Originally created to mobilize the large number of Soviet citizens who lived in remote rural areas of the USSR, the Lada Niva has evolved into an icon during its nearly 50-year (and still counting) production run. Its combination of capability, simplicity, and charm is matched by few other vehicles. It is an accomplished off-roader, the result of its remarkable technical specification, which includes permanent four-wheel drive, high- and low-range transfer case, locking center differential, and unitary construction. These features, coupled with its ample ground clearance and compact dimensions in both the wheelbase and overhangs, make it nearly unstoppable off-road – as demonstrated by the Nivas that finished 2nd overall in the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1982 and 1983.

At its 1977 introduction, the Niva stood alone in the market. There was nothing else available in the West that combined its remarkable ability with a low price and compact dimensions, and thus, it became a highly successful export model. Nivas were never offered in the US, however, which makes them something of a curiosity here. This example was imported in 2020 and became part of a large private collection. Unusually well maintained with a charming patina, this Lada Niva offers endless smile-inducing possibilities for transport, from country-home-runabout to cars-and-coffee novelty or date-night transport for the couple with an appreciation for the Niva’s rustic appeal.

*Please note that this vehicle will not be sold for use or resale in California or to a non-dealer California resident.