Project Cars: 1988 Lada Niva – Update 4

The Drive team reveal what is hidden away in their sheds and backyards awaiting some TLC...


Update 4 – The decade of decadent decals!

As I am on the quest to loosely restore my 1988 Lada Niva to ‘original’ condition, it was only a matter of time before I delved into the rich and bountiful world of accessory decals.

I’m not sure when bright, abstract or just plain wacky ‘stickers’ became a thing in the car world, but if they had a peak, pre-Glasnost ‘80s was it.

Big chunks of red, orange, pink and red were the norm, and they transformed reasonably pedestrian designs into rolling modern art canvases. They seem to have become largely extinct, with only Alpina's iconic deko pin-stripes and Mercedes-AMG's often-imitated 'Edition One' side stripes seeming to survive in recent times.

My first Niva had some wicked period-correct ‘Cabrio’ lettering and a straked black and white motif along the sides. Niva two ran naked, but three copped a custom Lancia Fulvia black bonnet and rally signage, four was the infamous ‘Martini Lada’, and five had a white ‘Niva Deluxe’ graphic along the beltline to remind everyone it was, in fact, deluxe.

Given this, I consider myself experienced enough to give six the right treatment. But just what that treatment is to be, is the big question.

A late-night Instagram banter session with the team at local period-correct sticker legends, Recal Decals, unearthed a veritable ‘sokrovishche’ of 1980s Russian vinyl craziness.

So much so that I am now spoilt for choice, and have no option but to reach out to you lot for some car advice… However ironic that might be.

Currently, I’m a fan of the ‘California’ stripes which blends some tonally sympathetic angular stripes with the car’s body colour. But I’m not sure how bold to be with said colours.

However, there are options of more colour blocks, swathes and gradients that might work just as well with my Forest Green Niva. I’m even open to painting the silver factory wheels white if the right design calls for it.

On top of this, I've had a parcel of goodies arrive from Ukraine (which included some complementary and curious 'Frau Milk' chocolates) and the local Niva community have helped me find some headlamp wipers and the original crank handle so it might be time to start putting all the pieces together.

Justin recently helped me secure a clean set of front and rear bumpers, and I have the OE radio and two-spoke steering wheel ready to fit up, so I feel if we can sort some snazzy decals, the car might be in good shape to bring to the next Highball Cars and Coffee event in Melbourne on May 16th.

So, audience, what say you?

Help me decide on the right decal kit for the car, and I’ll let the Recal Decal guys do the rest!


Current Status – Stickers!
Odometer – 101,500km (it still hasn't moved very far...)
Next up – Break out the hammer and sickle, we're putting things together!


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James Ward

With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.

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