1979 - The MTX-1600 Rally Lada from Czechoslovakia

1979 Mayin a Czechoslovakian motoring magazine, the Svět motorů-details of the test published in the Car Engine, in which the Prague-based METALEX (MTX) factory converted by VAZ 21011-es Lada rally version was tested. 

Developed by Metalex, the 1600 MTX was produced between 1979 and 1984. The plant was originally a repair shop for Škoda racers, and later became the basis for the production of Formula Easter, cross and rally cars. The company still operates with a similar profile, with development in Prague, production in Plzeň and servicing in Mĕlník.

The price of 100,000 Czechoslovak crowns at the end of the article was roughly 200,000 Hungarian forints at the prices of the time. At the same time, the 1300 cost 114 000 forints at "new" price, but the 1600 series also cost "only" 140 000 forints. The most expensive (eastern) car in Merkur's range at the time was the Volga GAZ-24-02 estate, with a price of 177 000 forints.

Below is a full transcript of the article published in 1979, or see the gallery at the end of the post for images of the original writing. Enjoy your browsing!

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What can the "Lada 1600 MTX Rallye" do?

The staff of our sister company "Svét Motorú" in Prague, engineers Gregora 0. and Kosfal P., put the prototype of the "Lada 1600 MTX Rallye" prepared by Metalex in Prague through a test of several thousand kilometres. Here is an extract of the results of this test drive.

By the end of January 1979, some 30 of these 1600-engined race cars, built into 1300 Ladas, had been produced and sold.
The fewest changes were made to the car body. Four replacement headlights (two of which are fog lights) have been added to the front of the car. The roll bar extends to the front of the interior. The dashboard is fitted with a panel insert, a radiator thermometer and an oil pressure gauge. Both gauges, as well as the fuel gauge and the Halda tripmaster, are located in front of the competitor. The interior of the car is completed by the battery switch (under the second seat).

The engine is a series-produced, in-line, four-cylinder, OHC-controlled, (stroke ∅ 79X80 mm) 1568 cc engine, modified within the permissible limits. Its compression ratio was increased to 10.4:1. The special camshaft opening angle is 300⁰, and the engine is fed by two Weber 45 DCOE 9 double-port carburettors (with special intake manifold). The cylinder head is specially polished and the crankcase is ventilated. Up to now, power outputs of 81-85 kW (110-115 hp) have been achieved at 6600-6800 rpm, but the designers assume that further improvements could bring power outputs of 95-100 kW, which would significantly improve the car's dynamic characteristics. (The battery has been moved to the front of the boot, where it is partly protected and also improves the weight distribution).

Parts of the chassis have been modified to improve the ride quality. The rear springs were shortened by about 1/2 thread and the stock shock absorbers were replaced with Koni or Bilstein shock absorbers.
The tested car was running on MTX 1-A 7 electron wheels and Barum 210/65-13 Radial OR 27 tyres. (During the tests, some measurements were also taken with 165 SR 13 tyres.)

Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is 12.6 litres of super petrol, max. 19.25 litres.

Compared to the production car, the MTX's handling characteristics are markedly better. But the car does not deny its concept. It is mainly the hard rear-wheel drive that is characteristic: the car "jumps" here and there, and this helps the car's tendency to turn within certain limits.

Image source: wiki / Miloslav Rejha

The "Lada 1600 MTX Rallye", homologated in Group 2 of the FIA International Sporting Code Annex J, passed the "torturous" test runs without a single fault.

Of course, the development of a car is never really finished. This is also true for this car, which costs around Kcs. 100,000 when ready to start.

source: arcanum / Autó-Motor 1979 May