Tuners presented their own ZAZ-965 “Zaporozhets” with an engine from Opel
Car enthusiasts sometimes create truly unique cars by combining parts from different cars. A striking example is the Zaporozhets restomod with an Opel engine and chassis from Tavria, as well as other cars.
The authors of the project wanted to create a car not for racing, but for leisurely walks. At the same time, the legendary “Zaporozhets” should not have turned out to be slow. Therefore, instead of the weak standard engine, they installed a 1.8-liter 115-horsepower unit from Opel Ascona with an automatic transmission. Some will say 115 hp. this is very small in modern realities, but do not forget about the small mass of the ZAZ.
The bottom from the Tavria served as the base, to which the front part from Ascona was welded for ease of installation of the new engine. The suspension was also taken from Opel, turning the front into the rear. But the front suspension is from a VAZ-2110 with ventilated brake discs to increase braking efficiency, which is very important in any project.
The iconic Zaporozhets body was installed on the finished chassis, but it had to be heavily altered. Only the roof and pillars were retained; everything else was done anew with extended wheel arches and aerodynamic skirts. The elements were made in plaster molds and secured with glue and rivets.
The interior managed to retain the vintage charm of the 1960s, but with new content: seats and steering wheel from Toyota Supra, multimedia, air conditioning, sunroof. A lot of work had to be done to place the new units. The result is a stylish and dynamic “Zaporozhets” with the character of a sports car. The suspension is a bit harsh, but acceleration to 190 km/h is guaranteed. This restomod is a striking example of the creativity of real car enthusiasts who can breathe new life into a retro car. (photo: samodelki-avto.ru)
