We all love our auto industry very much, we don’t have a soul in it. But at the same time, many of us are not aware of the opportunities that Soviet engineers and designers were endowed with. And the possibilities were almost limitless.
Here I have compiled a list of rare, unique and simply unusual Soviet cars that you will never see with your own eyes.
I am proud of the Soviet engineers and resent the Soviet officials, who spoiled a lot of promising developments.
And what technological backlog was lost as a result of Perestroika is simply incomprehensible to the mind.
I promise it will be interesting.
Let's start with government projects in the automotive industry.
PROTOTYPES
GAZ-62 - our answer to the Americans
GAZ-62 (1952) - a prototype of an army off-road vehicle, created to replace the Dodge 3/4, which had proven itself in the army during the war (which was supplied to the USSR under lend-lease).
The car had overall dimensions of 5000x2100x1800 mm and a wheelbase of 2850 mm, was designed to carry 12 people or 1200 kg of cargo, the maximum speed of the all-terrain vehicle was 85 km / h. A 6-cylinder 76-horsepower engine was used as a power unit.
A number of progressive solutions for that time were used in the design of this car: to prevent the ingress of water, dirt and sand, the drum wheel brakes were sealed, rubber pads in the seals of the springs reduced the amount of maintenance. The all-terrain vehicle was distinguished by comfort: there was a powerful heater with a windshield blower, and rear springs possessed variable stiffness providing a high level of smoothness.
In addition to the main passenger version, a cargo modification of the car was also developed - GAZ-62A with an enlarged body and a horizontal spare wheel.
GAZ-62 passed all the necessary tests and in 1958 was demonstrated as perspective model Gorky Automobile Plant at the All-Union Industrial Exhibition in Moscow (later - VDNH), but for unknown reasons it was not put into production.
ZIS-E134 layout No. 1
In the summer of 1954, the newly formed VMS ZIS, which initially numbered only 20 people, was given the task of creating a fundamentally new medium multi-purpose four-axle (8 × 8) ultra-high cross-country vehicle (aka high-speed artillery tractor ATK-6) with a carrying capacity of 5-6 tons.
Since there was no experience in developing such machines, to study the issues of increasing cross-country ability wheeled vehicles, as well as to assess the influence of individual design parameters on the patency during July-August 1955, an experimental four-axle (8 × 8) truck ZIS-E134 layout No. 1 was built.
Experienced ZIL-E134 proved its worth. Practically not inferior to the caterpillar tractor in terms of cross-country ability and traction, it had a number of significant advantages - higher speed on the highway and a running gear resource, cheaper operation. The conducted tests made it possible to identify areas for further research. Both the developer and the customer wanted to see a more advanced machine. According to the requirements of the military, its carrying capacity was to be at least 6 tons, the weight of the towed gun doubled. Nevertheless, the invaluable experience gained in the design, construction and testing of the ZIL-E134 layout No. 1 gave confidence in the successful completion of the new task at a high technical level.
ZIS-E134 layout No. 2
In order to determine the parameters and constructive solutions on April 9, 1956, a prototype 8 × 8 ZIS-E134 layout No. 2 was built. It differed from its predecessor in a displacement hull, lack of elastic suspension wheels (based on the experience of testing the ZIS-E134 model No. 1), the presence of a water jet (not installed immediately) with a rotary nozzle that performs the functions of a water rudder. Working wheel the water cannon was borrowed from the PT-76 tank. By power plant, transmission, propulsion and control system new car did not differ from the ZIS-E134 layout No. 1.
MAZ-505
MAZ-505 (1962) - experienced four wheel drive truck with an onboard platform, created for the army. This model did not go into mass production, most likely giving way to another novelty of those years - the GAZ-66.
ZIL-132R - super truck for the agricultural industry
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The machine, created under the leadership of the chief designer A. I. Filippov in the department of the chief designer of the ZIL, headed by V. A. Grachev, had a number of interesting features. The chassis had a uniform placement of three (2100 + 2100 mm) axles along the base, power unit(ZIL-130 engine, boosted to 165 hp) with a clutch and gearbox was placed between the first and second axles, and a fiberglass cabin with steel doors was placed in front of the engine. The transmission was carried out according to the n-shaped scheme, that is, with on-board distribution of the power flow so that the wheels of each side had a rigid (non-differential) kinematic connection with each other. The double-disk clutch was supplied with a hydraulic drive, and a mechanical 5-speed gearbox - remote control. The cylindrical differential of the inter-board transfer case was equipped with a locking mechanism. A power take-off mechanism with a hydraulic pump was mounted on the gearbox to drive a tipper body or fertilizer application equipment.
The change in direction of movement was provided by turning the front and rear steered wheels due to hydraulic system without a rigid connection between the front and rear steered axles. Tires 16.00–20 with a diameter of about 1400 mm were installed on the car, which, in combination with an independent suspension, provided ground clearance from 480 to 590 mm, centralized system air pressure control in tires and ventilated disc brakes with dual-circuit hydraulic drive, which were not located in the wheel hubs, but on the final drives of the front and rear steered wheels. Among the serial trucks ZIL-132 R at that time there was no equal. Moreover, the cross-country performance of the car was so high that it freely competed, and in many cases surpassed caterpillar tractors used in the countryside.
But the car was built in a single copy.
ZIL-E167 - cross-country snowmobile
ZiL-E167 (1963) is an experimental off-road wheeled all-terrain vehicle designed for use in complete off-road under adverse climatic conditions. The machine was created using components and assemblies from the 135L chassis, which was practically ready by that time, the frame of which was additionally reinforced.
The super all-terrain vehicle was driven by two ZIL-375 engines of 118 hp each. each, the power was transmitted according to the onboard circuit. The engines were placed at the rear, for better cooling, air intakes were provided on the sides of the body. Huge wheels, shod in tires with a dimension of 21.00-28 and a diameter of 1790 mm on unique fiberglass (!) Prefabricated disks with metal elements, weighed almost three times less than their metal counterparts. The ground clearance of the car with these wheels was 852 mm, the bottom was covered with steel sheets to protect the units and better glide through snow and mud.
The cabin of the driver and passengers was also made of fiberglass; longitudinal seats were installed in the cabin. The cabin, borrowed from the ZIL-135L, and the interior were heated by independent heaters. Among other things, a winch was installed on the machine with tractive effort in 7 tons.
Suspension corresponded to that of 135L, drum brakes were actuated by a hydropneumatic system. During the tests, the car proved to be excellent, maximum speed in winter on the highway it was 75 km/h, on virgin snow 10 km/h. However, the all-terrain vehicle did not go into series, because due to the complexity of the transmission design, it was inferior in terms of maintainability to the GT-1 tracked tractor.
ZIL-49061
ZIL-49061 is a three-axle all-wheel drive floating vehicle based on the ZIL-4906 all-terrain vehicle. It is part of the search and rescue complex "Blue Bird".
These amphibians were equipped with ZIL-131 engines with mechanical boxes gear; used independent suspension of all wheels, two propellers; the front and rear wheels were made steerable, and the connection between the two was provided by a hydrostatic servo drive, due to which the turn rear wheels begins after turning the front ones at an angle greater than 6 °. The solution for the brake mechanisms was very non-standard: they were disc brakes, but they were not located in the wheels, but in the body of the car.
The machines of the 490 complex have successfully passed the tests and have been mass-produced for many years. These "Blue Birds" are still serving in the Military Space Forces. There is no replacement for them. Two 4906s were sent to Germany during the floods that swept over it in the summer of 2002, where they were used very effectively to evacuate residents from flooded areas. In Europe, there was nothing like it, which caused the Germans a feeling of admiration and outright envy.
In addition, the Blue Bird complex included ZIL-2906.
ZIL-2906 is a rotary auger snow and swamp vehicle carried on a cargo ZIL-4906. After the improvement, he received the index 29061.
The swamp vehicle was equipped with two VAZ rotary piston engines with an onboard transmission scheme, the body and augers were made of aluminum alloy, and the cabin was made of fiberglass.
To this day, no other country in the world has such a unique complex, which, thanks to the ZIL-29061, has almost absolute all-terrain capability.
ZIL-4904
The auger snow and swamp all-terrain vehicle ZIL-4904 was built in 1972 and is the largest in the world. Payload- 2.5 tons. However, he developed a very low speed - 10.1 km / h on the water, 7.3 km / h in the swamp, 4.45 km / h on the rafting, 10.5 km / h on the snow.
Lightweight hollow or polymer-filled (for example, foam) augers allow the machine to float on water, cross such deadly places where any wheeled and tracked vehicles get stuck or sink. However, since the augers are made of a hard material, usually non-ferrous metals, an auger-rotary all-terrain vehicle is completely unsuitable for paved roads. On asphalt, concrete and even rubble, such a car will have to be transported on a tow truck.
VAZ-E2121 "Crocodile" - early prototype the legendary Niva
VAZ-E2121 "Crocodile" (1971) - an early prototype of the experimental VAZ-2121, with a frame and an open body, switchable front and rear axles. In the future, the design of the car was almost completely changed, in total two prototypes of this model were produced.
AZLK-2150 - a prototype of the off-road Moskvich
AZLK-2150 is a light SUV from AZLK, created in the USSR in 1973, as part of a project to create a compact comfortable SUV. The aggregate part of the prototype was unified with the M-2140 model, which was planned for production at that time. In total, two prototypes of the M-2150 were created with canvas and hard tops.
The Moscow SUV turned out to be different in concept from the Niva, closer to the "classic" SUVs - with a separate spar frame, continuous axles and stiff springs. In the competition of three plants (at AvtoVAZ - the future VAZ-2121 Niva, and at IZH-mash - Izh-14), AvtoVAZ won, having managed to create the most comfortable and competitive on the world market, although less "off-road" design.
The military department became interested in the M-2150 prototype, formally an order was received from the Ministry of Defense for the production of 60 thousand vehicles per year at a plant in the city of Kineshma, but the matter never came to production.
VAZ-E2122 - army SUV from Tolyatti
VAZ-E2122 (1976) - the first version of an experimental, floating off-road vehicle, developed by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense (initially, the project was created on the plant's own initiative). The car was designed using components and assemblies of the civilian VAZ-2121 Niva car, which was being prepared for production at the same time.
The E2122 differed from its counterparts primarily in its original design, which did not give out an amphibian in it, small size and maneuverability (for example, the turning radius on water and land was practically the same). The sealed body allowed the car to move through the water at a speed of 4.5 km / h by rotating the wheels. The 1.6-liter engine, permanent all-wheel drive, contributed to the good maneuverability of the car (on land and on water), which was not inferior to the “old man” UAZ-469 at all. From UAZ (for the purpose of unification), the prototype got a winch and a tow bar, at the request of the military, the bumpers were made as flat as possible, with lights recessed into them so that a car stuck in front could be pushed, the windshield and side door frames folded. In addition, the "jeep" was equipped with two gas tanks, and the body structure provided for the installation of a stretcher.
On the first version of the car, the awning did not have side windows, but during the tests it became clear that rear visibility was sorely lacking and they were included in the design. However, the tightness of the body had a bad effect temperature regime the work of the "Nivovsky" units, as a result of which they quickly failed, the light body could not withstand serious loads. But the customers still liked the prototype, it was decided to continue work and design the second version of the jeep.
VAZ-2E2122 - the second version of the floating jeep
VAZ-2E2122 (1977) - the second version of the floating SUV for the army, created on the basis of the E2122 prototype. On this prototype, VAZ designers tried to take into account all the wishes of the military department and get rid of the shortcomings of the first version: overheating of the engine and transmission, breakdowns in exhaust system, poor visibility, and work out several other important points, like the ability to start at low temperatures.
UAZ-452K - triaxial loaf
UAZ-452K (1973) - an experimental sixteen-seater bus with a 6x4 wheel arrangement. Based on this bus, Medea resuscitation vehicles were developed for the needs of Georgian mine rescuers. There was also a variant with a 6x6 wheel formula, later in Georgia a small-scale production of reanimobiles was established from 1989 to 1994, approximately 50 units per year.
But this project was not buried - the car was produced from 1989 to 1994 by the Vezdekhod cooperative from the Georgian city of Bolnisi.
ZIL-4102 - the prototype of the last "membership"
ZIL-4102 is a promising limousine that was supposed to replace the outdated five-seater ZIL-41041 sedan. In 1988, the sixth ZIL workshop produced two prototypes of the car. Fundamental difference the new model from other Soviet limousines was the lack of a frame, in connection with this, the ZIL designers had to do a lot of work to reduce the vibrations of the supporting body. The new sedan was half a meter longer than the Volga, and weighed half a ton less than the ZIL-41041. Roof and floor panels, trunk lid, hood and bumpers were made of fiberglass.
NAMI-0284 "Debut" (1987)
A car - a concept car, as they wrote then, "of an especially small class", was built with the prospect of using some solutions for a serial ZAZ car.
The original body was good aerodynamics(drag coefficient Cx - 0.23). The Oka engines (VAZ-1111 and VAZ-11113) were installed on the car, and the MeMZ-245 was installed on a later version with a slightly modified finish ("Debut-II"). They also planned to test a car with turbocharged VAZ-11113 and MeMZ engines with a 16-valve block head. "Debut" was equipped with an electrovacuum clutch, a cruise control system.
AZLK 2142 "Moskvich" - an experienced sedan
AZLK 2142 "Moskvich" (1990-96) is an experimental sedan created on the basis of AZLK-2141 and presented to the general public in 1990. The car was fully tested and practically ready for production, it was planned to send the car to the conveyor already in 1992, equipping it with a new Moskvich-414 engine.
After the collapse of the USSR, the death of the then general director of AZLK V.P. Kolomnikov, these plans were not destined to come true, but with various engines the prototype was assembled for several more years. Moreover, a car that did not actually exist later served as the basis for the small-scale models "Prince Vladimir" and "Ivan Kalita" produced in small batches.
Project "Istra"
AZLK-2144, "Istra" - an experimental car of the AZLK plant, created in the mid-late 1980s. It was made in a single copy around 1985-88, never mass-produced.
Distinguished by a whole range unique solutions, including - duralumin body without central pillar; two wide side doors opening vertically upwards; diesel, rapeseed oil powered; night vision device and indication of instrument readings on windshield; unique automatic transmission.
Istra was ahead of its time in many ways. At that time, this machine was much superior to its predecessors.
The only model sample, previously kept in the AZLK museum, is now in the museum on Rogozhsky Val in Moscow.
UAZ-3170 Simbir
In 1975, at UAZ, under the chief designer Startsev, development began, and in 1980 a demonstration model of a "car general purpose off-road" UAZ-3170 "Simbir". The car had a ground clearance of 325 mm and a height of 1960 mm - both parameters differed from the "469th" (215 and 2050 mm). The suspension was dependent spring.
Alexander Sergeevich Shabanov was the lead designer of the GAK theme and the head of the test group. Military samples of the machine were tested and protected by the project in the Moscow Region in 1982-1983.
Subsequently, according to the results, the second version of Simbir was born - UAZ-3171 (1985-1987).
Simbir 1990 army
Simbir 1990 civil
NAMI-LuAZ "Proto" - the ghost of a Russian country road
NAMI-LuAZ "Proto" (1989) - a prototype created in the Leningrad branch of NAMI as part of a competition announced by the Ministry of Autoselkhozmash, a team of designers and designers led by G. Khainov. The body was a metal frame, on which were hung plastic panels, which simplified the repair, improved the performance of the car.
The MeMZ-245 engine from Tavria was used as a power plant, the transmission was developed almost from scratch: a non-switchable cardan gear, a gearbox that drives and connects front axle(without transfer box). Gearbox, power take-off on front-wheel drive, front main gear were collected in one block. Front suspension independent (McPherson), rear dependent (De Dion). The motor, along with the front suspension and radiator, was mounted on a removable subframe, which facilitated the repair and assembly of the car.
Salon "Proto" is designed for four passengers, the seats have been transformed, forming a single bed. The rear part of the roof was removed, it was possible to install an awning.
In parallel with the Proto, LuAZ developed its own version of the future car, which had serious differences, as part of the competition.
LuAZ 1301 (1984/88/94) is a prototype of a light SUV, which was supposed to replace the outdated 969M model on the conveyor. The first version of the car was designed back in 1984 and was the same 969M with a new body. The 1988 prototype was different frame-panel body(steel frame and plastic panels), pneumatic elements in an independent spring suspension, allowing you to change the ground clearance. The upgraded MeMZ-245 engine from Tavria was used as a power plant.
The drive of all wheels is permanent, the transmission had a lockable center differential. The roof and sidewalls were removed, making it easy to convert a jeep into a pickup truck, and a soft top version was also planned. Backdoor the car was made of two sections - upper and lower, the spare wheel and a set of tools were placed in niches under the front seats, thus completely freeing the luggage compartment.
But for unknown reasons, not a single version of the machine was chosen, and a year later it was completely out of time for prototypes.
MAZ 2000 "Perestroika"
Brilliant name. Well, it just delivers wildly.
MAZ 2000 "Perestroika" (1988) - a prototype of the main truck, which was distinguished by its original modular design: most of the units were located in front - the engine, gearbox, drive axle and steering. If necessary, any of the "passive" bogies was replaced by a similar set of units, allowing you to build road trains of any length and carrying capacity.
It was the first Soviet car designed specifically for truckers. In the autumn of 1988, at the Paris Motor Show, this design was highly appreciated, but the prototype never got into production, for obvious reasons.
The wrong country was called Honduras.
Of course, this is not the whole list. There were still a lot of interesting projects that remained in single copies. And even in the form of drawings.
Why were these projects not implemented? There are reasons for that. The Soviet system, again, was imperfect, it often gave rise to brilliant projects and revolutionary ideas, but immediately killed them.
What happened in our time with many of these exhibits?
HOME-MADE CARS
Why not? If you have a technical education, cooks a bowler hat, and claws do not grow from your ass - so why not build your own car?
In the USSR it was quite possible.
In the 1960s, the well-known magazine Tekhnika-molodezhi led the movement of amateur automotive industry in the USSR. For 20 years, on the pages of the magazine, on TV screens, during many car runs around the country, the eyes of millions of readers and viewers have appeared dozens self-made cars. A huge thing in the popularization of the amateur car industry in the 80s was the transfer "You Can Do It" (computer), which enjoyed popular attention. For each 45-minute broadcast, television received up to half a million letters (!!!).
Of all the projects of that time, I selected the most interesting ones.
"Pangolina"
Like the first products of Ford and Benz, the legend of the Soviet author's automotive industry - "Pangolina", was designed and built by almost one person. Alexander Kulygin. Unlike the amusing "Shelf" or "Ant", Kulygin's "Pangolin" was a full-fledged car created by an experienced and talented designer.
The main structural material of the body was fiberglass. Work on the creation of the Pangolin body began with the formation of a master model - a plywood base for fiberglass. The main operations were carried out in Moscow. After Kulygin left for Ukhta, the master model was destroyed. The process of adapting the body to the chassis of the VAZ penny took place in the city of Ukhta. The original engine from the VAZ 2101 was used as the engine - a forced alternative to the planned boxer engine, which never appeared in the final version of the Pangolin.
Experts claimed that Kulygin was inspired by the Lamborghini Countach sports car. This is indicated by the shape of the body and the original design of the mechanism for opening and closing doors - implemented in the form of a movable cap that captures part of the roof. A periscope prism was used as a rear-view mirror.
We present to your attention several interesting concepts developed during the Soviet era, and unique cars that existed in a single copy.
As a rule, they were created to set speed records, sometimes "airplane" technologies were used in their construction. And some models were built by enthusiasts who worked alone or in small groups, and surprised the people with masterpieces that in many ways surpassed the products of the automotive industry.
GAZ-A-Aero
The serial GAZ-A, produced since 1932, was almost a complete copy of the Ford-A, but the GAZ-A-Aero, built in 1934, looked little like its predecessor. Engineer Alexander Nikitin, as part of his work “Investigation of car streamlining”, was able to reduce fuel consumption by about a quarter and increase the maximum speed from 80 km / h to 106 km / h.
For this, GAZ-A had to be overhauled, leaving only the chassis and engine the same. The body of steel sheets on a wooden frame was built on the basis of models tested in the MAI wind tunnel. The rear wheels were covered with fairings, the locks and steps were hidden inside, and the headlights were recessed into the fenders. At the same time, the mass of the body remained almost unchanged: GAZ-A weighed 1200 kg, GAZ-A-Aero - 1270 kg. The width of the car remained the same - 1710 mm, and the length was 4970 mm with a wheelbase of 2620 mm.
Unfortunately the second World War forced Nikitin to stop research in the field of car aerodynamics, turning his attention to tank tracks, and further fate a single copy GAZ-A-Aero is unknown.
"Victory-Sport"
The Pobeda-Sport sports car (GAZ-SG1), designed by aircraft engineer Alexei Smolin, was based on the chassis of the serial GAZ-M-20 Pobeda, but the boosted engine and aerodynamic duralumin body made it possible to achieve really high speed characteristics. GAZ-SG1 became the first Soviet sports car built in several copies. Most likely, there were five such machines. Three of them in 1951 were equipped with Rutz rotary superchargers and a two-chamber K-22 carburetor, which made it possible to increase the power of the modified Pobedov engine with a volume of 2487 cm³ to 105 hp, and speed - up to 190 km / h.
With its dimensions (length - 5680 mm, width - 1695 mm, height - 1480 mm, wheelbase- 2700 mm) the car weighed only 1200 kg. On cars of the Pobeda-Sport brand, three all-Union speed records were set and three championships of the USSR were won (1950, 1955 and 1956).
The ZIS-112, which appeared shortly after Pobeda-Sport, was also conceived as a sports car, but the designers faced a number of difficulties. serial engine ZIS-110 power 140 hp turned out to be rather weak for a body weighing 2450 kg, and it had to be replaced with an in-line 8-cylinder engine with a volume of 6005 cm³, the immodest dimensions and weight of which had a bad effect on the weight distribution of the car. The weighted front part constantly strove to take the ZIS-112 into a skid.
After a number of modifications (the base was reduced from 3760 to 3160 mm, total length- from 5920 to 5320 mm, the engine compression ratio was increased from 7.1 to 8.7 units, two more carburetors were added) engine power increased to 192 hp. at 3800 rpm, and the maximum speed is up to 210 km/h. But this did not save the clumsy ZIS. After the 1955 racing season, it was scrapped.
GAZ-torpedo
GAZ-Torpedo, which appeared in the same 1952 as the ZIS-112, was distinguished by higher maneuverability, although it was inferior to the brainchild of the plant. Stalin speed characteristics. Alexey Smolin abandoned serial GAZ-M-20 units, developing them and a new streamlined body with clean slate. New car it turned out to be much easier than Pobeda-Sport with large dimensions (length - 6300 mm, width - 2070 mm, height 1200 mm). Its weight was 1100 kg.
Smolin settled on a forced "Pobedovsky" engine, already tested on the GAZ-SG1, with a volume of 2487 cm³ and a power of 105 hp with a Rutz supercharger, which allowed the car to accelerate to 191 km / h. Two All-Union speed records were set on the GAZ-Torpedo.
"Moskvich-G2"
The record racing car Moskvich-G2 was developed by designers I. Gladilin and I. Okunev and built at the MZMA in 1956. The Moskvich-405 engine developed power up to 75 hp. at 5600 rpm, which allowed the car with a curb weight of 660 kg to reach speeds of over 220 km / h. It set three all-Union records. In fact, "Moskvich-G2" almost did not differ from the previously built "Moskvich-G1", which in 1956 received the same engine and streamlined body, but it is believed that these are different models.
In 1959, the Moskvich-G2 was upgraded to participate in circuit racing, it was equipped with a 70-horsepower Moskvich-407 engine and a roll bar above the driver's seat. In this modification, the car was able to accelerate to 193 km / h. The driver E. Veretov, who drove the Moskvich-G2-407, became the winner in the class of cars up to 2500 cm³ at all-Union races in 1959. After 1960, Moskvich-G2 did not participate in the races.
The car "Yuna" by Yuri Algebraistov is one of the most famous "home-made" cars of the Soviet era. The construction of the car began in 1970, but for the first time Yuna left the garage only in 1982. Yuri's brother Stanislav and the Shcherbinins, who were fond of auto design, took part in the creation of the car.
Some components and assemblies were taken from the design of the GAZ-24 Volga production car, but a lot had to be done by hand. The body was completely independently developed and built: first, the frame was welded, then the base was glued from several layers of fiberglass and reinforcement was made from square pipes.
The car "lives", constantly being subjected to any alterations and improvements. So, recently the engine was replaced by a V6 from a BMW 525i, the body was modified, electric windows and headlights were installed, and devices from various foreign cars were installed. "Yuna" is still on the move and has covered more than half a million kilometers, taking part in many motor races and even acting in films ("Tests", Ukrtelefilm, 1987).
"Pangolin"
A striking example of Soviet "homemade" is the car "Pangolin" by Alexander Kulygin, which was released in 1980. The body was glued out of fiberglass according to a plywood master model, and upon completion of the work, all matrices were destroyed, excluding the possibility of a second copy of the Pangolin.
The engine of a car built on the basis of the VAZ "classic" was located almost in the cabin, right behind the dashboard: the body shape, more reminiscent of a Lamborghini Countach or DeLorean, than masterpieces domestic auto industry, did not assume the front placement of the engine.
The original cap, which unites the doors and part of the roof, was driven by two pneumatic cylinders (a malfunction of this system once led to the fact that Kulygin could not leave the car on his own - unlike the Lamborghini doors, the Pangolin cap is not balanced). In the 90s, the body was modified (part of the roof was removed, additional beams were welded under the bottom) and repainted.
Despite the fact that the engine and other units were taken from VAZ production cars, Pangolin due to its light body and reduced aerodynamic drag surpassed them in speed characteristics, reaching speeds of up to 180 km / h. For the sake of obtaining license plates and permission to travel abroad, Kulygin had to make a number of compromises by changing the design of the car. In the 90s, the designer emigrated to the United States, and in 2004 he tragically died in an accident.
A homemade car built in the early 1980s by two enthusiasts - Dmitry Parfenov and Gennady Khainov - was, without exaggeration, a miracle of technology for its time. Despite the fact that some units were taken from production cars (VAZ-2105 engine, ZAZ-968 transmission), most of the Laura units were manufactured by the car's creators on their own. "Laura", the design of which began in 1982, was distinguished from the cars of those years by front-wheel drive (the first serial front-wheel drive Soviet car VAZ-2108 appeared only two years later). All instruments in the cabin were electronic. These devices (including on-board computer) Parfenov and Khainov were also assembled on their own, using more than three dozen microcircuits.
In total, two five-seater Laura cars were built. Their curb weight was 1000 kg, fuel consumption at a speed of 120 km / h - 7.8 l / 100 km, top speed- 165 km / h.
The work of Gennady Khainov and Dmitry Parfenov, who built the Laura car, did not go unnoticed, and they were offered to lead the project to create prototypes of future cars - the Leningrad Laboratory for Advanced Modeling of Passenger Cars by NAMI. The first work in the "official" status was "Okhta" - a car that was supposed to be based on the VAZ-21083, but at the same time accommodate a large number of passengers, have good aerodynamic characteristics and be no larger than the Zhiguli in size.
Salon-"transformer" easily turned into a sleeping or dining area (the front seats turned 180 °, and the middle row was transformed into a table), "Okhta" could become a two-seat van or a seven-seat minivan.
Many of the solutions demonstrated at Okhta subsequently appeared on production cars - alas, foreign ones.
Okhta, which traveled around the world's car dealerships, once could not return: in the 90s, customs officers did not allow a car that was not registered in its homeland to pass without a duty. The customs warehouse is not the best place for a car, and a few years later Parfyonov managed to get it back in a very shabby condition. To date, little has remained of Okhta, and its restoration is a big question.
The Moskvich-2144 Istra concept was developed in 1985-1988. in the Department of Design and Experimental Works AZLK.
It was assumed that the body of the car, the layout of which was tested in a wind tunnel to achieve the best aerodynamic characteristics, would include duralumin panels and wide doors that open upwards. Electronic systems had to adjust the clearance air suspension and diagnose problems, displaying not only warnings, but also recommendations for troubleshooting. The car was provided with a three-cylinder multi-fuel turbocharged diesel engine with a continuously variable transmission.
The experimental small car NAMI-050 "Squirrel" was developed by NAMI together with the Irbit Motorcycle Plant. A two-cylinder engine with a volume of only 746 cm³ was supposed to provide fuel consumption of 5 l / 100 km. At the same time, Belka was designed to transport 4 people. The car was distinguished by an unusual layout: the front part of the body, together with the windshield, leaned back on hinges, providing access to the front seats, and the rear could be accessed through a single side door.
"Squirrel", the curb weight of which was 640 kg, could accelerate to 80 km / h. A lighter open prototype was also made (without doors and with an awning). In 1957, the Council of Ministers of the USSR considered the issue of serial production of the Belka, but the choice was made in favor of the future ZAZ-965, the design of which was based on technical solutions tested on Fiat 600.
VNIITE-PT
The main idea of the VNIITE-PT project (All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Technical Aesthetics Perspective Taxi) is the need to develop a special car for a taxi service that would be safe, roomy, convenient and maneuverable. The concept was built using Moskvich car units and was successfully tested on Moscow streets, but never went into production.
Passengers (up to 4 people) got inside the "promising taxi" through a wide electric sliding door, the driver's seat was placed almost in the center between the front wheel arches (with a slight offset to the left), which provided him good review and freedom of movement. The platform with the car control pedals could change its position relative to the driver's seat. It is also worth noting the non-standard location of the Moskvich-408 engine with a volume of 1358 cm³ and a power of 50 hp. With. - transverse, in the rear of the body.
Copying foreign cars began with the very first Soviet passenger cars produced under license from Ford. Over time, copying took place most often without the permission of Western car factories. The Research Automobile Institute of the USSR purchased several advanced models "for study" from the capitalist oppressors of the working people at once, and a few years later the Soviet analogue rolled off the assembly lines. True, often by that time the prototype was already outdated and out of production, and the Soviet copy was produced for more than a decade.
GAS A
First mass a car The USSR was borrowed from the American auto industry. GAZ A is a licensed copy of the American Ford-A. The USSR bought equipment and documents for production from an American company in 1929, and two years later the Ford-A was discontinued. A year later, in 1932, the first GAZ-A cars were produced.
Despite the fact that the first cars of the plant were manufactured according to the drawings of the American Ford, they were already somewhat different from the American prototypes. After 1936, the operation of the obsolete GAZ-A was prohibited in Moscow and Leningrad. Small car owners were ordered to hand over the GAZ-A to the state and purchase a new GAZ-M1 with an additional payment.
Leningrad-1
The Soviet experimental passenger car was an almost exact copy of the Buick-32-90, which by American standards belonged to the upper-middle class.
The Krasny Putilovets plant, which previously produced Fordson tractors, produced 6 copies of the L1 in 1933. A significant part of the cars could not reach Moscow on their own without serious damage. As a result, "Red Putilovets" was reoriented to the production of tractors and tanks, and the completion of the L1 was transferred to the Moscow ZiS.
Since the Buick body no longer corresponded to the fashion of the mid-thirties, it was redesigned at ZiS. Based on Soviet sketches, the American body shop Budd Company designed an elegant and outwardly modern body for those years. It cost the state half a million dollars and took 16 months.
GAZ-M-1
GAZ-M1, in turn, was designed according to samples Ford Model B (Model 40A) 1934, the documentation for which was transferred to GAZ by the American side under the terms of the contract.
In the course of adapting the model to domestic operating conditions, the car was largely redesigned by Soviet specialists. Emka surpassed later Ford products in some positions.
KIM-10
The first Soviet serial subcompact car, based on the development of the British Ford Prefect.
In the USA, stamps were made and body drawings were developed according to the models of a Soviet designer. In 1940, the plant began production of this model. KIM-10 was supposed to be the first truly "folk" Soviet car However, the Great Patriotic War prevented the implementation of the ambitious plan of the country's leadership to provide the majority of citizens with personal cars.
ZIS-110
The body design of the first Soviet post-war luxury car almost completely imitated the American Packards of the older pre-war production series. Down to the smallest detail, the ZIS-110 was similar to the Packard 180 with the Touring Sedan body of the last pre-war model of 1942.
An independent Soviet development was specially betrayed by the appearance of the American Packard in accordance with the taste preferences of the country's top leadership and, mainly, Stalin personally.
It is unlikely that the American company liked such a creative development of its ideas in the design of the Soviet car, but there were no complaints from its side in those years, especially since the production of large Packards was not resumed after the war.
Moskvich 400
The Soviet small car was a complete analogue of the Opel Kadett K38 car, produced in 1937-1940 in Germany at the German branch Opel american concern General Motors, recreated after the war on the basis of surviving copies, documentation and equipment.
Part of the equipment for the production of the car was removed from the Opel plant in Rüsselheim (located in the American occupation zone) and assembled in the USSR. A significant part of the lost documentation and equipment for production was recreated, and the work was carried out in Germany by order of the Soviet military administration by mixed labor teams, consisting of seconded Soviet and civilian German specialists who worked in the design bureaus created after the war.
The next three generations of "Muscovites" will be lagging behind the production of Opel.
GAZ-M-12
Six-seven-seater passenger car big class with a body "six-window long wheelbase sedan" was developed on the basis of the Buick Super. Serially produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant (Molotov Plant) from 1950 to 1959 (some modifications - until 1960.)
The plant was strongly recommended to completely copy the Buick of the 1948 model, but the engineers, based on the proposed model, designed a car that relies as much as possible on the units and technologies already mastered in production. ZiM was not a copy of any particular foreign car, neither in terms of design, nor, in particular, in technical aspect- in the latter, the plant's designers even managed to some extent "say a new word" within the framework of the global automotive industry. In October 1950, the first industrial batch of GAZ-M-12 was assembled.
GAZ-21 "Volga"
The passenger car of the middle class was technically created by domestic engineers and designers from scratch, but outwardly copied mainly american models early 1950s. During the development, the designs of foreign cars were studied: Ford Mainline, Chevrolet 210, Plymouth Savoy, Standard Vanguard and Opel Kapitän.
GAZ-21 was mass-produced at Gorky car factory from 1956 to 1970. The factory index of the model was originally GAZ-M-21, later (since 1965) - GAZ-21.
By the time mass production began, by world standards, the design of the Volga had already become at least ordinary, and it no longer stood out against the background of serial foreign cars of those years. Already by 1960, the Volga was a car with a hopelessly outdated design.
Moskvich-402
The appearance of a small class passenger car repeated the Opel Olympia Rekord model, the successor to the Opel Kadett K38. The participation of specialists from GAZ, where the development of the Volga GAZ-21 was in full swing, had a strong influence on the designed car. "Moskvich" took over from her many elements of its design.
Serial production of "Moskvich-402" was curtailed in May 1958.
GAZ-13 "Seagull"
Executive passenger car of a large class, created under the clear influence of the latest models of the American company Packard, which in those years were just being studied at US (Packard Caribbean convertible and Packard Patrician sedan, both 1956 model years).
"The Seagull" was created with a clear focus on American style, like all GAZ products of those years, but was not a 100% "stylistic copy" or Packard's modernization. The car was produced in a small series at the Gorky Automobile Plant from 1959 to 1981. A total of 3,189 cars of this model were manufactured.
"Seagulls" were used as a personal transport of the highest nomenclature (mainly ministers, first secretaries of regional committees), which was issued as part of the required "package" of privileges.
Both "Chaika" sedans and convertibles were used in parades, served at meetings of foreign leaders, prominent figures and heroes, and were used as escort vehicles. Also, "Seagulls" came to "Intourist", where, in turn, everyone could order them for use as wedding limousines.
ZIL-111
Copying the American design at various Soviet factories led to the fact that the appearance of the ZIL-111 car was created according to the same patterns as the Chaika. As a result, the country simultaneously produced externally similar cars. ZIL-111 is often mistaken for the more common "Seagull".
The luxury passenger car was stylistically a compilation of various elements american cars the middle and upper class of the first half of the 1950s - mostly reminiscent of Cadillac, Packard and Buick. The basis external design ZIL-111, like the "Seagulls", formed the design of the models of the American company Packard in 1955-56. But compared to the Packard models, the ZiL was larger in all dimensions, looked much stricter and "square", with straightened lines, had a more complex and detailed decor.
From 1959 to 1967, only 112 copies of this car were assembled.
ZAZ-965
The main prototype of the minicar was the Fiat 600.
The car was designed by MZMA ("Moskvich") together with automotive institute US. The first samples received the designation "Moskvich-444", and already differed significantly from the Italian prototype. Later, the designation was changed to "Moskvich-560". Meanwhile, the conveyor of the MZMA itself was fully loaded by that time, and the plant had no reserves for mastering the production of a minicar. Therefore, in order to produce a car, it was decided to reconstruct the Kommunar plant in the city of Zaporozhye (Ukrainian SSR), which was previously engaged in the production of combines and other agricultural machinery.
ZAZ-966
A passenger car of an especially small class demonstrates a considerable similarity in design with the German subcompact NSU Prinz IV (Germany, 1961).
GAZ-24 "Volga"
The middle-class passenger car became a hybrid of the North American Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant.
Serially produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant from 1969 to 1992. The appearance and design of the car were quite standard for this direction, the technical characteristics were also approximately average. Most of the Volga was not intended for sale for personal use and was operated by taxi companies and other government organizations.
VAZ-2101
VAZ-2101 "Zhiguli" - a rear-wheel drive passenger car with a sedan body is an analogue of the Fiat 124 model, which received the title "Car of the Year" in 1967.
By agreement between the Soviet Foreign Trade and Fiat, the Italians created the Volga Automobile Plant in Togliatti with a full production cycle. The concern was entrusted with the technological equipment of the plant, training of specialists.
VAZ-2101 has been subjected to major changes. In total, over 800 changes were made to the design of the Fiat 124, after which it received the name Fiat 124R. "Russification" of the Fiat 124 turned out to be extremely useful for the FIAT company itself, which has accumulated unique information about the reliability of its cars in extreme operating conditions.
VAZ-2103
Rear-wheel drive passenger car with a body type sedan. Was developed in collaboration with by an Italian company Fiat based on the Fiat 124 and Fiat 125 models.
Later, on the basis of the VAZ-2103, the "project 21031" was developed, later renamed the VAZ-2106.
VAZ-2105
The VAZ-2105 model was developed through a major modernization of previously produced models as part of the "second" generation of VAZ rear-wheel drive cars as a replacement for the first-born VAZ-2101. Based on the design Fiat model 128 Berlina.
In the intro for episode 15 of season 17 of The Simpsons, in which the Simpsons are played by real actors in real scenery, Homer is driving home in a Lada Nova (the export name for the five).
Moskvich-2141
A replacement for Moskvich-412 was designed only in the 1980s, and it was already a completely different car - Moskvich-2141, a front-wheel drive hatchback based on the body of the French Simka and the UZAM engine, which was already outdated by that time. Export name - Aleko, from the Automobile Plant of Lenin Komsomol.
As the best prototype for speeding up the design of a new car, the Minavtoprom saw the recently appeared Franco-American model Simca 1308 produced by the European branch of Chrysler Corporation. The designers were ordered to copy the car down to the hardware." However, during the development process, the body of the Moskvich was redesigned, as a result of which the exterior of the car differed significantly from the French model and, albeit with some stretch, corresponded to the level of the mid-eighties.
Hello dear readers, today we will present to your attention best cars THE USSR. As you understand, our TOP will include those cars that were popular among the population of the Soviet Union back in the middle of the 20th century. Perhaps you will meet one of them modern roads countries. The list will be quite large, so I propose to immediately proceed to its consideration.
ZAZ 968
The well-known "Zaporozhets" was quite popular during the Soviet Union. In particular, this applies to the ZAZ 968 model. It was the dream of many. It was produced right up to 1994, but with the advent of more advanced technology, it gradually disappeared into history. Special modifications of this Zaporozhye giant were created, which were specially intended for the disabled. Engine power of 30 liters. With. in those years it was quite enough for trips around the city. In those days, in the first place was not speed, but quality. ZAZ 968 fully met the needs of the inhabitants of the Soviet Union.
Moskvich 412
This is the ninth place in our ranking. Even today you can find this model on the roads of our country. The peak of popularity of the steel horse came in the mid-70s. An engine capacity of 1.5 liters was enough to compete even with foreign brands which were quite rare then. Motor power - 72 liters. With. For the time it was pretty good. Our country in the 70s even exported the model to foreign countries. Moreover, the geography of distribution was quite wide.
VAZ 2107
The famous seven, which has not been published for just a couple of years, is in 8th place in our rating. In the early 80s, this particular brand was one of the most popular. Then she did it conscientiously. Engine power - 74 liters. With. It's just perfect for that time. At the same time, the car was very economical, and consumed only 7 liters of gasoline per 100 km. The design for that time is simply progressive. Today, a used model can be purchased at any car market for an affordable price, but since the 90s, the quality of the brand has deteriorated significantly.
GAZ 12 ZIM
Just luxury car, which was produced in the Soviet Union from 1948 to 1960. During that period, the peak of its popularity falls. Today it can only be found in the collection of rich oligarchs. The engine of the brand worked on the 72nd gasoline. The engine power was enough for the city of that time. This work of art was sometimes used as a taxi.
VAZ 2103
Sixth place goes to the VAZ 2103. A typical Zhiguli, which was developed jointly with the Italian company Fiat. It was produced at the Volga Automobile Plant from 1972 to 1984. Four cylinder engine was able to accelerate to hundreds in 16 seconds. Its power was 77 liters. With. Today, cars can be found on the streets of our country, but every year there are fewer and fewer representatives of this family.
VAZ 2108
The top five is opened by the VAZ 2108, which in the mid-80s made a revolutionary revolution in terms of design. Soviet stamps began to have after that a very respectable appearance. Years of release - 1984-2003. The standard engine had a power of 64 hp. With. At the same time, it allowed to accelerate to a speed of 100 km / h in 15 s. A very economical brand that consumed only 5.4 l / 100 km.
GAZ 2410
Our beloved Volga is on the 4th position of our list. It was produced for a relatively short time, only 7 years, starting in 1985 and ending in 1992. The 2.5 liter engine had a power of 100 hp. With. For that time, very good indicators. At the same time, a person bought at his disposal a fairly roomy steel horse. There is even a limousine.
Volga 21
The Volga 21 opens the top three. It was produced from 1955 to 1970. The iron horse was produced in several modifications at once. At the same time, it was accessible to the middle class of the population of the Soviet Union. Perhaps that is why it became popular. The 2.5-liter engine had a power of 75 hp. With. Today, a car can be found on the roads of the country, but this happens less and less. The model cannot be called economical. It consumes in mixed mode 15 l / 100 km.
VAZ 2101
The penny is in the second position. This is by far the most popular brand that has been produced for quite some time. Official figures speak of 18 years of fruitful work of AvtoVAZ engineers. The 1.2 liter engine had a power of 62 hp. With. Even today you can meet this classic representative of the VAZ on the roads of our country. This indicates the quality of production that existed in the middle of the 20th century at the plant. The brand accelerates rather slowly. Up to a hundred will have to accelerate it in about 20 s. With all this, its efficiency and reliability allows it to be located on the 2nd place in the hit parade.
GAZ 13 "Seagull"
It is this model that becomes the leader, and is rightfully considered the best of those that were produced in the USSR. From 1959 to 1981, she simply had no equal in terms of elegance. It was mostly ridden simple people, and representatives of high ranks, emphasizing their status. The engine displacement was 5.5 liters. At the same time, its power was 195 hp. With. A real monster of the time. He had 8 cylinders and 16 valves, which for that time was an undeniable progress. Few foreign cars could compare with the GAZ 13 in terms of performance.
Finally
At the end of 1960, the Zaporozhye plant "Kommunar" produced the first series of cars "Zaporozhets". The dream of a "people's car" has become a reality. The Soviet automobile industry fulfilled the dreams of both a peasant car and a car for the party elite.
Zaporozhets
Since the mid-1950s, people's requests for a compact, inexpensive "people's" car have become more and more widespread. The task of creating one was set by the state economic planning authorities for development in the period 1959-1965. It was decided to take the Fiat 600 as the basis for the future car. It must be said that the “humpback” was not a blind copy of the Italian small car. Many structural units have undergone significant changes. ZAZ 965 became a real "people's car", "starred" in such films as "Three plus two", "Queen of the gas station" and many others. A “humpback” appeared even in the cartoons “Just you wait” and “Vacation in Prostokvashino”.
The Ukrainian auto industry, having experimented on the “humpbacked” Zaporozhets, which was a replica of the six hundredth Fiat, released a new model during the years of Brezhnev’s rule, almost a full-fledged, but very compact sedan, in the exterior similar to the Chevrolet Corvairs. Distinctive feature the car became large air intakes, which the people immediately dubbed ears, from which ZAZ 966 got its nickname. In later models, the "ears" were cropped, but the nickname remained. "Eared" was the first car of Vladimir Putin, a 19-year-old law student won his first car in the DOSAAF lottery.
ZIL-111
"Catching up and overtaking America" was the main goal in the development of Soviet industry in the 1950-60s. This trend also affected the domestic auto industry, especially its representative segment. The first secretary of the CPSU, Nikita Khrushchev, wanted the same car as american president, only better. By the end of the 50s, the “Stalinist” ZIS-110, which had served faithfully for 13 years, became obsolete and ceased to suit immediately for several reasons. Firstly, it did not outwardly correspond to the trends in the development of auto design, and secondly, the ZIS-110 was not a piece, it was produced on an assembly line and filled taxi fleets. It is clear that the head of the Soviet Union could not drive the same car with mere mortals. An order was given for the production of a new executive car; the result of this order was the ZIL-111. Suspiciously similar to the American Cadillac, the Zil-111 combines all the best that the automotive industry could give: an automatic transmission with push-button controls, power windows, a V-shaped eight-cylinder engine, power steering, a four-headlight lighting system and a representative seven-seater saloon. During the production of the model, only 112 cars were produced. An interesting fact: when the production of executive cars "Huntsy" began in China, the design of the ZIL-111 was taken as the basis.
"Gull"
The most beautiful car of the Soviet Union, the "Seagull" was the most massive Soviet executive car. In terms of its external appearance, the car was a compilation of design solutions from the American automobile industry, the so-called fin style, or “Detroit Baroque”. "The Seagull" can be attributed to the centenarians of the Soviet automobile industry: cars were produced from 1959 to 1981. The heads of ministries and departments, the first secretaries of the republican communist parties, the ambassadors of the USSR abroad traveled on the "Seagulls". In addition, several special modifications of the car were produced: filming, semi-phaetons, the case of the production of a railway railcar based on the GAZ-13 is also known.
Immediately after the start of production of "Seagulls", a "hunt" began for them - an elegant, comfortable car seduced party functionaries, but the obsolete ZiM remained the main member carrier. A way out of the situation was found: at one of the defense plants, the front and rear end from Zim. In practice, a camouflaged car of a high level of comfort was obtained, popularly nicknamed "Oslobyk". "Gull" for a long time was inaccessible to the mass buyer, after two overhauls it was supposed to be disposed of. Only in the 70s, Brezhnev allowed to make money on the "Seagulls": the cars began to be widely used by registry offices, served by Intourist, diplomatic missions of foreign countries, ministers, military parades, Soviet ambassadors abroad and stars visiting the USSR.
"Volga"
Volga should be black. The black 24th Volga was a symbol of an entire era, which is not surprising - the car was produced from 1970 to 1992. This car was an indicator of well-being and cherished dream every Soviet citizen. The mass sale of the Volga to private hands, however, was never envisaged: most of the cars went for distribution to government agencies, in taxi companies and for export. Only very wealthy people could afford the Volga, in comparison with the “popular” Moskvich and Zhiguli, nomenclature cars were very expensive. "Volga" was produced in several modifications, the most common was, of course, a sedan. There were fewer station wagons, and almost all of them went to the needs of the national economy, so for a long time they could be bought either in Beryozka chain stores for checks, or received on an individual order.
VAZ 2101 ("Penny")
VAZ 2101, "Kopeyka" - a legendary car, the most popular car in the USSR. The Italian Fiat 124 was taken as the prototype of the first Zhiguli model. True, the Italian was significantly improved, more than 800 changes were made to the Fiat design.
"One", as the people at first lovingly called the VAZ 2101, was a revolutionary car for Soviet motorists. The level of execution and assembly of cars was at a very high level. Suffice it to say that many of the changes made by Soviet designers were used later in the production of cars in Italy. "Kopeyka" was a favorite car not only in the Soviet Union, but also in the countries of the socialist bloc. In Cuba, to this day, "penny limousines" are used as fixed-route taxis. In 2000, according to the results of a survey of almost 80 thousand motorists from Russia and the CIS countries, conducted by the magazine Za Rulem, the VAZ 2101 was recognized as the “best Russian car century."
VAZ-2108 ("Chisel")
"Eight" was the first front-wheel drive Soviet car. For domestic automotive industry it was a revolutionary model. Before that, all Zhiguli models were exclusively rear-wheel drive. Some components and assemblies of the VAZ-2108 were developed jointly with Western companies Porsche and UTS. The amount of the contract between the Ministry of Automotive Industry and by Porsche unknown. However, it is rumored that sharpening the "chisel" allowed the company to build a full-size wind tunnel to replace the wretched climate chamber. For its unusual shape, the “eight” was immediately dubbed the “chisel” by the people, however, despite the nickname, the car “took root”. The "eight" (and later the "nine") deserved special popularity during the years of perestroika among representatives of the underworld. frisky front wheel drive cars with "predatory" outlines - perfect car"brothers".
VAZ 2121 "Niva"
task to do all-wheel drive vehicle"Zhiguli" put before the "VAZ" Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR Alexei Kosygin. The task was not easy, but they did it even better than well. Niva became the world's first small SUV. In fact, it was with the Niva that the era of crossovers began. In addition, the Niva was the first car with permanent all-wheel drive. decision on permanent all-wheel drive was adopted by the designers because of the economy, in order to reduce the load on the transmission: when assembling the first Soviet jeep, parts from passenger cars Zhiguli were used. "Niva" became a very successful model and enjoyed well-deserved love not only in the USSR, but abroad. The export versions of the Niva were thoroughly tuned, the price for them abroad was comparable to the price of the Mercedes, the demand was no less. "Niva" was successfully sold in more than 100 countries of the world, it was assembled in six countries: in Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Panama, Greece, Canada. In many countries there are still Niva clubs, and in England Niva fans even publish their own magazine.
