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An exquisite and rare surviving Lada 1200L Riva with only 11,442 miles.

EQUIPMENT
Reinforced body, underchassis, transmission and suspension. Profile aluminium bumpers with rubber insert, mudflaps, laminated windscreen, heated rear screen, automatic reversing lights, high intensity rear fog light, halogen headlamps, exterior coachline, wing repeater indicators, reclining front seats with adjustable head restraints, courtesy lights in boot and under-bonnet, interior adjustable door mirror, radio console, passenger parcel shelf, door storage pockets, 20-piece toolkit. Factory options; Nearside door mirror. Dealer accessories; Beaded seat covers.

EXTERIOR
A fascinating rare survivor, this delightful Lada Riva is finished in Ivory White which remains in superb, largely original condition. The bright uniform paintwork gleams and inspection of the bodywork condition reveals the great preserved shape this car is in. There are some small areas of carefully touched-in paintwork throughout in order to preserve the beautiful appearance. The body panels are factory fitment and the original spot welds clearly visible along the sills are a rare surviving feature. The panel gaps are straight and wide, exactly as per factory standard! The profile aluminium bumpers still have unbroken rubber inserts with some light tarnishing to the surface. Registration etched glass remains fitted all-round as do original supplying dealer number plates and the badges to each rear quarter and boot lid proudly denote this as a higher spec 1200L model! The original Lada Viking longship badge to the grille reminds all of the makers proud motoring heritage. A miraculous example preserved with just 11,422 verified miles.

INTERIOR
This very low mileage Lada Riva interior remains the sturdy utilitarian and purposeful space it was always intended to be. The original black PVC seat coverings underneath the luxury wooden beaded seat covers are in incredible condition with no wear, rips or tears. The seats retain correct shape and the black vinyl door cards are immaculate and complete with fixing screws haphazardly distributed, just as it left the factory! The carpets exude durability over opulence and the hard-wearing pile is free from damage, as is the perfect clean headlining. All gauges and controls operate and have a sturdy if not luxurious feel! The huge boot area houses the original 20-piece toolkit fully complete including inspection lamp and tools stamped ‘made in USSR’! Perfect retro family motoring for those who dare to be different!

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The four-cylinder 1198cc OHV engine is factory fitment and famed for its toughness and ability to cope with the harshness of its USSR origins. Developing 62bhp at 5600rpm, the sales brochure quotes peak speed at 90mph. The engine compartment is clean and complete with the build plates, VAZ VIN plate and bulkhead chassis stamp. Even the factory fitted under bonnet insulation is intact and fragile airbox sticker. The 4-speed manual gearbox operates perfectly and feels agricultural strong!

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
This exceptional example has factory fitted 13” steel wheels in excellent condition with perfect Lada centre caps. Five matching brand 165/80 R13 tyres retain masses of tread and the spare has never been used. The standard braking system incorporating front discs has been overhauled so operates well.

HISTORY FILE
Supplied new by Lada Man Dealer, Cants Lane Garage in Burgess Hill, this example was purchased new by Mrs Grisdale and registered on the 30th November 1984. Almost as remarkable as the condition is the fact that this Lada Riva has remained in the UK when most examples left UK roads either via the scrapyard or having been re-exported to Russia in the 1990’s in order to satisfy a severe shortage of used examples in the homeland. There was also a desire in Russia for a UK specification car which was seen as superior to that of the home market. Mrs Grisdale owned the car until 2000 and despite covering very minimal mileage throughout her ownership, the car was meticulously serviced and maintained every year, as evidenced in the large and comprehensive history file. The same independent garage was used for many years until Mrs Grisdale became dissatisfied with its new owner’s service after car was returned to her with a puncture. Not afraid of speaking her mind, there are letters of complaint in the history file whereby several pages of dissatisfaction were laid out and the garage was given a severe dressing down by the formidable Mrs Grisdale! Notwithstanding any animosity toward the garage, this Lada was very well cared for with many invoices illustrating several visits each and every year for servicing, maintenance and MOT testing as well as the original service book holding stamped entries. Mrs Grisdale also kept detailed notes about the car extending to its luggage carrying capabilities and what monthly, quarterly and annual checks should be carried out! In 2019 and following the passing of the original owner, the family were handling the estate and found keys and an address for a rented lock up garage. Upon attending the garage, and much to their surprise as they were unaware that she owned a car, this Lada was discovered! A subsequent sale to the second owner saw the car taken to a renowned Lada ‘guru’ whereby a thorough process of full recommissioning took place using wherever possible, genuine NOS Lada parts. The recommissioning is documented in great detail and enables the car to be used today as a fully functioning example wanting for nothing and ready to enjoy. After it was put back on the road the car has covered over 4,000 miles of trouble-free motoring and has recently been serviced again in January 2023. Two sets of keys, an original 1984 Lada range brochure and a Lada Riva cushion complete the history file.

The car looks and performs just as it should and never fails to put a smile on your face whenever you drive it, and the attention it attracts is simply wonderful!

MOT July 2023, HPI Clear.

Genre

Original