On all-wheel drive for the Soviet motherland

It just so happened that in the Russian mentality the word "Jeep" is associated with thick necks, leather jackets and other stereotypes. Few people looking at SUVs as workhorses able to smuggle in her womb the host body through the swamps, forests and other obstacles. Even the manufacturers are not position their brainchild as the off-road vehicles for the deaf. And, of course, products of the Soviet and Russian automobile industry in our minds is not associated with the heroic conquest of the terrain. Nevertheless, it was thanks to the Soviet engineering humanity has a lot of machines that can give odds to all kinds of Land Rover and Gelendvagenam. So - the most popular Soviet SUVs.

11 photos, and text.





GAZ-67. He Ivan Willis, aka Father

Shortly before the war in the minds of the great Soviet zaskreblas idea of ​​the need to create high-quality utility vehicle for military purposes. All the advanced military powers at that time already had an adjusted system of manufacturing all-terrain vehicles, and as a basis for national development, it was decided to take the American Willys MB Jeer. As you know, memorable Willis is considered to be the father of all SUVs manufactured today the global automotive industry. With minor changes, he produced until 2004, under the brand name Jeer Wrangler.

Soviet variation Willis was named the GAZ-67. By car was installed four-cylinder engine, the volume of 3280 cubic centimeters, has an output of 54 horsepower. Just need to mention that until the collapse of the Soviet Union not only SUVs designed for off-road transportation, but also as a tractor for light artillery. GAZ-67 coped with this task perfectly and can tow a trailer weighing up to one ton.

Successfully bothering during the Great Patriotic War, GAZ-67 has helped a lot and the friendly Powers of the USSR. The huge amounts of cars supplied to North Korea, where the car was widely used during the war 50s.



GAZ-69. He "goat»

Soon after the war began studies on the new model SUV, designed to replace the reliable but outdated GAZ-67. The first prototypes were produced back in 1948, and mass production of GAZ-69 began in 1953, the GAZ factory in Ulyanovsk, previously involved in the release of the legendary "polutorok».



From the beginning, "goat" began to be published in two versions. The first was two doors and the body for eight seats, and the second, which was published under the name of GAZ-69A, had five doors and five seats. The power unit with capacity of 50 lo shadinyh strength was borrowed from just mastered "Victory." True, it is a bit inferior to high-torque motor Ivan Willis, but in peacetime it, nobody paid attention.

Car actively imported into all countries of the world. In Romania and China, he even self-produced local factories, but without a license and under the local brand. Particularly popular GAS-B9 got in hot countries in Africa and Latin America. "Tropical" version SUV earned fondness military, planters and slaveholders from Third World countries. Until now rainforests Russian go "goats", although somewhat modified through the efforts of local craftsmen.



UAZ-469

Inspired by a loud slogan "catch up and overtake America," the Soviet automakers decided to surpass all countries combined. Wishing to outdo and British Land Rover and an American Humvee, the designers set about designing a fundamentally new SUV is equally suitable for both military and civilian needs. The project was ready in 1961, but production began only in 72.



What is fundamentally different from the old new UAZ GAZ-69. Firstly, the passenger the opportunity to hold a special pen. Secondly, the squandering of the motor from the "Victory" was replaced by the upgraded engine from the 21 th "Volga". This compared favorably motor that can run on 72-m gasoline, the cheapest of all existing at the time. In addition, the front axle drive can be switched off and is now connected via levers in the cockpit.



But despite the powerful new innovations, the car has been accepted by the consumer without much fuss. GAZ-69 has already won the hearts of not only the Soviet people, but also buyers capitalists. In 1971, the 69th, even participated in the races "black raid" - the predecessor of the rally "Paris -Dakar." Later, on the basis of 469, it was developed by modification of the UAZ-31512 - the famous "orderly." Immediately after the car has been adopted by "ambulance».



Despite the sluggish start, UAZ is now considered one of the most popular in the world. You may have noticed time and again UAZ in Hollywood action movies, which is unfolding in the Middle East or Africa. In total our main SUV exported to more than 100 countries, and is still produced in Russia in modernized form under the brand name "Hunter».



LuAZ-969

Opinions about this car has always been extremely controversial. Some praise the "hunting Zaporozhets," calling it the best people's car, and some disgust frown, noticing awkward silhouette in traffic flows.



Nevertheless, the car created on the basis of ZAZ - 969, the famous "eared" in 1978 at the international show in Turin, entered the top ten best cars in Europe, and in 1979 at the Czechoslovak exhibition received a gold medal as the best vehicle for the village. And indeed the genuine love and acceptance Loiseau earned just at villagers and hunters and anglers.



Niva. She Lada-2121.

In the history of the Soviet automobile industry, this machine will always be the first SUV with no military background, designed exclusively for civil use. Even being in its infancy experienced car "Niva", took part in the competition for continuity, which was attended by experienced four-wheel drive models "Moskvich", Oise, Loiseau and Land-Rovers. Especially for the test were selected hard to reach places such as arable land with melted snow, pit sand, a bit wet rain and other treacherous place. All venerable ATVs immediately bogged down in domestic fertile ground, and "Field" will continue to move, never zavyaznuv to set obstacles. Everything else, "Niva" was the only passenger car, which was officially exported to Japan. Rumor has it that one of the most popular SUV in the world, "Suzuki Vitara" designed with developments Volga car.

As with the entire history of the domestic automotive industry, the creation of the Soviet experience has been mixed, but certainly the best. Rudeness assembly justified form factor and design solutions to this day find their lovers worldwide.

Hence



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