MOSCOW: What is probably the world's most expensive Lada car is up for sale on a Russian website for an eye-watering US$283,000 (RM1.3mil).
The rustic Niva has a loyal following in Europe and beyond but the primitive off-roader was always cheap to buy. Production was from 1977 to around 2019.
For the money being asked for this bright red 1980 example in time capsule condition, you could buy 25 new ones - or a new Lamborghini Urus SUV.
The Lada is being offered on the auto.ru website at a price of 23 million Russian roubles. At the current exchange rate, this corresponds to US$283,000 or €265,000.
What makes this rustic mudplugger so special is that it has hardly ever been driven either on or off the road and is still in delivery condition 43 years after it left the factory.
The compact SUV and is said to have covered only 220km and on the website photos it looks like new.
The car has apparently been perfectly preserved, with seats protected by clear foil. The underside is spotless with no mud or rust. Even the passenger door is still sealed as was the custom at the plant where it was built.
The Lada spent its entire car life under a tarpaulin in a garage and it not known why the owner wants to part with the car after so many years.
However, it is clear from the advertisement that the Niva is being offered with all accessories, as well as all receipts and documents, including the original purchase invoice.
The location of the Niva is given in the ad as the city of Tolyatti, some 800km south-east of here and the site of the Lada factory.
