Solved: Lada Niva 4x4 Pick-Up built by LadaCanada

[Arthur Dent]

I spotted this a number of years back - its the only Niva pickup I've ever seen (three door Niva SUVs were fairly common in Canada). A friend of mine remembers talking to the ex-Lada sales exec years back and him mentioning these were built by a coaching building company in our of the ex-Iron curtain countries. Of course that is pretty vague, second hand info. Anyone know anymore than that?

[Paul Jaray]

Hi, there are some pics of the Lada in different versions, but it seems that the one in your pic was hand-made...or hand-chopped!

http://www.linkdeleted.com

[faksta]

VAZ made some pickups based on Niva, but those were longer ones - with longer wheelbase and mid-size cabin (2329, like on the below photo) and single cabin (2328).

[Otto Puzzell]

Anyone know any background this Lada pickup

Yes. It looks to be an urban setting, somewhere in North America.

[Arthur Dent]

Sorry I had forgotten about this picture.

I'd seen the truck again a while back. This time at an old Lada dealership. Apparently its in for some work to be done but may go up for sale soon. I talked to one of the guys at the shop and it used to be white in colour. It was sold originally new at this place (it was a Lada dealer and they still bring in parts). Seems its model number 2329. Very little info on it. See link - http://flickr.com/photos/daveseven/2653029132/

Just drove by it this weekend - its still there.

[faksta]

2329 had a longer wheelbase and cabin, both AFAIK. Though the indexes of Russian cars are quite hard to remember...
But there were other versions, not all made in Russia/Soviet Union, and obviously 2329 wouldn't carry Chevrolet rear end  I'm a bit stuck with this car, to be honest.

[Arthur Dent]

Here is a picture of another one. The Chevy tail lights could have been used for DOT compliance.

[faksta]

Last time I came across Lada pickups, there was some mentioning of such trucks with Chevy rear lights and it was said that they could be produced in Canada.  I didn't find any proof yet.

[pnegyesi]

On Russian sites it is mentioned that Niva pickup trucks were assembled in Canada:

"ВАЗ-2121 пикап
В Канаде «Ниву» часто использовали в роли небольшого хозяйственного автомобиля, например, для очистки дорожек от снега, пристраивая снежный отвал, или для перевозки небольших грузов. Для этих целей лучше всего подходили автомобили с кузовом пикап, которых в заводской гамме не было, поэтому пикапы на базе «Нивы» стали изготавливать в Канаде еще в 80-е годы. Позже этот опыт переняли и в России."

[D-type]

Here is a picture of another one. The Chevy tail lights could have been used for DOT compliance.

The tail lights are at a different level from the other one, but look the same as the blue one in post 2.

[Arthur Dent]

Ok so these where built in Halifax, Canada. Normal Nivas where assembled there for a time as well. Quite rare even when new they where sold like new. The Chevrolet tail lights where used as they are already DOT compliant.

[Wendax]

By chance, I found this on the web:

[Arthur Dent]

Thanks - I should have added those - there is one more image to go with it too

http://oldcarjunkie.wordpress.com/2010/12/18/canadian-lada-niva-pickup/

[D-type]

perhaps a Pro will know?

[sixtee5cuda]

I'm not sure what you need to mark this solved.  Here is more information from the web:

11/08/2011 anonymous source on justacargeek.com blog posts detailed info:
    these pickups were made in the former check republic then shipped to Halifax Nova Scotia Canada to be finished ,IE.Optional Equipment.The following things could be added - 15 inch BWA mag wheels and Wrangler tires,Running boards,Sun roof,Fender skirts,Heavy duty spray on truck bed liner.Other wise the truck was sold with the standard steel 16 inch rims with heavy duty tractor tread voltyre brand tires on and none of the above optionals.As for the tail lights they are not Chev products at all but look very similar. As for the cabriolets they came in the same standard tire wheel configuration from Czechoslovakia.The options being running boards,BWA mags,Wrangler tires.Most of the pickups and cabriolets shipped to other countries did not have any of the options applied in Canada.The tires put on them were the Finland built Hakapelleta Nokians.(The second tire standard to fit the 16 inch steel rims).

The web site madeinrussia.cz has detailed info about the history of Lada.  They indicate:
In 80's, Lada Niva 2121 was mass converted to pickup in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, and then exported to Canada.

The madeinrussia info seems to confirm what anonymous posted on justacargeek.com

The Canadian work on the Lada's was performed at a location called "Halifax Autoport", which might have been at an airport.  The Canadian company involved was either called "Lada Cars", or "Peter Dennis Motor Corp."

Madeinrussia also indicates the Czech Republic produced a variation on the Niva called the Praktik, which is a longer Niva, with more cargo space behind the rear wheels.

[Carnut]

Moving to the Black Hole...

[Roman1986]

Niva PickUp 4x4 Canada'1992

"Dealer Niva PickUp 4x4 Canada 🇨🇦 . Body number 160, out of 200 dealer cars.

The most interesting thing is that such Niva pickups were produced in Canada. Their assembly was established at the facilities of Lada Canada along with the usual VAZ-2121. From 1990 to 1992, several hundred pickups were produced.

The standard three-door Niva 2121 was taken as a basis. The rear part of the body was completely changed for a pickup truck. Taillights installed from GMC Safari. Depending on the configuration, the Niva could be sold on "AT" rubber and alloy wheels. As an option there were thresholds and a sunroof. On all machines, plastic fender flares and rear window protection were standard. The interior is unchanged except for the seat trim.

All Niva were equipped with a VAZ-2106 carburetor engine, and the gearbox could be chosen between 4 and 5-speed. There are no changes to the suspension except for a small lift at the rear.

The production of pickups based on the Soviet Niva was established in the Canadian city of Halifax (this is the administrative center of the province of Nova Scotia) on the territory of the Halifax Autoport industrial zone. So Lada Canada advertised an SUV from the USSR.

These models are very rare."

[gte4289]

There is no more mystery to be solved here. Lada Niva Pick Up from Lada Canada (assembled in Halifax).

[Wendax]

ArthurDent hasn't logged in for several years, so I have given two points to Roman1986 and moved it to the Solved section.

[gte4289]

ArthurDent hasn't logged in for several years, so I have given two points to Roman1986 and moved it to the Solved section.