by Currently, the topic of possible cooperation between ZAZ and Renault is actively discussed on the internet. However, few know that half a century ago there existed a Zaporozhets with a Renault engine. 
To be more precise, we are talking about the export version Yalta 1000. It’s hard to believe, but the ZAZ-966 was sold in 20 countries around the world. A version with a liter engine from the Renault R8 was specially created for Europe.
Important detail: the French four-cylinder had liquid cooling. The engine developed 44 hp, which made it more powerful than the existing ZAZ engines at the time. 
The ZAZ Yalta 1000 was showcased at a car show in Brussels and even the authoritative British journal Autocar wrote about it. In Belgium, they planned to establish large-scale assembly of Zaporozhets and had even prepared advertising brochures and booklets. 
However, then something went wrong and the Yalta 1000 remained a single specimen.
Since 1969, ZAZ-966s with standard 1.2-liter Melitopol engines were exported.
