A sketch from late last year of a mighty Lada Niva spotted in Ponsonby. It’s not just a Niva, but the top line Cossack! There were loads of these blatting around New Zealand’s roads, farms and bush tracks in the 80’s and 90’s thanks to a trade deal between the Soviet Union and our Dairy Board where cars were received in trade for mutton and butter.
I got to drive them for work back in the day and the Niva was actually an awesome off-road machine. Although I did get one stuck twice in one day up the Whakatane River and Waioeka Gorge — I don't think they were really designed for some of the stupid stunts a young fella might attempt in the bush (when the boss isn't watching).
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