UAZ: unknown machines, ahead of their time Bashny.Net

"Jaguar" and other development Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, not embarking on a conveyor.

In October UAZ will restyling version of the popular Patriot. In anticipation of the premiere we are reminded of other advanced for its time development of the plant and not embarked on the conveyor. Remembered with the hope that the Patriot will not repeat their fate.

Alas, fair frame SUVs in the world left little indecent. What they say: you can count them on the fingers of one hand. The whole world was overcome mania crossovers, which are only on the assurances of marketers can reach the ends of the earth. Another thing - the real "crooks". Such, for example, as UAZ.





Legends UAZ

Began the history of the plant at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in August 1941, when the USSR State Defense Committee decided to evacuate from Moscow to Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region a number of large enterprises. Among them appeared Moscow Automobile Plant named after Stalin (VMS). But before the first car production will still be a little less than a year before, the plant began producing aircraft shells. And only by May 1942 are collected and sent to the front first five ZIS-5. But by mid-summer rates of assembly increased to 20-30 vehicles per day, which allowed to appoint Ulyanovsk Branch ZIS №4 (UlZiS) the parent company for the production of these trucks. Due to the shortage of metal cab cars were made of wood, a number of modifications to the front there was only one light. But this did not prevent "Zahar" (as they are called drivers) dignity through the entire war. In total, during the great battles with the Nazis the Ulyanovsk masters was issued more than 7,000 cars and 20,000 engines. Incidentally, the original production was organized on a high bank of the Volga, where there were two branch lines.



That is the advantage and impact on the initial site selection. But already in 1945 UAZ final transfer to the newly built production site in Zasvijazhskij area. As for the "Zakharov," that at the end of 1944 their production was transferred to the Ural Miass, and the plant was entrusted to master the production of not less than the legendary "polutorok" GAZ-AA. In this connection, needed a new main conveyor, which earned 26 October 1947 years, when the first out of the gate came the trucks. Summer of 1955, decided to master the production again Gorky model car terrain GAZ-69 and GAZ-69A and trailers. From that moment, in general, the story begins UAZ as the world-famous manufacturer of machines of this class.



"Loaf" forever

The first "crook" own design became an ambulance UAZ-450A (the same "tadpole" or "loaf"), the first prototypes of which collected in 1955. For the time the car was a kind of revolution in the off-road world. Judge for yourself: wagon-type, curved windshield, two driving axles and soft suspension, stretchers and several seats in the cabin - the "nurse" simply did not have competition! At its base is also created malotonazhnoy truck UAZ-450D. And in January 1961, the plant started serial production of onboard UAZ-451D and van UAZ-451, making the necessary improvements. But modernization of the family does not stop after four years on the conveyor gets indexed model 452, for which in August 1966, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the plant, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR awarded him the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (the second such award, the company will receive even 10 years later, in 1976). As for the well-known "goat", which was to replace the GAZ-69, it has been developed since 1959. In 1965 there was a prototype, which was to go through many trials.
And until December 15, 1972, as the main conveyor Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant went first production car UAZ-469. By the way, with the release of this SUV for the first time in the history of domestic engineering was carried out non-stop transition to the new model. And after only two years the plant celebrated round anniversary - a million cars produced, some of which were exported abroad. And not only in the "satellite" of the USSR (for example, on the UAZ traveled legendary fighter for the independence of Liberty Island Ernesto Che Guevara), but in the capitalist countries (particularly popular Ulyanovsk SUVs used in Italy, where the brothers have organized a kind Martorelli dealership for the sale and finishing UAZ-469). In order to gain such popularity UAZ had to go through many tests. For example, in 1974 the "goat" with ease in 25 minutes (and this is the light stops!) Climbed Elbrus, to a height of 4000 meters. The following year, 1975, the first of Ulyanovsk SUV cars in its class took part in a rally across the Sahara, and four years later - on the Kara-Kum desert. All tests cars Ulyanovsk plant went without any problems.



"Cat" and not jumped

Well, at the company at this time is working on the development of new models and families. For example, in 1983, at the request of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR (by the way, the main buyer of off-road vehicles at the time, because in the free sale UAZ was not) was developed amphibious vehicle "Jaguar", designed for patrolling and protection of the state border. Its main "trick" - speed. On the water "cat" could sail at a speed of 10 km / h, while on the road developed up to 100 km / h.



As they say in the factory still has no analogues in the world this machine. And also tell funny stories. For example, during the test, "Jaguars" floated down the Volga from Ulyanovsk to Astrakhan. Can you imagine the faces of people who have seen floating in the river almost ordinary cars. Or as testers, "swim out to the shore" with typing in special containers with water, stopped somewhere at the traffic lights and open "gateways", arranging so peculiar a flood in the city.



Change does not come

Well, by the end of the Soviet Union at the plant developed, again commissioned by the USSR Ministry of Defense, a new model - UAZ-3172 (and its civilian version 3172-01), which was to replace the already outdated "goat." Car though built on the frame 3151, but had engine with 103 hp and could take on board a ton of cargo. Also, instead of the front springs were spring and bridges have received external gears. With this car had a phenomenal ride height - 330 mm (military version).

Another feature of the model was an opportunity to force a crossing depth of not less than one meter thanks to snorkel. But as you know, the economic situation in the country after the collapse of the USSR was breath-taking, so promising model and remained a few copies.



"Automatic" is not stuck

And in February 1997, the plant was put into operation a new workshop "3160", which started production of low-volume vehicles. In August of the same year with the line went first experimental batch of UAZ-3160. And not so long ago, in 2005, the plant started the production of the same "Patriot", which will hold on the line until at least 2020.



Incidentally, in the factory museum stands unique "Simbir" (the prototype of the modern family Patriot) with 3, 4-liter V6 from Toyota and the AKP. So, there were still attempts to factory workers to launch an SUV with the "automatic"! And indeed, among the museum specimens are real diamonds. Take, for example, promising all-wheel drive minivan UAZ-3165M, released in 2004, where he loved to ride one of the former directors of the plant. Well apart is the concept UAZ-Patriot [concept], presented in 2006 - one of the options restyling of the current generation.



Just look at his back. Now you understand how designers drew inspiration from the factory? Yes, it's almost Range Rover Sport! And pay attention to the tailgate - here it opens "in the right direction." I wonder if these changes are implemented in feysliftingovom UAZ Patriot, which the manufacturer promises to present in October of this year?

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