Appeared in 1988; VAZ-1111 Oka was one of the last car models designed in the dying Soviet Union.
Samokvasov/Sputnik
At first, Oka was intended to be used by disabled persons. However, it was also driven by all categories of Soviet society.
Vitaliy Arutjunov/Sputnik
One of Russia’s smallest cars, VAZ-1111 was inspired by Asian and European automobile models. It resembles a Japanese Daihatsu Cuore, which belonged to the type of small compact Japanese cars known as kei cars.
Mikhail Medvedev/ТASS
On the other hand, Oka took much from the Italian FIAT 126p Maluch.
U. Feklistov/Sputnik
Small and fragile, Oka was widely considered as one of the deadliest cars in Russia.
Mikhail Medvedev/ТASS
During a crash the car was often completely smashed like a tin can, leaving few chances for the driver or passengers to survive.
Roman Yarovitsin/TASS
Oka became widely known as a “capsule of death.”
Igor Zotin/ТАSS
VAZ-1111, however, had positive features. The first and main advantage was its low price, which was significantly important during the lean 1990s in Russia.
Pavel Petrov/ТАSS
As a small car it needed little gasoline, allowing Oka drivers to significantly save money.
Boris Kavashkin/TASS
In 2008, 20 years since the first VAZ-1111 was assembled, the car’s production was finally stopped.
Yuri Abramochkin/Sputnik