Buy This Rare Lada Niva Marsh And Never Worry About Potholes Again
No this isn't a custom, one-off build! About 1,000 were made, but this may be one of the nicest you'll find.
The evergreen Lada Niva is known for its no-frills character and its off-road credentials, but if your daily commute includes swamps, the standard model just won't cut it. Luckily, there is a specialized conversion dubbed the VAZ-1922 Marsh, designed to conquer the most extreme terrains and wetlands deep inside the Russian tundra. With fewer than 1,000 examples of the Niva Marsh in existence, it's hard to find one in good condition. Still, there is currently a listing on Mobile.de, offering Germans the rare chance to buy a fully restored model from 2002 for an asking price of €19,999 ($22,400).
Visually, the Niva Marsh looks more like a Hot Wheels toy than a road-going vehicle. Its massive low-pressure tires give it a generous ground clearance and allow it to navigate snow, mud, and water-saturated soil without breaking a sweat. As with rally-prepped Nivas, the bodywork has been cut and tweaked in order to accommodate the new shoes, with the tractor-style wide fender extensions featuring integrated mud flaps. The exterior is finished in a purple shade, which would presumably make it easier for rescue teams to spot it case it gets buried under the snow.
Rare sighting of a Russian bigfoot
Other upgrades include the bull bars on both ends, protecting the SUV from minor collisions with trees and rocks. Furthermore, it gets rectangular headlights instead of the stock round units, and aftermarket taillights. The chassis has also been modified with custom-made axles and suspension. Overall, this is one of the wildest Niva conversions we've seen.
The utilitarian cabin is largely carried over from the standard Niva of the early 2000s, before Lada gave it improved materials and modern features. The steering wheel and the bucket seats have Bronto lettering, referencing the specialized AvtoVAZ subsidiary responsible for building the Marsh and the rugged Niva Bronto.
Unfortunately, the Lada Niva Marsh never got the V8 it deserved. Instead, it comes fitted with the naturally aspirated 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 79 hp (59 kW / 80 PS). While it certainly won't win any drag races, the combination of low-range gearing and those balloon-like tires makes it unstoppable in snow-covered environments where traditional off-roaders would sink.
The seller notes that the Niva has undergone a professional restoration, explaining its like-new condition. It should be noted, however, that Lada has recently unveiled a heavily updated version of the Niva Legend with double-sided galvanized steel body panels, a driver airbag, improved insulation and A/C, plus a more powerful engine, if you'd rather get something a little newer.