Nicolas Fantin and his son Lucien made their Dakar Classic debut earlier this month with a Lada Niva and a budget of about €70,000. Given how expensive the trip was, they don’t plan on coming back in 2027.

“We need to recover financially from this project and then allow some time between two major projects,” the Fantins explained in a Facebook Q&A.

They bought their Lada in early 2024, and restored it with help from vintage car movie supplier Normandy Rétro Prestige. However, much of the interior had to be replaced. A new engine from Lada 1600 was installed while the rear axle came from a Toyota Hilux. In total, the build cost around €25,000.

Competing as Pom’Family Racing with Nicolas as the driver, the two finished 88th overall and 68th among cars. It was a challenging experience almost from the start when they exceeded the time limit for Stage 1 then had an alternator belt issue the next day.

The steering box then broke in the middle of Stage 3. Some mechanics from LOEB FrayMédia Motorsport helped get them back in the race starting with Stage 7 after the rest day. Unfortunately, the Lada lost a tie rod in Stage 8.

Despite the tribulations, they ultimately reached the finish. Somewhat fittingly, Sladjan Miljic was right ahead in his own Lada.

“We each had our share of troubles,” the Fantins recalled. “Usually when one wasn’t working, the other wasn’t either.”

Featured image credit: Rodrigo Barreto / FOTOP / ASO