Registration - H32 AMA

Chassis No. - XTA210560M1167900

M.O.T. - March 2025

Odometer - 12,000

This is a ‘time-warp’ car, which we are told has covered just over 12,000 miles in its 33 years. It was bought new in 1991 by a lady who sold it to a member of her family in 2005. Four years later it was acquired by an older gentleman who used it for the occasional Sunday outing before giving it to his grandson in 2017, who put the car into storage. The current owner bought ‘H32 AMA’ in 2021, recommissioned the vehicle, fitted two new tyres and a fuel pump and had it serviced. Smartly presented in its original red paintwork with blue cloth interior, this right-hand-drive example comes with a history file containing the original bill of sale, owner’s manual, MOT certificates and invoices for work done since 1991. This remarkably well-preserved example of Russian automotive production has an MOT to 2 March 2025 and the present owner describes the engine, four-speed manual transmission, electrics and interior as ‘excellent’ and the bodywork and paintwork as ‘good’.

The Lada Riva is the collective name given for the right-hand-drive market versions of the Lada/VAZ-2105 and 2104, a compact car produced in saloon (2105) and estate (2104) versions which was introduced in 1979. The ‘luxury’ estate, the 2107, was introduced a few years later. Built by the Russian AvtoVAZ company, these utilitarian but comfortable vehicles were exported to Western Europe and further afield from 1983, targeting the budget car market. The Riva evolved from the original VAZ-2101, which was derived from the world’s third highest-selling single-generation automobile platform, the Fiat 124, and introduced in 1970. From their earliest days, these products of the Soviet Union found an audience who, undeterred by their crudeness when compared to their European counterparts, appreciated the fact that they were practical, tough, reliable and cheap. With its 1300cc OHC engine bringing a degree of refinement and making the car less noisy than its predecessors, the Lada Riva was a definite step forward and boasted significantly more comfortable seats than the 2101, a more modern dashboard, and height-adjustable headlamps with wipers. It still offered tremendous value for money, and was easy for an enthusiast owner to service or repair at home, not least because the 21-piece toolkit which came as standard with the car included everything needed to perform an annual service.

In summary:

• A ‘time warp’ example with a credible 12,000 miles on the clock
• Remarkably original and smartly presented
• An opportunity to acquire a little-used modern classic