82 years ago, the first serial "lorry" came off the assembly line of the Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant - famous car GAZ-AA, which for several decades became the real "king" of Soviet roads. By this date, "RG" remembered 7 legendary models trucks, which the domestic auto industry was rightly proud of.
History of creation."Automobile Moscow Society", established in 1916, began its activities with the assembly of the Italian "one and a half" FIAT 15 Ter. Shortly after the October Revolution, the plant was nationalized, and then reoriented to the production of AMO-F-15 cars - the first Soviet trucks. However, they outwardly differed little from the "FIATs", although the "stuffing" was largely domestic. Absolutely soviet car became only in 1933, changing its name to AMO-3. And it was this model that was later taken as the basis for the production of the popular ZIS-5 trucks.
Peculiarities. The car was created on the basis of Italian trucks and many components for a long time were imported. In the engine ignition system, for example, the mechanisms of the Bosch company, already well known at that time, were used; in the electrical system, Scintilla parts were used.
By the way. Despite the noble European origin of the machine proved to be inconvenient to use. driver's seat was located right of center and too close to the steering wheel, so that the drivers experienced discomfort, almost resting their feet on the steering wheel. In addition, to the feet due to design features cold air came in, which was especially felt in winter.
History of creation."Lutorki" became the first cars that were created at the Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky) Automobile Plant, opened on January 1, 1932. On the gigantic by the standards of the young Soviet republic NAZ, which by the end of 1932 had turned into a more familiar GAZ, the authorities made a serious bet, but they decided to start production with "cloning" american truck Ford-AA. However, the agreement with the Ford empire allowed Soviet engineers some "liberties", and they partially changed the steering gear and clutch housing, and side body and completely made it unique. Since 1933, GAZ began to make do with only domestic components, and after that the gradual improvement of the car began. In total, up to October 1949, over 820 thousand of them were released. Thus, GAZ-AA is considered the most massive Soviet truck in the first half of the 20th century.
Peculiarities. Experts say that the GAZ-AA was a completely modern car, while it could drive on almost any fuel, even tractor naphtha. Although the "lorries" got their nickname for their carrying capacity of one and a half tons, working on large Soviet construction sites, they had to transport much more - up to thirty centners.
By the way. Due to the constantly failing starter with battery, drivers, as a rule, started GAZ-AA engine special crank, "crooked starter". However, this turned out to be not only a disadvantage, but also an advantage of the "one and a half" - any frosts were nothing to her. This helped especially during the years of the Great Patriotic War, when "gaziki" were valued higher than captured foreign cars.
History of creation. Prototypes of the new GAZ 51st modification were presented to members of the Soviet government in May 1945 (the car was created back in 1937, but launched mass production did not have time before the war). After the Victory, the country needed new trucks. "Lorries" honorably fulfilled their military mission, but more were needed to restore the economy. powerful machines. The previously developed model came to court - and after a while they began to make it even in Poland, China and the DPRK. Until 1975, almost 3.5 million of these trucks hit the roads. But still main model Gorky Automobile Plant in the second half of the 20th century became GAZ-52 and GAZ-53, which were easy to confuse with each other because of the same cab. They began to be assembled back in the 60s, and the last 53rd, although already modified, rolled off the assembly line in 1993.
Peculiarities. GAZ-52 was able to carry cargo weighing up to 2.5 tons, and its older "brother" - up to three, and later up to four tons, when the front axle of the car was strengthened and replaced cardan transmission. Meanwhile, an eight-cylinder engine with a capacity of 115 Horse power allowed the truck to accelerate to 85 kilometers per hour.
By the way. Gorky engineers managed to create a machine that worked equally well in hot Laos and in snowy Finland, where 53rd GAZs were willingly purchased. No wonder this particular truck became the hero of the development of virgin lands in Kazakhstan and the corn projects of the then General Secretary of the Communist Party Nikita Khrushchev.
History of creation. The famous 130th ZIL replaced the morally and technically obsolete 164th model. The first car at the capital's automobile plant was assembled in December 1956, the last - in 1994. During this time, the car has firmly won domestic market bonnet trucks, being considered the "calling card" of ZIL. The class of the car was also recognized by international experts: for example, in 1963, the new model was presented at the International Fair in Leipzig and received gold medal, and in 1971 she was awarded the State "Quality Mark".
Peculiarities. ZIL-130 for several years, as they say, brought to mind. Engineers assembled almost four dozen prototypes, repeatedly tried to optimize the power unit, tested about 70 engines and about 100 gearboxes. Of course, such a thorough approach made it possible to create a car that for three decades was quite competitive even by world standards. In the 130th, there were amazing for those times the power steering and the pre-heater of the engine. Eight-cylinder V-shaped overhead valve carbureted engine with a capacity of 150 horsepower allowed the car to reach speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour. In addition, the ZIL-130 became the first truck in the USSR with a carrying capacity of 6 tons.
By the way. A version is spread on the Internet, according to which the drawing of the ZIL-130 car Soviet Union received from Japan as a reparation. Apparently, this bike became an element of the advertising campaign of the capital's plant, although the design of the car was indeed innovative for the USSR (which is worth only the alligator-type hood) and strongly resembled American bonneted trucks of the 50s of the last century.
History of creation. The "five hundredth" MAZ in the 60s of the last century made about the same impression on the roads as the five hundredth "Mercedes" in the 90s. It was the first Soviet cabover truck. It remains to be surprised at the persistence of the designers and engineers of the Minsk Automobile Plant, who were able to prove to officials the need to hide the diesel engine under the cab. The decision turned out to be correct - it became easier for the driver to control such a machine and perform the necessary manipulations with the motor, and the body became more spacious. As a result, the carrying capacity of MAZs increased from 4.2 tons, as it was in the bonneted 200 model, to 6 tons, and then to 7.5. Note that the first prototypes of new machines were made in 1958, and serial ones - only in 1965.
Peculiarities. MAZ-500 in the 1960s was to a certain extent unique machine. Not only did it use a new structural diagram the location of the engine, and the motor itself was installed unusual. The modern YaMZ-236 diesel engine seemed simply silent compared to the previous one. two-stroke motor, which caused a lot of inconvenience with its roar. In addition, the "five hundredth" received a power steering, telescopic shock absorbers and even the so-called planetary gearboxes in the rear wheel hubs.
By the way. One of the most difficult tasks for MAZ designers was to reduce the "vibration load" driver's seat, which was located exactly above the left front wheel. Both engineers and testers were tormented with this question, who literally had to "shake" all day, winding hundreds of kilometers around the test site. Before the start of the serial production of the "five hundredths", the necessary suspension elements seemed to have been found, but the designers decided to continue the optimization. All the shortcomings in the operation of the suspensions were eliminated only after a German vibration stand was purchased at the Minsk Automobile Plant.
History of creation. The Kama Automobile Plant is perhaps the only large enterprise in the industry that has never produced bonneted trucks. The very first model of a huge production, opened in Tatarstan in 1969, was a car of a modern layout - with a cab located above the engine. It should be noted that until 1980, at KamAZ, they worked according to the drawings created, in particular, at ZIL, where they did not launch for a long time own production cabover trucks. Knowing the tenacity with which the Likhachev Plant approached improving the quality of cars, it is not surprising that the KamAZ-5320, created, in fact, like the ZIL-170 back in the late 1960s, was recognized as one of best cars XX century in its class. In Naberezhnye Chelny - after many years of refinement - the conveyor with these trucks was launched only in 1976, and the last 5320 left it only in 2000.
Peculiarities. The very first KamAZ trucks were literally crammed with equipment unique for the Soviet automotive industry. Take only a 5-speed gearbox with extra box- divider, active-reactive muffler, nitrided crankshaft and the presence of four brake systems at once (working, parking, auxiliary and spare), and a clutch pedal pneumatic booster was added to the power steering already familiar from the ZIL-130. Note that KamAZ-5320 had a record load capacity of 8 tons at that time.
By the way. The transfer of the first five KamAZ trucks in February 1976 from Naberezhnye Chelny to Moscow was a real test for the factory workers and their brand new, not yet run-in cars. On the way, one of the cars had a casting defect, due to which all the antifreeze leaked out of the tank. Resourceful drivers plugged the hole with a knot, and instead of antifreeze, they poured water - and set off on a further journey. And yet, one of the cars did not reach Red Square - the clutch lever failed. However, this rally only helped KAMAZ engineers to identify weak spots new products.
BelAZ-540 (7522)
History of creation. The BelAZ-540 mining dump truck was developed at a plant in the Belarusian city of Zhodino in just a year - the Soviet industry urgently demanded to replace the 525th model, which was outdated in many respects. In 1961, a prototype appeared, and in 1965, after some refinement, the mighty truck left the assembly line and literally went to the quarry. It should be noted that the Belarusian giants came to court in many countries of the world, including not only Eastern Europe, but also China, Argentina, Pakistan.
Peculiarities. The carrying capacity of the car was unimaginable at that time 27 tons, while the car itself weighed almost 21 tons. Surprisingly, with these parameters, BelAZ could accelerate to 55 kilometers per hour thanks to a V-shaped four-stroke 12-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 360 horsepower. The steering wheel with a screw rather than a ball mechanism, and a hydromechanical transmission helped the driver to manage such a colossus.
By the way. The huge BelAZ-540 seems very tiny against the background latest development Zhodino machine builders with an index of 75710. This machine is capable of transporting 450 tons of cargo at a time, while its gross weight with a load will be 810 tons. BelAZ-75710 is recognized as the most big truck in the world.
History of Belarusian car factory(BelAZ) begins in September 1958, in the village of Zhodino on the outskirts of the city of Minsk on the basis of a plant for reclamation and road cars, built back in 1947. Its specialization was heavy mining dump trucks with an all-metal body and rear unloading. The pioneer in the production of mining dump trucks in the USSR was the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), where in 1950, under the leadership of chief designer B.L. Shaposhnik, the first domestic 25-ton dump truck MAZ-525 was created, and in 1957 - a 3-axle version of the MAZ-530 (6 × 4) with a carrying capacity of 40 tons. MAZ-525 became the first vehicle that was assembled at the Belarusian Automobile Plant November 6, 1958
The production of the MAZ-530 was also transferred there. These dump trucks had a 12-cylinder V-shaped diesel D-12A with a capacity of 300 and 450 hp, planetary wheel reduction gears and tires with landing diameter 32 inches. In September 1961, the first 27-ton BelAZ-540 dump truck was assembled at BelAZ gross weight 48 tons. Produced since September 1965, it was equipped with a D-12A V12 diesel engine (38.8 liters, 375 hp), automatic hydromechanical 3-x step box gears, wheeled planetary gears, power steering, 25-inch tires.
For the first time in the country, a hydropneumatic suspension and a combined hydraulic system were used on it. Since 1967, a modernized version of BelAZ-540A has been produced with a new V12 diesel engine of the YaMZ-240 model (22.3 liters, 360 hp). dump truck had wheelbase 3550 mm., developed a maximum speed of 55 km / h. This car was the first in the USSR to be awarded an honorary quality mark in those days and corresponded to the world level. Since 1972, the so-called northern and tropical (export) versions have been produced - respectively “540C” and “540T”.
The 540V truck tractor worked as part of a 45-ton dump truck. At the same time, the plant offered a dump truck-coal carrier "7510", in which the geometric capacity of the body was increased from 15 to 19 m 3 . In 1967, a 2-axle 40-ton BelAZ-548A dump truck with a gross weight of 69 tons and a wheelbase of 4200 mm became the basis of the second, heavier family. and a body with a capacity of 21 m 3. It used a turbocharged YaMZ-240N diesel engine with a power of 500 hp. The car was equipped with giant wheels for that time with tires measuring 21.00-33.
In all other respects, its design repeated the previous “540” family. In 1972, this dump truck began to be assembled in the northern version “548C”, as a coal carrier “7525” with a 27 cubic meters body and a truck tractor “548V” for working with dump semi-trailers with a carrying capacity of 65 tons. A diesel-electric road train with 4 traction motor-wheels with a power of 800 kW. Since 1968, using the units of these dump trucks, a 1-axle BelAZ-531 tractor was produced for towing a scraper or earth-carrying cart, the gross weight of which reached 60 tons.
The development of this direction later became low and short-base airfield tractors for towing large airliners with a take-off weight of up to 210 tons. The plant offered three models “6411”, “7421” (1978), “74211” (1988) with diesel engines power 375-525 hp, hydromechanical transmissions and suspensions, front and rear lifting cabins. In the 60s. the implementation of a program for the creation of dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 110 tons or more began on the basis of fundamentally different constructive solutions, which primarily included electric transmission.
Car engine powered generator direct current, which supplied electric power to the traction motors built into the rear wheel hubs, called the “motor-wheel”. The first in December 1968, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Byelorussian SSR, was built an experimental 75-ton BelAZ-549 dump truck with a wheelbase of 4450 mm, a V8 diesel engine (58.2 liters, 950-1000 hp). ), an electric generator of 500 kW., motor-wheels with a power of 230 kW. each, independent hydropneumatic wheel suspension, separate hydraulic front and rear brakes, tires size 27.00-49. The body capacity was 38-40 m 3, the total weight of the dump truck was 142 tons, the maximum speed was 60 km / h.
Produced since 1976, the “549” series included the “549E” models with a V12 engine (43.7 l., 1050 hp) with a turbocharger and an electric generator of 630 kW., “549B” and “549V” with V6 diesel engines ( 900 hp) or V8 (1100 hp), as well as northern version"549C". As part of the experimental work in 1969, a BelAZ-549V truck tractor was built with a gas turbine power unit with a capacity of 1200 hp, towing a 120-ton semi-trailer. Its development in 1976 was the BelAZ-7420 truck tractor for the BelAZ-9590 single-axle semi-trailer with a carrying capacity of 120 tons.
It was equipped with a turbocharged V8 diesel engine (58 hp, 1300 hp) and an 800 kW electric generator, and the semi-trailer also had a wheel motor. With a gross weight of 222 tons, the road train developed a speed of 50 km / h, consuming 600 g of fuel per 100 km. In the 80s. the series “540” was replaced by a 30-ton version of the BelAZ-7522 with more economical engine 360 hp, new transmission with increased torque converter efficiency, an upgraded brake system and an updated radiator lining. The coal carrier variant received the index “7526”.
Since 1981, the 30-ton "75401" and "7540" were also produced for the removal of rock from deep quarries, equipped with a 445-horsepower YaMZ-240PL2 turbocharged diesel engine. The upgraded version “548” with a carrying capacity of 42 tons received the designation BelAZ-7523, and its coal-carrying version - “7527”. The successor of the “549” series was the 80-ton “7509” with rear disc brakes. In 1981, this series was developed in the design of a 110-ton dump truck “7519” with a wheelbase of 5300 mm. and a gross weight of 195 tons ..
It was equipped with a 1300 hp V8 diesel engine, a 630 kW generator. and four traction motor-wheels of 360 kW each. each. The “75191” variant received a V6 engine (1100 hp). Front and rear drum brakes had an independent hydraulic drive. This giant, 5 m wide and over 6 m high, had a body with a capacity of 44 m 3, tires sized 33.00-51, developed a maximum speed of 60 km / h and consumed 420 liters. fuel per 100 km. A year later, “7521” appeared with a carrying capacity of 180 tons (gross weight 330 tons) - one of the largest and powerful cars of his time.
It used a turbocharged V12 diesel engine (87.2 liters, 2300 hp) and a maximum torque of 11860 Nm .. The car was equipped with an electric transmission, which included a 1250 kW DC generator. and motor-wheels of 560 kW .. Disc brakes had pneumatic booster. The cabin was made 2-seater, all-metal body with a capacity of 70 m 3 was equipped with heating. Installed tires size 40.00-57. With a wheelbase of 6650 mm. overall dimensions were 13500x6050x7700 mm.
The dump truck developed a speed of 50 km / h, and average consumption fuel was 600 l. per 100 km. By the end of the 80s. BelAZ has become the world's largest manufacturer of mining dump trucks, producing 5-5.5 thousand of such vehicles annually. This is the only factory in the world where most of these cars are assembled on an assembly line. At the turn of the 80-90s. BelAZ slowed down the pace of its development, continuing to produce slightly modernized versions of the previous basic series.
The program was based on the models “7540”, “7548”, “7549”, “7512” and “75214” with a carrying capacity of 30, 42, 80, 120 and 180 tons, respectively, and their coal-fueled versions with engines ranging from 420 to 2300 hp . The first car of a new generation appeared in 1995. It was a 55-ton BelAZ-7555, for which they offered a choice of YaMZ, MTU (MTU) or Cummins diesel engines with a capacity of 525-730 hp, hydromechanical box gear own production or American "Allison" (Allison), hydropneumatic wheel suspension with 35-inch tires.
In subsequent years, the plant continued to expand a new family of heavy vehicles that retained the traditional electric transmission. During this difficult time, an updated range of unified dump trucks with a payload capacity of 120-140 tons appeared. It was based on dump trucks “75121” and “75131” with V8 and V16 diesel engines with a power of 1200-1600 hp. and alternating current generators with converters and DC traction motors. This range was continued by the 200-ton model “75303” with a 2300 hp diesel engine.
The highest achievement of BelAZ and one of the world's largest diesel-electric dump trucks was the 280-ton BelAZ-75501 with a gross weight of 480 tons, built in 1992 jointly with Japanese company"Komatsu" (Komatsu). For the first time in the practice of the plant, an articulated frame, front dual wheels and disc brakes on all wheels, video cameras instead of rear-view mirrors. The turbocharged V12 diesel engine of the Kolomna Plant (165.6 liters, 3150 hp) is moved outside the wheelbase, placed transversely in front and drives an alternator that supplies electricity to all four motor-wheels. Max Speed giant machine- 40 km / h.
In 1995, economic reforms forced BelAZ to drastically change its main line and start assembling Polish 1.2-ton Lublin delivery trucks. To expand its program, BelAZ continues to develop and produce new technology 7542 container carriers, 5840 truck crane chassis, 7920 in-plant conveyors for transporting ladles with molten metal, 7921 and 7924 low loader 140-ton conveyors for metallurgical enterprises, 7648 watering trucks. In the late 90s, BelAZ annually produced 850-1100 dump trucks and chassis.
©. Photos taken from publicly available sources.
January 29, 1932 on Gorky Automobile Plant the first truck GAZ-AA, the legendary "one and a half", rolled off the assembly line. He became one of the first legendary Soviet trucks that our country can be proud of. Many of these cars are still driving on the streets of Russia.
AMO-F-15 - the first Soviet truck
The first Soviet truck appeared in 1922. Then for the first time the small and angular AMO-F-15, created on the basis of the Italian cargo car FIAT 15 Ter, which was produced at the AMO plant (the current ZIL) in 1917-1919. But at the same time, the design was noticeably changed by local engineers.
The first ten copies of the AMO-F-15 took part in a demonstration on Red Square, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Revolution. And three of them a few days later were sent to a test rally along Russian off-road. Trucks during this long race showed themselves from the best side, so the plant began their mass production. In total, in the period from 1924 to 1931, 6285 copies of the AMO rolled off the assembly line.
AMO-F-15 is the first Soviet truck. Photo source: truck-auto.info
GAZ-AA - the legendary "one and a half"
This car got its nickname "lorry" (and also "polundra") due to the load capacity of 1.5 tons, for which this truck was designed. Initially, GAZ-AA was created on the basis of the Ford Model AA car, but then it was modernized several times, eventually becoming an independent vehicle.
GAZ-AA - the legendary "one and a half". Photo source: alternathistory.org.ua
GAZ-AA was produced from 1932 to 1950, eventually becoming one of the most massive trucks in the history of the USSR (985 thousand copies). The finest hour of the "lorry" fell on the times of the Second World War - this unpretentious, simple, but reliable truck became the main "horse" of the Red Army. Including, and during the breakthrough of the Siege of Leningrad, when relatively light "gaziki" in large quantities they carried food to the besieged city on the ice of Lake Ladoga.
GAZ-AA - the legendary "one and a half". Photo source: denisovets.ru
ZiS-5 - three-ton
Another legendary participant in the Great Patriotic War was the ZiS-5 truck (aka "three-ton", aka "Zakhar", aka "Zakhar Ivanovich").
ZiS-5 - three-ton. Photo source: chenado.net
Serial production of the ZiS-5 began in 1933. In fact, this truck became the heir to AMO-3. It was assembled entirely from domestic components, and during the war its design was simplified as much as possible - in harsh years, quantity was more important than quality. By the way, the legendary Katyusha was also created on the basis of this truck, albeit a slightly modernized one (officially called the ZiS-6).
ZiS-5 - three-ton. Photo source: maxpark.com
GAZ-51 - a truck for virgin soil
The first copy of the GAZ-51 truck was created and shown to the public back in 1940, but the war prevented its mass production. So serial production began only in 1946, when the country needed equipment for post-war reconstruction.
GAZ-51 - a truck for virgin soil. Photo source: gaz51.ru
Having become the most massive truck in the country in the fifties, the GAZ-51 was actively used in the development of virgin lands - untouched fertile steppes in the north of Kazakhstan. For the participants of this "great campaign", he became one of the symbols new era, the growth of the economic power of the USSR in those years.
GAZ-51 - a truck for virgin soil. Photo source: uralaz.ru
Good design and enough low price turned the GAZ-51 into an export product that the Soviet Union supplied abroad. Moreover, not only to the countries of the Eastern bloc, but also to the capitalist states.
ZiS-150 - a successful "clone" of the American truck
Externally domestic truck ZiS-150 is very similar to american car International Harvester K-7, however, it cannot be considered a "clone". In fact, this car had only an American cabin - during the war, Soviet representatives were able to agree with the United States on the supply of body stamping presses. The technical basis of the novelty is local development and production.
ZiS-150 is a successful "clone" of the American truck. Photo source: avtomobili-rnd.ru
At first, the body of the ZiS-150 was made partially of wood - the country devastated by the war did not have enough metal. However, over time, this shortcoming was corrected. The truck was produced from 1947 to 1957. A total of 771,883 units of this car were produced.
ZiS-150 is a successful "clone" of the American truck. Photo source: dennism.livejournal.com
ZIL-130 - universal truck
ZIL-130 is probably the most versatile truck domestic production. On the basis of this machine, over its half-century history, not only trucks, but also dump trucks, tractors, fire trucks and snowplows, garbage trucks, etc. were created. The secret of this versatility is a successful design that allows you to change the purpose vehicle without changing it technical part, relatively low production cost and reliability, allowing the truck to operate for decades.
ZIL-130 is a universal truck. Photo source: avto.at.ua
Trucks are still produced on the ZIL-130 chassis. True, now they are called AMUR. However, hundreds of thousands of Soviet-made ZILs still drive on the roads of Russia and other countries. In total, more than three million copies of this truck were produced.
ZIL-130 is a universal truck. Photo source: gruzovikpress.ru
GAZ-66 - cargo SUV
GAZ-66 was created to travel on the most extreme conditions where no other vehicle can pass. Four driven wheels allow the car to drive over dirt, rough terrain, rocks, rocks and other nasty surfaces. This is the reason why the GAZ-66 has become almost the main army truck.
GAZ-66 - cargo SUV. Photo source: topwar.ru
What's the Soviet and Russian army! Even Jean-Claude Van Damme's character in the action movie The Expendables 2 drove a GAZ-66! Isn't that a real worldwide recognition?
GAZ-66 - cargo SUV. Photo source: Wikipedia
Ural-375 - six-axle SUV
Ural-375 - another one four wheel drive truck, which was massively used not only for civilian, but also for military needs. Three driving axles and huge wheels, as well as large load capacity allowed to carry it on the most bad roads and in the absence of these, not only people and goods, but even systems salvo fire"Grad". However, significant technical shortcomings, for example, unreliable, but costly Gas engine, as well as problems in brake system led to the fact that the Ministry of Defense already in 1982 began to replace this truck with the Ural-4320.
Ural-375 is a six-axle SUV. Photo source: denisovets.ru
In the civilian sector, the Ural-375 truck, produced until 1992, is still used in the oil and geological exploration industries.
Ural-375 is a six-axle SUV. Photo source: truck-auto.info
KrAZ-255 - Ukrainian hero
KrAZ-255 is a true legend of the Ukrainian and Soviet automotive industry. During its existence (since 1967), it received from the people, probably, more nicknames than any other domestic machine, for example, “lappet”, “bast shoe” and even “moon rover”. There are legends about the traction power and ubiquitous cross-country ability of this truck. It is believed that this car can pull seven wagons loaded with coal straight along the sleepers.
KrAZ-255 - Ukrainian hero. Photo source: avtomobili-rnd.ru
More interesting fact – individual models KrAZ-255 can be refueled not only with gasoline, but also with kerosene. Partly because of this, it was used as a tractor on airfields. However, being a driver on this truck is a real torment (which is only the lack of power steering!). No wonder another of his nicknames is "cannibal".
KrAZ-255 - Ukrainian hero. Photo source: truck-auto.info
KamAZ - the king of Soviet trucks
In principle, the KamAZ brand itself can be called the “main Soviet truck” as such! After all, since the mid-seventies, it was these vehicles that took over a significant part of civilian cargo transportation in the country. And the first model produced by the plant in Naberezhnye Chelny in 1976 was the KamAZ-5320.
KamAZ is the king of Soviet trucks. Photo source: leagueofchaos.ru
KamAZ-5320 did not have a berth in the cab, which later became a branded element of this brand, but was a reliable and powerful truck. In subsequent models, such a constructive addition appeared, which turned the truck not just into a car, but into a real motor home.
KamAZ is the king of Soviet trucks. Photo source: rb03.ru
On January 29, 1932, the first GAZ-AA truck, the legendary "one and a half", rolled off the assembly line at the Gorky Automobile Plant. He became one of the first legendary Soviet trucks that our country can be proud of. Many of these cars are still driving on the streets of Russia.
AMO-F-15 - the first Soviet truck
The first Soviet truck appeared in 1922. Then, for the first time, the small and angular AMO-F-15, created on the basis of the Italian truck FIAT 15 Ter, which was produced at the AMO plant (the current ZIL) in 1917-1919, entered the streets. But at the same time, the design was noticeably changed by local engineers. 
The first ten copies of the AMO-F-15 took part in a demonstration on Red Square, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Revolution. And three of them a few days later were sent to a test rally on Russian off-road. Trucks during this long race showed themselves from the best side, so the plant began their mass production. In total, in the period from 1924 to 1931, 6285 copies of the AMO rolled off the assembly line. 
This car got its nickname "lorry" (and also "polundra") due to the load capacity of 1.5 tons, for which this truck was designed. Initially, GAZ-AA was created on the basis of the Ford Model AA car, but then it was modernized several times, eventually becoming an independent vehicle. 
GAZ-AA was produced from 1932 to 1950, eventually becoming one of the most massive trucks in the history of the USSR (985 thousand copies). The finest hour of the "lorry" came during the Second World War - this unpretentious, simple, but reliable truck became the main "horse" of the Red Army. Including, and during the breakthrough of the Siege of Leningrad, when relatively light "gaziki" in large quantities carried food to the besieged city on the ice of Lake Ladoga. 
ZiS-5 - three-ton
Another legendary participant in the Great Patriotic War was the ZiS-5 truck (aka "three-ton", aka "Zakhar", aka "Zakhar Ivanovich"). 
Serial production of the ZiS-5 began in 1933. In fact, this truck became the heir to AMO-3. It was assembled entirely from domestic components, and during the war its design was simplified as much as possible - in harsh years, quantity was more important than quality. By the way, the legendary Katyusha was also created on the basis of this truck, albeit a slightly modernized one (officially called the ZiS-6). 
GAZ-51 - a truck for virgin soil
The first copy of the GAZ-51 truck was created and shown to the public back in 1940, but the war prevented its mass production. So serial production began only in 1946, when the country needed equipment for post-war reconstruction. 
Having become the most massive truck in the country in the fifties, the GAZ-51 was actively used in the development of virgin lands - untouched fertile steppes in the north of Kazakhstan. For the participants of this "great campaign", he became one of the symbols of the new era, the growth of the economic power of the USSR in those years. 
A successful design and a fairly low price turned the GAZ-51 into an export product that the Soviet Union supplied abroad. Moreover, not only to the countries of the Eastern bloc, but also to the capitalist states.
ZiS-150 - a successful "clone" of the American truck
Outwardly, the domestic truck ZiS-150 is very similar to the American International Harvester K-7, but it cannot be considered a “clone”. In fact, this car had only an American cabin - during the war, Soviet representatives were able to agree with the United States on the supply of body stamping presses. The technical basis of the novelty is local development and production. 
At first, the body of the ZiS-150 was made partially of wood - the country devastated by the war did not have enough metal. However, over time, this shortcoming was corrected. The truck was produced from 1947 to 1957. A total of 771,883 units of this car were produced. 
ZIL-130 - universal truck
ZIL-130 is probably the most versatile truck of domestic production. On the basis of this machine, over its half-century history, not only trucks, but also dump trucks, tractors, fire trucks and snowplows, garbage trucks, etc. were created. The secret of this versatility is a successful design that allows you to change the purpose of the vehicle without changing its technical part, a relatively low production cost and reliability that allows you to operate the truck for decades. 
Trucks are still produced on the ZIL-130 chassis. True, now they are called AMUR. However, hundreds of thousands of Soviet-made ZILs still drive on the roads of Russia and other countries. In total, more than three million copies of this truck were produced. 
GAZ-66 - cargo SUV
GAZ-66 was created to drive through the most extreme conditions, where no other vehicle can pass. Four driven wheels allow the car to drive over dirt, rough terrain, rocks, rocks and other nasty surfaces. This is the reason why the GAZ-66 has become almost the main army truck. 
Why is there a Soviet and Russian army! Even Jean-Claude Van Damme's character in the action movie The Expendables 2 drove a GAZ-66! Isn't that a real worldwide recognition? 
Ural-375 - six-axle SUV
Ural-375 is another four-wheel drive truck that was massively used not only for civilian, but also for military needs. Three driving axles and huge wheels, as well as a large carrying capacity, made it possible to carry on it on the worst roads and in the absence of these, not only people and cargo, but even the Grad multiple launch rocket system. However, significant technical shortcomings, for example, an unreliable but expensive gasoline engine, as well as problems in the brake system, led the Ministry of Defense to begin replacing this truck with the Ural-4320 already in 1982. 
In the civilian sector, the Ural-375 truck, produced until 1992, is still used in the oil and geological exploration industries. 
KrAZ-255 - Ukrainian hero
KrAZ-255 is a true legend of the Ukrainian and Soviet automotive industry. During its existence (since 1967), it received from the people, probably, more nicknames than any other domestic machine, for example, “lappet”, “bast shoe” and even “moon rover”. There are legends about the traction power and ubiquitous cross-country ability of this truck. It is believed that this car can pull seven wagons loaded with coal straight along the sleepers. 
Another interesting fact is that some KrAZ-255 models can be refueled not only with gasoline, but also with kerosene. Partly because of this, it was used as a tractor on airfields. However, being a driver on this truck is a real torment (which is only the lack of power steering!). No wonder another of his nicknames is "cannibal" 
KamAZ - the king of Soviet trucks
In principle, the KamAZ brand itself can be called the “main Soviet truck” as such! After all, since the mid-seventies, it was these vehicles that took over a significant part of civilian cargo transportation in the country. And the first model produced by the plant in Naberezhnye Chelny in 1976 was the KamAZ-5320. 
KamAZ-5320 did not have a berth in the cab, which later became a branded element of this brand, but was a reliable and powerful truck. In subsequent models, such a constructive addition appeared, which turned the truck not just into a car, but into a real motor home. 
There is again fierce debate on the Internet - which long-range tractor would be ideal in our conditions; for the umpteenth time! The debaters, as always, were divided into two main camps: the ideal - with a hood, and without. Another section is by components: ours or imports. Let's remember what attempts to create long-range trucks were made by our car factories, starting from the time of the late USSR.
01.
IN Soviet time no commercial prototypes were shown to the people - the party and the government themselves decided what and where to ride. The first, extraordinarily bold, even by world standards, attempt to imagine a truck of the future was the famous "Perestroika". MAZ-2000, as its creators called it, was shown in 1988 and earned rave reviews in Paris. And although plans to launch a series were discussed even at the ministerial level, there was a minimum chance of a series. Still, "Perestroika" was not so much a revolutionary truck as a different transport concept, under which the infrastructure of roads, interchanges and terminals would have to be redone. All built cars remained prototypes, but Minskers set the tone for the rest of the car factories - it was time to turn to face consumers and try to offer a really new product. 
02.
The first trucks Altkam-5443(by the name of the Kamaz-Austrian joint venture) were conceived back in the USSR, and in 1991 Altcam became the first post-Soviet truck to use imported components: Cummins or MAN engines, Eaton or ZF gearboxes, Raba axles, Sisu cabs. It is not surprising that the first private traders bought these tractors, even despite the solid price. And the "adult" European competitors killed the brand: because of mass production cars were cheaper, and even completely imported. 
03.
In 1993, MAZ was "issued to the surface" MAZ-5445. For the "dashing nineties" - just a sensation. A "foreign" design, a flat floor, a spacious original cabin, and also in combination with a trailer built according to the technologies of the German company Kögel, with which MAZ was then trying to organize a joint venture. A serious contender for the title of King of the Roads! But... Expensive. Did not work out. The only prototype was parked in the "menagerie" .... 
04.
Unexpectedly, in the same 1993, the metropolitan ZiL, which had previously reigned in the middle class, presented its "ideal trucker". Moreover, it was a true "American" loved by many - Kenworth T800, completely on original units. They were planned to be produced by the newly formed joint venture Novotrak (ZiL-Kenworth-Caterpillar). But due to the sluggishness of the huge enterprise, everything was bent, and two cars remained in the country (one in the photo), but we never saw "our American" on the roads. 
05.
Two years later, the Ukrainian KrAZ tried to get into the niche of long-range tractors. For the first time in history, he introduced a two-axle tractor KrAZ-5444 with a sleeping bag, a high roof and a modified hood; on the usual domestic units. But no one imagined the "monster of quarries" as a long-range tractor, and there were no people who wanted to massively purchase such machines. Gradually, road tractors disappeared from the plant's program ... 
Photo by Sergey Popsuevich
06.
Approximately in 1998, this idea of KrAZ was repeated by ZIL, already independently, on the usual basis. The cab of the city bonneted medium-tonnage was increased from above and behind, a spectacular body kit was made, and a Caterpillar engine was installed. They built two- and three-axle variants, but again things did not go further than prototypes. As in many similar cases, clients who had the means preferred foreign cars, and poor private traders preferred second-hand ones. 
07.
Here, Belarusians again joined the fight for the client. They relied on the Europeans, forming in 1998 the German-Belarusian joint venture " MAZ-MAN". It is clear whose components were on the tractors 5432
. They became mass-produced, they sold quite well. But, alas, the same story was repeated as with Altkam, plus political factors were added, and the Germans left the joint venture. The plant and the brand still exist today, but they no longer engage in "long-range combat", having quite successfully switched to the construction direction. 
08.
In 2001, at the Moscow festival "Autoexotica" 2001 "surprise pops up ... all the same MAZ-5445, already with a serial cabin instead of the original one. The prototype came into the possession of the Moscow body shop "Car-Systems", where the car was converted to new way. Atelier made a loud statement about the release of such trucks. Naturally, no series came close, but the only car lives in private hands in Altai. 
Photo by Nikolai Krapivin, website fototruck.ru
09.
An amazing event took place at MIMS "2002 - a little-known plant presented its bonneted road tractor UAMZ. This branch of ZiL quietly assembled ordinary trucks, and suddenly hired designers and created their own prototype " Buran". The appearance of the car was at least where, but the components - from the hopelessly outdated ZiL-130, albeit with diesel engine. There was no money to start production, and he remained a prototype, only stirring up the cargo community. 
Photo by Vyacheslav Korolyov
10.
And again the hood, and again from Ukraine. In 2004, the Kremenchug private company "Vladimir"announced the launch of its tractor KV-400. The two built samples were outwardly the same (cabin from the Czech Tatra with its own plastic "nose"), but differed in engines: Deutz or YaMZ. Why the plans did not come true is unknown, but it is unlikely that cars of an unknown brand would become mega-popular. Although witnesses noted good cabin ergonomics ... 
Photo by Alexander Govorukha
11.
And then our "Ural" joined the fight, in 2005 putting up a three-axle bonnet at MIMS Ural-6464. The car could not have become a breakthrough in the market - the cab from the old IVECO Turbo-Tech with a plastic hood, engine and gearbox gear YaMZ, springs on all axles. As in the case of KrAZ, the market did not accept the attempt of a specialist in the off-road "military" to spill over into long-range combat. 
Photo by Yuri Rogoza
12.
But maybe the supporters of the cabover layout liked the Ural car? The following year, a cabover "long-range" appeared Ural-63674 4x2, but, alas, also remained a rare guest on Russian roads. Probably for the same reason. 
13.
After some lull, in the midst of the crisis, in 2009, unexpectedly for everyone well-known manufacturer trailer equipment, the TONAR plant brought its tractor to the market, TONAR-5422. It was a "hodgepodge" - the cabin, axles and gearbox - Chinese, Cummins engine, and then YaMZ-650, the frame is its own, the suspension is American (but with modifications). In principle, these machines are sold, but most are used by Tonar himself... 
Photo by Maxim Shelepenkov
14.
MAZ workers were the last to stun the market today. In 2011, 64 years after the launch of the bonneted MAZ-200, the public was shown a bonneted MAZ-6440RA. The novelty was unusual due to a 600-horsepower MMZ diesel engine (modified by Tutaev), an Allison automatic machine, and a front air suspension. 
15.
The next year, MAZ rolled out new version long-range hood. On MAZe-6440RA sample of 2012 have already made a full-fledged full-size sleeping bag, like real "Americans". This car could well, if not blow up the market, then become a good alternative to the American used car. In the same Siberia, where there are many American tractors, and MAZov, they would definitely love this car, but in Minsk they decided to close the project ... It's a pity that the dream did not come true again. 
While there is a lull on the front of creating a dream for a trucker ... Will the perfect one appear domestic tractor for our roads? In any case, its creators will have to take into account several factors:
1. It is pointless to pass off old elements as new. The client knows perfectly well whether this is a new cabin or a refurbished one from the old one.
2. It is dangerous to assemble units, interfering with "French with Nizhny Novgorod". A great-looking truck with antediluvian stuffing is not bought.
3. Without a level of quality congenial to competitors, today you can only count on single sales, at any price.
And with or without a hood - it does not matter, we have enough admirers of both options.
