australian lada niva forum

toxicbugman · by **toxicbugman** on Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:47 am

danno 83
the first lot of photos were taken at the workshop
of Lada Motor Cars of Australia at Bertie St South Melbourne
Victoria. This lot of photos were the first Cabrios to be built in Australia
at Bay St South Melb, this building become too small with the
arrival of the much derided Samari so they shifted to Bertie St.

toxicbugman · by **toxicbugman** on Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:02 am

danno83
this one is of the last works "Off Road Nivas" that was converted to a Cabrio in the old Bay St shops , its now layed up under a
that old shed roof as shown in the first photos .

danno83 · by **danno83** on Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:46 am

I'm really impressed. Thankyou so much for these pics. I've been trying to work out how it was all done, and know I know. I'm liking the roll bar installed in the last photo there, also noticed there looks like some re-enforcing work done under it as well? wouldn't mind some more pics if possible...

this is getting my head rolling with possible ideas... possibly removing two support bars in the back, adding some angle iron the length of the sides to reinforce it, and have one 2 1/2 or 3 inch bar accross, just beding the back seat, if I decide to keep the rear seat that is...

toxicbugman · by **toxicbugman** on Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:06 pm

danno 83
no need to put all that bracing in the rear where
the seat goes, if you are going to do a lot of hard off roading the
door opening will be the place where the movement will
occure just at the point where the top of vent window meets windscreen
pillar , not much you can do about it except donnt do to many big jumps.

danno83 · by **danno83** on Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:19 pm

The bracing is more for ease of access into the boot area more than of reinforcing of chasis. with removing the rear most bracing being what I plan on hoping to do, I was thinking I'd beef up the front one to make up for it, and run 2 bits of angle down the sides, to make a platform for mounting a rear shelf/boot lid combination.

Anything I should really look out for in re-enforcing the rear axel mounts as well? the offroading I did a few weekends ago had the rear mounts flexing and making all sorts of weird noises, mostly when reversing down hills. I was thinking I'd try something there, but not sure what....

also keen to hear any other tips and pointers, as I'd like to keep this little monster as long as possible, and have it be a reliable little daily driver come capable weekend offroader.

danno83 · by **danno83** on Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:19 pm

Thanks to Jerb,

Snorkel arrived today, and got a long range tank, and another bullbar to come in the next few weeks.

So, Little cabrio is starting to look more like an offroading monster more and more.

Hopefully got a lift kit with replacement sway bars/extension arms, rock sliders (Underbody protection), wheel flares, and diff lock all on the way also, so shouldmake for a nice bit of fun

danno83 · by **danno83** on Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:15 pm

Here's the latest.

Took the 'ol girl up to Rainbow beach last week. Great week, only issue ended up being Fan shroud fell off while doing water level checks. No Biggy, just made it fun, left it sit for 5 minutes while tending to 80 series that was stuck, and blew top off overflow bottle. No harm done thankfully.

Now in process of pulling parts off 1st donor car-Engine, Interier (seats/dash) anything else of use.

Also been able to get my hands on a replacement soft top, handy for when current one fails, shouldn't be all that long now as is looking pretty sad.

In roughly 2 weeks pick up 2nd donor car-2 Inch legit lift kit, roll cage, Air con, new fuel tanks, plus about 2G of other bits and pieces the guy is getting rid of, including possibly doors, bonnet, bumpers, fans, wheels, tyres. Keeping my fingers crossed, he also has a lancia motor and gearbox he's looking at getting rid of, all going well he'll let me have them too. then I'll have a choice between 2L dohc from Lancia, or 1.7efi from Bushman.

Wife's a bit worried, as it looks like the shed's going to be full of car parts, but I'm not complaining. Will keep me going for a bit.

Will get pics, and upload as project progresses.

Plan is to strip bare, get rid of rust, reinforce body, re-spray, install new engine, upgate/renew all running gear, install new seats/rollcage, see what else happens as we go. Should be fun :lol:

Lada & Korean Parts · by **Lada & Korean Parts** on Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:34 pm

have to politely remind her dan,the shed is the MANS domain..... :wink:

stick with the kitchen,and she'll have nothing to worry about.....(oops,did i type that out loud) :twisted:

Eddy · by **Eddy** on Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:10 pm

I try not to let my missus into the kitchen as well as the shed. and if I got a preference she can go sit in the shed for a while ... can do lees damage there ...

danno83 · by **danno83** on Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:00 pm

heres the niva before I start putting it all apart

danno83 · by **danno83** on Mon May 18, 2009 10:12 am

Update, Cabrio is about to be taken to local sand blast shop and be stripped of all paint, (and hopefully all rust) few little issues arising as we go, but all in all, coming along well

danno83 · by **danno83** on Fri May 22, 2009 6:23 pm

righty-o

Cabrio is off to get soda blasted. then primed. Now next question... what colour should I go?

also, best way to hook up dual fuel... pump into main tank, or run to engine bay and switch from there?

Lilscottie · by **Lilscottie** on Sun May 24, 2009 12:18 pm

Some Inspiration:

danno83 · by **danno83** on Sun May 24, 2009 5:41 pm

what no blue ones??? may have to look into fixing that eh.

Lilscottie · by **Lilscottie** on Sun May 24, 2009 8:52 pm

This Blue?

Or this one? Also note the extended wheelbase this is a Niva Fora model (Which I truly desire!!)

Purple!!?

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