Soviet speed records Bashny.Net

The first in the Soviet Union the factory racing car GL-1 was built in 1938 on the basis of the production model GAZ M-1 (the famous "Emka").
The work on race cars led the designer Eugene Agita, although the project was called "Race Liphart", in honor of Andrew Liphart, chief designer of the GAZ plant.
In the standard frame was installed outdoor 2-seater body, some parts taken from the series M-1, but the overall weight of the car has been significantly reduced. Especially for the GL-1 engine "Emka" forced, increased the diameter of the valve, put a completely new cylinder head, and "horses" were added: 65 hp against the standard 50.

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The first version of the GL-1, with an open cockpit



"Break-in" vehicle engaged Arkady Nikolaev, GAZ factory test. At the first race in 1938 in Kiev, the speed reached 143 km / h - even record ... Even after returning to Moscow, Nikolaev was able to accelerate to 147 km / h.



The second generation, appeared cone



GL-1 of the second generation, on the basis of an improved modification of the car GAZ 11-73, was introduced in 1940.
There used forced 6-cylinder engine with 3, 4-liter, 2-barrel carburetors, the power raised to 100 hp
Also changed the look of the GL-1, there was a closed streamlined cabin.
The new version was "livelier" and Mykolayiv-Union set an absolute speed record: 161, 87 km / h.
It seems to be a triumph. But this time ...



Alas, the Soviet Union trailed in the wake of the global race for speed.
The latest development GAZ could catch up even with a record pre-revolutionary "Russo-Balt", and abroad, in the United States in 1937 on the British car Thunderbolt («thunderbolt") set a record at 501 km / h!
Of course, it was a terrible monster, weighing 7 tons, with twin 12-cylinder engine, a little like a road car, but also the Soviet GL-1 was not mass-produced cars.



The creators of "race Liphart" does not stand still, in 1941, work began on the third generation.
But very soon the whole country was not up to speed records ...
Alas, all the existing prototypes, and most importantly, the earlier instances of cars were destroyed - probably just went into a meltdown.
Nikolaev Racer, one of the most active members of the project switched to its core specialty (aeronautical engineering) and never returned to motor racing, Designer Agita not survived the war, committed suicide ...

One of the drawings GL-1, made in the 70s famous avtohudozhnikom Alexander Zakharov - they use the command of Alexander Bushueva



In 2006, the bodywork manufacture Alexander Bushueva decided to recreate the unique car, on the basis of numerous photographs and drawings preserved GL-1.
Has done huge work, which has won 4 years old, was created from the ground up is absolutely identical to the original body, the collection was carried out on the basis of the details of the original GAZ M-1.

Today, the restored GAZ GL-1 is presented in the Museum of vintage cars in Moscow.

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