Russian cars in the US?

What Eastern Bloc cars were available in the US? I can think of the Yugo...

the Fiat 124 Sedan became a Lada.. does that count?

Expand to add Canada, and you can add Lada, Skoda, and Dacia.

I think I saw a ZIL once, but it was in NYC and probably belonged to a diplomat.

Speaking of Russian vehicles, I want a Kamaz rally truck in the worst way.

The most usable Eastern Block car is probably the Niva. Still in production so parts obtainable. The older ones are importable from Canada.

see - http://ladausa.net/forum/

It just sort of fits in this thread

In reply to aussiesmg:

birth

ArthurDent wrote: The most usable Eastern Block car is probably the Niva. Still in production so parts obtainable. The older ones are importable from Canada. see - http://ladausa.net/forum/

Nivas are importable? I love those little trucklets

Really, the Yugo was the only Eastern Bloc car available in the US. Everything else is an import.

Love me some Tatra 603

"Come see chicken's cage, Dimitri! Dis ees Cosworth in Russia... "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgHPdFr6lAs

DA!

mad_machine wrote:

ArthurDent wrote: The most usable Eastern Block car is probably the Niva. Still in production so parts obtainable. The older ones are importable from Canada. see - http://ladausa.net/forum/

Nivas are importable? I love those little trucklets

There's a Niva pickup for sale on the Lada forum right now.

mad_machine wrote:

ArthurDent wrote: The most usable Eastern Block car is probably the Niva. Still in production so parts obtainable. The older ones are importable from Canada. see - http://ladausa.net/forum/

Nivas are importable? I love those little trucklets

Sure - the oldest ones are from the late 70s. Lots have been re-VIN'd as well to take on an old identity much like the Minis. I still have the VIN number (but sadly not the VIN plate) from my old, parts '84 Niva.

Zomby woof wrote:

mad_machine wrote:

ArthurDent wrote: The most usable Eastern Block car is probably the Niva. Still in production so parts obtainable. The older ones are importable from Canada. see - http://ladausa.net/forum/

Nivas are importable? I love those little trucklets

There's a Niva pickup for sale on the Lada forum right now.

pickups are very rare. They also rust worse than the regular ones from what I've heard. That said I'd love to pick that one up. I don't believe 1992 is old enough - they need to be 25+ years old.

Here is a possible one - http://lethbridge.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-Lada-nava-W0QQAdIdZ350330564

I really can't let this thread go by without commemorating the honest-to-God official marketing slogan when Lada hit the Canadian market: "It's a Lada car for the money!"

No kidding, they really said that. Posters and everything.

When 25 year old European gliders go for $15 - $20k, a five year old Russian goes for $10k.

Heavy, under-ruddered, typical Russian quality control.

At least in a Russian car you can pull over .....

Those look great! They're like a mini bronco!

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: Really, the Yugo was the only Eastern Bloc car available in the US. Everything else is an import. Love me some Tatra 603

Whoaaaaa!!!!!! I want one!!

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: Really, the Yugo was the only Eastern Bloc car available in the US. Everything else is an import. Love me some Tatra 603

Whoaaaaa!!!!!! I want one!!

I've about decided I'd love to own a Riva if ever the chance arose. Just look how many workers fit inside!

Lada Riva Advert

And the Estate, hubba!

^^^^

Tatra 603 - rear engined, air cooled V8 - very cool indeed.

I want to find a Trabant sometime.

^German, but no less awesome. Nothing wrong with 2 stroke.