber carb fitted to it not long after I purchased it and it improved the power output significantly. Went all over the place in it from Invercargill to Auckland. Fun times.

[@simantov4UUU]

bought it in 1884 in east germany. been with it all over europe with no problems. stil drive the same 1984 lada today(2023) today. and it runs+runs+runs+runs.

[@Sc0rchingHeat]

So glad they managed to fix the door, can't imagine how tough emotionally that crash was, especially on a car show day. Niva we used to have in our family was dark green color and we called it "Grasshopper". Given the color and electricity conversion you can call yours "Lightning bolt". Best of luck with your project!

[@SPQRCenturion1976]

Hey Kiwi dude, greetings from North Carolina. I was born and raised in former Yugoslavia and Lada Niva was a common car on our streets. A neighbor of mine had one, and absolutely loved it. He used to say that Niva was reliable, dependable and so easy to repair, that all the tools one needed to work on it were stored in the trunk, in that small tool kit, and he said Russians did not put a hammer (the only additional tool one needed for that car). If the brand new Nivas were selling in the states, I would most certainly buy one, period. Sorry about the accident. I hope the conversion goes well and wish you good luck driving it. Take care.

[@RiderOftheNorth1968]

I had one ( a -82, i believe) and i managed to crank start it in -27 degrees Celsius when i had left the headlights on for a full day and the battery was dead. This was in february in the north of Sweden. The car was slow, noisy and uncomfortable but, damn, i could trust my life to it, it was so reliable!!

[@Kaynert]

This one is absolutely awesome in condition😍. Congrats to this. A 1600 like this is my absolutely dream car. It is extremely hard to find such an old niva in this condition.

[@attilahavasi6987]

Hy, The engine itself is pretty durable, and rarely fails, however the carb, ignition, alternator could give bad times thats for sure :D I live in hungary and have done some performance lada engines, I strongly suggest you to change the oil pump gear beneath the ignition tower. Thats a weak point of the engine, if that wears out, you will loose all oil pressure, and toast the bearings. I Like your content and your lada keep it up :)

[@Jozavenue]

He is making it in to a 100% ev not hibrid.

[@dkhayitov]

Исходный текст Pro engine carburetor agree with you. My first car was a Lada 2107 with a carburetor. There were no problems with the engine at all, but the carburetor really did not like bad gasoline.

[@lexluthor6497]

20l/100km gasoline but a great 4x4.

[@mardamek]

The first thing in the emergency kit (the flat stuff in plastic) is basically like breathable medical duct tape. I'm making up new phrases to explain it, since I forgot what it's called here in The States. It's that strong tape for wounds that has some flexibility. It is, indeed, the medical analog to duct tape (leikoplast). The bottle that you said is "probably best not to drink" is basically a solution of boric acid (if I can read correctly it's 3%, or maybe 8%). The first vial (the metallic one, that also had Latin letters on it) is validol tablets (used for motion sickness or heart problems, mostly). The second vial is Kalium permanganate, or bettern known in the western world as potassium permanganate. It is used to treat wounds, it's antiseptic, basically. You drop a little bit of it into some water and mix it up, then dip the wounded part inside the solution. Sort of like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, but I guess this is more effective (I'm no doctor, just know this from what I've seen). The last box with the unused vials is ammonium solution. Don't know what it is, but in the parenthesis under it it says "nashatirniy spirt", which tells me it's probably used to bring back people who have passed out. It's that thing with the nasty smell that brings knocked out people "back to life". I hope this helps ...

[@Chamieiniibet]

You're talking about an adhesive bandage aka medical plaster aka band-aid, right? That's exactly what he called 'em.

[@mardamek]

@@Chamieiniibet yes, I think that's it. Thanks for clarifying.

[@iliavr]

Nashatir spirit is like old 'smelling salts' for unfainting people

[@Validole]

@@Chamieiniibet Modern band-aids usually have a non-stick soft pad. Leukoplast is basically a tearable cloth tape without a pad, you would have to form a pad from gauze (also included) and use leukoplast to hold it. Of course, it's also good to simply hold together a deeper cut, where a pad would let the cut spread under the gauze, but it's not deep enough to need sutures. Nowadays superglue is sometimes used for that last purpose.

[@Chamieiniibet]

@@Validole Band-Aid branded tape rolls are also still sold ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@TankVrunishka]

Thanks for the love for Niva, man! The way you look at her and how you treat her is the true love that the "old lady" deserves

[@TheTech9]

I always find it incredible the things included with these cars. Incredible!

[@redcarpet2544]

9:57 very sad letter (telegram). There write "Father has died. Funeral at 25 Jul. Mother." It's so sad to see that and realized that person keep it in his car((( All another documents are mostly technical inspection tickets.

[@ALINUED]

I live in Hungary, we still have it and I daily driving it. this things are amazing. if it gets broke, just give your 30 min and fix it, good to go :D

[@headwerkn]

Lovely repair work by the panel shop, and props to them for straightening up the fuel filler door too! Will make for an excellent EV conversion. Crazy to see Nivas going over $10K here in Australia (they cost less when new in the 1990s!) in far worse condition than yours.

[@oxfamshop]

When I was a youngster in the 1960s 70s a hand crank handle saved many people from being stranded when other people's cars would not start

[@Starfishintherockpool]

I also own a yellow Niva! Bought it in Greece a few years ago, while we were living there, and fully restored it. We then drove it across Europe to the UK where we now live. She gets soooo much attention here, it's wonderful how much joy she gives 🌞 Love following your adventures and can't wait to see the conversion, as one day mine will most likely go the same way 💪

[@cat-compote3422]

funny that one of the documents, that you've showed from the visor, literally is funerals invite

[@Po6om_Bepmep]

10:00 Yes. Very sad telegram =(

[@Mandrak789]

yeah that was kind of bizzare

[@iliavr]

Yes, that 'dot matrix printer' docunent was a telegram, a funeral invite for 'dad', looks like the car has ghosts?

[@mraaaaaaa]

It says "Dad died, funeral is on 25th of July. - Mom"

[@gatomatias1]

What?

[@amyleyack8926]

Freaking fantastic, Gavin! Love watching videos about the Lada Niva. Well produced!

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Thank you very much. I appreciate your kind words a lot.

[@VAMPGC]

Неделю назад также попал в аварию, так что момент со столкновением прям зацепил. Благо чувак смог восстановить все :) Прямой дороги в будущем!

[@TheKrololo]

Cards with the years are the documents saying car has passed official inspection in some year

[@1jozy1111]

This is (10:02) the telegram which says "Urgent Kiev 183 blvd Perova house 48 apt 79 to Skripchenko Alexander: Father is dead funeral 25th july-mother".

[@jlebrech]

Aww

[@ursa_margo]

About the medkit: the flat bandage is sterile and anti-bacterial, while the round one is "dirty" and should not be applied to open wounds without an antiseptic. The ammonia solution in the seal vials is used to recover people who have passed out: you're supposed to make them inhale it. The Validol pills could be used as a sedative, for increased heart rate and as anti-nausea. The black powder is potassium permanganate, a powerful antiseptic that should be mixed with water and then could be used to clean wounds. A very mild (barely pink) solution could be drank to induce vomiting - useful for poisoning. The boric acid in both dry powder and solution is another antiseptic. The rubber band is a tourniquet used to stop bleeding.

[@ivanpchelin7912]

It is absolutely wonderful story. So happy to get it in the recommendations. Liked your politeness regarding the engine soooo much.

[@carstenweiland7896]

Back in the days when the Niva interior looked basic but nice.

[@aleksanderkac7530]

The "charcoal" in first aid kit is potassium permanganate, KMnO4. In a water solution it's a disinfectant. The repair looks mighty fine, BTW. The replacement door might be for the new-er model without the triangular little window, I think that was with the changeover to the 1.7 litre EFI engine. As for the tires, there are economic rim options, apparently the measurements of the bolt pattern are not that exotic. Then you can get modern tires, those on the car are most likely hard as a stone by today, and so not very safe. On the 82 there are 1 original and about 5 replacement rim sizes that fit, with a variety of normal tire sizes to match. At work we still have a 93, which has the same basic dimensions than yours. We changed the rims to 5.5 (instead of 5.0) inch wide rims and always had 195/70r16 tires. These ride very good. The same size we have put on a 98 Niva we also have. The 195/70r16 might be a bit easier to get, but not sure for the USA. In Europe you can order from Pirelli, Hankook, Continental, and others. But these are street/snow tires, which, to be honest, ride much quieter than those terrains you have now.

[@oldfartjohnson6354]

Loved my Niva,I understand the feelings.It was a slow car but it got you any place you wanted.I had a mixed yard,a Pontiac and this and my Finnish neighbors thought I was nuts.We had an early snow storm and guess which car got out of the yard,canoe and all.I loved it.

[@usernaame316]

this is awesome man! making it electric is an ambitious project and i can't wait to see how it goes. i was so happy to watch you drive it again and see your love and passion for this car. i wish you well on this electric journey!!

[@cjhawk67]

When you do the electric conversion you gotta make sure to keep it 4x4. Seen people do EV conversions on some older AWD cars and get rid of 4x4 part of it and I think that Lada with a electric motor would be a ton of fun to scoot around in the woods at a offroad park.

[@ecchioni]

The new door came from the "restyled" more modern car, so no wonder it doesn't fit.

[@ursa_margo]

That body shop has done some stellar job there! I think they realized how rare that car was and really went out of their way to fix it.

[@pkskyter]

Nice video :-) Only correction, the diff lock only locks the front and rear axle together. The Niva is a full time 4x4 so there is a center diff between the front and rear axle. The diff lock operates on that diff and effectively puts the car into the same configurations as a part time 4x4 when put into 4x4 mode.

[@getberget]

You can order the tyres from sweden of you want, we got them here

[@turboponies]

It is a nightmare to import tires as spares to the US as they have to be US DOT approved and registered or it’s not happening. Anything related to vehicle safety equipment is treated the same regardless of OE status.

[@inkognitou6982]

@@turboponies Make sense to change the rims for more common tire size..

[@turboponies]

@@inkognitou6982 indeed. But the factory steelies are a statement

[@TheKrololo]

Ok, you probably didn't hear about "UAZ Buhanka", it's being produced since 1960s and still in production

[@patrickmartin3322]

That’s not really a off roader it’s just a 4x4 van

[@user-wc6vb3fn1s]

@@patrickmartin3322 Oh, boy. Just search "буханка off road" on KZbin

[@nikitaivanov1536]

@@patrickmartin3322 you can`t be more wrong about that))

[@noelmintern8969]

Great video,..your conversion makes sense given how you drive mostly locally.Keep all of us posted.

[@NikoLay1394]

KIWI, thank you for the wonderful video! Niva is a part of our history, a bright memory of a country that no longer exists. I wish you a speedy and high-quality repair! I think, in your case, you do not need to change the door, good work with iron and painting is enough. The quality of the iron of your door is much better than modern ones. With sincere greetings from Moscow!

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Spasiba. :)

[@krab9479]

Found your channel a couple days ago via your roadtrip across the USA video. You’re a naturally talented host and I really see your channel blowing up soon. Can’t wait to see what you do in the future, especially with the Niva!

[@mylonov]

The plates are... interesting

[@matveikuzin9615]

I wasn close with my Dad, cos my parents divorced when was a kid, so i have only a few good memories with him together. One of them is me and my father drove his white Niva through russian forest while Creedance Cleerwater Rivival tape playing "Have you ever seen the rain". Damn, im crying.

[@xenaretos]

An electric Niva. Now that's wild and way more interesting than a stock one.

[@ar43r]

we had the same car back in the day in the old country. it was red - so at least 10 km/h quicker :)

[@JazzIs4urSoul]

I think the electric swap is cool. personally I’d try to get some sort of turbo diesel in it, and some wider tires and wider fender flares

[@oldpolak5203]

I had a red 1992 Lada Niva . It was gutless to say the least . I loved it . 🇨🇦

[@rams4d]

They sold a lot in Panama in the 80s. I was still a child, but in 1998 I got one, the 1600 model and in 2002 I had the 1700 model. In addition to its rustic but elegant style, it is a marvel on the ground field. My sons had the opportunity to ride again and again while they were children. Unfortunately, by 2010 the original parts were scarce, and Chinese imitations and from other countries that did not have the same quality were obtained more. I had to sell them. But they were unforgettable experiences. I congratulate you friend for having such a beautiful car and I hope it lasts for many years.

[@Zigge]

I've driven an 2121 with that engine for 15 years without loosening a single screw in the engine running on the cheapest lawn mower oil you can get. It has always started even in -21C standing outside. The body will rust away under yer before the engine needs any work at all. It is so solid people are routinely tuning them to 400hp.

[@romant1127]

At 10:00. It's an urgent telegram which says "DAD DIED FUNERAL JULY 25th=MOTHER"...

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Oh my God. I missed the funeral.

[@manichaean1888]

I travelled from in Niva with a local driver in mountains of Georgia some years ago. Almost everybody there drives a Niva since it one of a few not expensive cars that can survive extremely bad roads at very high altitudes.

[@Archintel]

Your videos make me nostalgic for mine which was a '94. Happy motoring and I can't wait to see the conversion!

[@alexshepherd1741]

It's so touching, I understand your feelings perfectly. I'm glad you rebuilt the car. While I was watching this video, at first I was shocked when that moron scratched your Niva, after which, I was disappointed when I learned that you could not restore it, now I am happy with you. This is the most trade movie I've watched in the last year) Russia is with you, man!

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Thank you so much!

[@hekko161]

Convert Niva to electric? You've just fixed one of the main problems of the car :D

[@puebespuebes8589]

This is heresy

[@repairworld2367]

I had a Lada Niva here in the UK in 1986. It was brand new from a place called Tipton in the Black country. I had to fit a radio so lifted up the rubber matting to lay the cables. I found the soundproofing was ex army blankets cut up. Truth. But I'll tell you, I loved that car and it was probably the best 4x4 I have owned. Now got a Ranger but not as cute.

[@askyalumumba3573]

Growing up in Africa in the 80's , my father owned one of this beast and the sedan called Riva. my mother had the very first Hyundai Pony

[@goridnidch6067]

10:00 - its a telegram, and it says "Father has died, the burrial at 25 july. Mom" I am not joking)

[@nikitaivanov1536]

Although blyad has a lot of meanings, come on, how could a simple blyad word offence someone! On a Niva in States this word means just `oh, crap` Hilarious in my opinion. Big hugs from Moscow!

[@monocharismatic]

could also apply the word to the car itself, but in a good way, say "this блять will drive through anything"

[@Orlington17]

no dude, blyaD means "whore", blyaT means "oh crap"!!!

[@BlueSky-ub4fx]

I saw the Lada Niva nearly every day, when I was a kid, because someone in our apartment complex had one :)

[@VV-nw4cz]

With the door repairs. You've got real Lada experience. That's how they come from a factory. And the plan for electric conversion - that should be epic. Lots of torque, quiet..

[@Zimpaz]

Hi gavin! Hope you are ok? Lots of people around the interwebs are worried about you…please let us know youre ok and if there is anything the car community can do for you xx

[@user-vh6dn2xi4g]

About russian "блядь" plate and "82": everybody understands that it's made for joke so nobody will care about 82 region

[@RuknaGeraltas]

@@boyarin2269 crimea is not a russian region

[@user-rn8mc5vv7z]

@@RuknaGeraltas Its the russian region. A lot of russians live there. 82 plate was also in Samara region.

[@RuknaGeraltas]

@@boyarin2269 its not an opinion, its a fact. crimea is a ukrainian region. and im not talking about politics, im talking about international law. war and occupation are not matters of politics. its because of traitors like you its hard to repel russian aggression.

[@RuknaGeraltas]

@@user-rn8mc5vv7z lots of russians live in nyc, is it a russian city? oh well, what an unexpected reply from a russian.

[@monocharismatic]

@@boyarin2269 Уважаемый Крымчанин, спасибо за ваш коментарий. Господин @Bastūnas скорее всего Литовец, а там всё что связано с СССР для многих является удобной целью поругаться, требовать репараций за окупацию, и т.д. Я знаю потому-что я сам из Прибалтии, что тоже зачастую является неприятным для многих словом так как оно подразумевает причастие балтийских стран к СССР. Я политику тоже не люблю, но трудно на неё иногда закрыть глаза. Например, один из моих родителей родился в одной из балтийских стран. Дед был бедным фермером, но имел землю, которую сам пахал так как не мог себе позволить наёмную помощь. Пришел СССР по пакту Молотова-Рибентропа, и после ВОВ когда нацистов прогнали, землю деда отобрали, а его сослали в лагерь. Теперь эта территория в России, балтийская страна после СССР стала возвращать бывшие владения потомкам, но земля моего деда увы по другую сторону границы. Но я не о личной обиде. А о трагедии многих, например прибалтов загружали в вагоны десятками тысяч среди ночи и отправляли за Урал. Так-что эмоции их понятны. Крым и Украина -- это трагедия которая продолжается в острой фазе развития событий. У меня нет решения. Только сочувствие. Ну построили мост, ну починили/построили какие никакие дороги. Но, Сбербанк не суётся из-за страха санкций, мобильные операторы тоже, российские авиалинии что летают в Европу не летают в Крым по той-же причине, пресной воды нет так как Украина перекрыла канал, ну и т.д и т.п. Что там ВВП и его команда думали в 2014-ом не знаю, но говоря о международных законах даже Беларусь не признала Крым Российским, да и по британскому эсминцу пульнули на 200 метров перед собой когда он уже еле на горизонте был виден, что мне говорит о том что с НАТО Россия за Крым воевать не будет именно из-за международных законов. Ладно, я пытаюсь разобраться в мозгах ВВП, а это под грифом "не лезь, убъёт" (шучу я так) как на электро-щитке. Так-что сил и здоровья вам. Будем надеяться на лучшее, а как оно выглядит я не знаю.

[@bossarm3655]

Not sure if somebody has already mentioned. These colored cards with a year on the front are about vehicle safety. Once per year you had to make a vehicle inspection and if everything is ok, they give you the card and you have to put it on the windshield. Information on the back of the card : Date when the card was issued, Vehicle plates information, Date when you should do the next safety inspection and also vehicle inspector details.

[@EdFudge]

I just moved to Italy from the states and have been researching nivas. I would really like to get one and bring it back. When I first heard you say you were converting to battery, I did cringe a little. But you are one hundred percent right, it's your car and your idea. And what an awesome idea! A battery should do great on it. Best of luck to you and maybe when I get back in a few years with my niva, we can meet up! I used to live in Georgia for a bit, so not far from you. Cheers!

[@loughkb]

I thought I'd heard most Kiwi slang, but "Dick Blossom"? That's a new one. I'd love to see the reactions if you do take it to a car meet. I love unique and simple cars. They're like deluxe gocarts. Of all my past vehicles, my favorite was a 69 super beetle that had been partially converted to a baha. Big knobby tires on the back and stock front end. It also had the semi-automatic transmission. You still had to shift but there was no clutch peddle. When you put your hand on the shifter, it activated an engine vacuum operated clutch and it had a torque converter. So much fun to drive.

[@user-fk6bg2yx9k]

25:29 this car was built and meant to be a tool. you literally get things done with it. "if it has a dent, get a hammer and just straighten it or leave it as it is". there's no point in keeping it in some kind of "from the factory" state. people literally rebuild them in their garages. really looking forward to its conversion to electricity

[@manfredrettinghaus2298]

Hatte mir 1991 genau dieses Model gebraucht besorgt . Bis heute habe ich kein anderes KFZ gehabt das so viel Spaß gemacht hat . Problem damals waren die Kreuzgelenke und habe mir welche aus Japan besorgt . Danach nur noch Fun !

[@gabevoros6435]

It was soo good to see one of my childhoods favourite car, I still like it much. If you decide to upgrade in petrol side, I can suggest to set an Havassi- Hanula Lada engine in. Those two enginiers was hungarian rally champions 30 years ago... Mr. Hanula was the main engineir of company Schrick, they built the motor of the Bugatti Veyron. At Havassi company you can get a highly upgraded lada motor. Or check out the estonian lada VFTS versions. Tons of funs.

[@bittegibeinennamenan5576]

11:53 this document describes how to use all the medicaments etc.

[@robertdizon2801]

"Dickblossoms!" Hahahahaaa, right on, well said, have fun with YOUR car, it's your call and I certainly enjoy your sharing these videos of your ongoing adventures with the Lada. All the best and carry on!

[@nikoblading]

Those ampules are ammonia solution which is a special kind of spirit. If someone is about to faint or already unconscious you should open that ampule by breaking the top and give that person to smell it. The smell is so strong it will bring make dead person jump up and run away. I was given it once in the hospital, the smell is super strong. It’s interesting that it used to be a car medical kit.

[@Kreozot2D]

My father had one, and my uncle still uses one. NIVAs are very light as I know. As far as I remember, there is an old motorcycle Ural which uses cardan shaft to power the rear wheel instead of chain, and this Ural motorcycle is half of NIVA in weight.

[@jakefinnegan1932]

Man, you don't have to justify going electric or explaining your motives. Just do it. It's a rare mod, it's gonna be cool, and it's gonna save you a lot of nerves you would've spent maintaining this thing. Anyone who whines about preserving the original state can go buy their own car and shrink wrap it. Greetings from Russia!

[@stefanguels]

Given the complaints about the engine and the praise of the chassis... Does this qualify the Niva for the usual LS swap ?

[@georgegeorge8960]

i think the design of this car and the simplicity is very good ... with a few modifications to improve the quality of the engine , the gas tank , and a few very minor modifications this would be a great car to own and use everyday ...

[@craigdouglasmartens7037]

As a 4x4 instructor in KZN South Africa, I am a great fan of the unsophisticated 4x4. Love these little buggers!

[@jonamc11]

Hi, I recently bought a '78 Niva thats in pretty rough shape, I'm going to be restoring it and I would like to try and recreate the tool kit, could I have you take some pictures of the tools and pouch with some kind of measurement reference, that would be a huge help :D Not many Niva's left in as great shape as yours! Edit: and if I could have you take a picture of the plate covering the gas tank, as those can't be sourced from Russia any more :/ Edit 2: Great job by the panel repair guys! another thought - would you be interested in selling the toolkit instead? (I understand if you want to keep it for originality) Looking forward to seeing more of this project :D

[@pscpsc8645]

Are you going to keep transmission and transfer case on car after installing electric motor?

[@davoid96]

What have I learned today? The Niva would’ve sold like hot cakes in Florida!

[@Almightyrastus]

I want one of these so much, always have done. Not so easy to find in the UK though as we stopped importing them at one point due to safety restrictions. My dad had a Riva estate for a while that that thing towed our caravan for so many years all over the UK and he still has the VERY extensive toolkit that came in that, very similar tools that you have there, although the Riva toolkit was a lot larger due to having the jack and tyre tools in there as well. Finding a Niva in right hand drive is all but impossible as well. That first drive after the door repair got me grinning almost as much as you.

[@mecojoatumadre]

soviet engineers would probably loved to see someone put the lada on electric energy, not disgusted by changing the gas engine

[@bgbthabun627]

@GotEki, agree with you completely, no one should be offended by such a rational upgrade. However, this Kiwi lives in florida, where there are no shortage of people who would offer an irrational response, to say the least. BTW i love these videos, including the last ev conversion series.

[@PODbot2.5]

In fact, the development of electric vehicles was carried out in the Soviet Union. (Starting from the 50-60s) Including tried to make an electro Lada. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGqslJR8qt2Wn6M For example, the first two samples of this electric car were created in 1976. The Soviet Union wanted to produce a series of such cars for the 1980 Olympics, but in the end they left the assembly line only in 1981. Only 47 units were produced. Most were sent to Ukraine. The car shown in the video has been converted to a regular one.

[@cristiancorcuera]

used google lens on the video, and they are yearly documents of the car, (licence number, registry etc) the white printed paper seems to be a death certificate and the brown ones are CO2 emission papers and stuff like that. :)

[@Shokai899]

actually it is an invitation to funeral. Mother texted her son that dad passed away . gross(

[@cristiancorcuera]

@@Shokai899 uff ok

[@hayritahirov5566]

Hello from Bulgaria! That is interesting. Nice is pretty common view around here. I dont mean that every second or third car is niva but you could often see one or two. I have had ideas to buy one for a project that I have in mind. Your idea to turn it into electric/hybrid car is pretty awesome. Keep posting how it is going! I would love to see how that turns out. By the way that thing with the registration plate is hilarious 😂😂😂

[@huiodravhuiov192]

My dear Kiwi friend, this is an amazing project you've started and its got me hooked so I have been following you as best as I can! I got to let you know that this is not just "any" Niva - this is an early example and all the gauges and parts are from the "old" early stuff! Oil, water, fuel written in words, not signs! Dashboard, the steering wheel - all the good stuff! The Malaise era started in Russia 1980 with the slight change in the carburetor, it was all downhill from there on as everything got plastic, cheap, unified and...trash like. I am 32 and never needed to have a car...so Ive had 4 ladas as hobby and I can say best Lada years are up to 1980, for the Niva maybe it is 1982-3 :) Havent had one! :) . I am not one of the guys to say "Oh, man, that is such a precious car why are you cutting it!?!?!?" but I am one of those to tell you - please be eclectic in your electric drive and keep the vision of it! I have been looking around for a Lada Niva for quite some time now and here in Eastern Europe there are NONE from those early years! It is truly rare! They were driven and used hard, all of those early ones perished. I am looking forward to the conversion, good luck!

[@Nebiros777]

Oh, man! This is a very sad(( You found an old telegram in which the mom writes to her son that his father has died.

[@grant3226]

Google translate with your phone should be a able to translate that, used it on the Leaf when it had a Japanese head unit

[@caduMachado66rj]

congratulations, I liked your channel, I liked your lada niva, I'll still have one, here in Brazil you only find used new ones, the lada was little commercialized here, because it was imported, which made it difficult for us to get parts, more it's still a dream for me, a hug and even another opportunity

[@mfbfreak]

Keeping the original parts is the good way of doing it. Hell, you could make a nice range extender from the original engine, on a little trailer!