As you may have guessed, we will talk about the most elegant, attractive and prestigious car model that has been available to Soviet citizens since 1956. This car was produced in various variations of the engine design, body and interior design and was used as a passenger car, police car, the KGB of the USSR and of course a taxi (remember the plot “taxi to Dubrovka”). This car had a sedan body and was mass-produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant. Did you guess his name?
That's right, it's a car GAZ 21 "Volga". The entire history of the production of this car can be conditionally divided into three periods or three production series. The original name of the car was GAZ-M21(the plant was named after Molotov), then the letter “M” disappeared. Who remembers the signature deer on the hood? By the way, the deer also completely disappeared in the “third issue” series (1965-1970), this remarkable design element shining in the sun was gone for security reasons. Although he looked very stylish.
The main modifications of the GAZ 21 Volga car.
In the period from 1956 to 1965, a lot of modifications of the car were produced, and they differed quite a lot. The cars of the first releases until 1957 were equipped with a modified engine from the car " Victory”(power 65 hp), a total of 1100 of these machines were manufactured. Car GAZ-M21G in addition to the engine from “ victories", received a rear axle with shortened axle shafts from the car" ZIM". The "chip" of all cars of the first series is the connection of the positive power wire to the car body. For a taxi, a model was produced GAZ-M21B where cheaper trim was used. Since 1957, the Volga has been equipped with the ZMZ-21 engine, which was specially designed for GAZ 21 cars.The ZMZ-21 engine was distinguished by a number of progressive solutions, it provided 70 hp, was an overhead valve and almost entirely aluminum. Thus, already with the ZMZ-21 engine, the production car was named GAZ-M21V, the taxi car became known as GAZ-M21A, the export modification was named GAZ-M21D. In the export version of the GAZ-M21D, a manual gearbox (KP) and an uprated engine developing thrust up to 80 hp were installed. The export modification of the GAZ-M21E was distinguished by the installed automatic gearbox and also had an 80 hp engine.
The period of production of the “second series” of GAZ 21 cars is considered to be from 1959 to 1962, and about 160 thousand cars have already been produced during that time. The manufacturer gradually made changes to the design and they mainly concerned the design of the body, the increase in the wheel arches of the front fenders, and the change in the polarity of the electrical wiring. The car body in cars since 1960 is already connected to the common wire (minus) of the power supply. This made it possible to reduce metal corrosion and reduce current losses due to the design. The base model became known as the GAZ-M21I and new modifications appeared, such as the GAZ-M21U with leather trim (luxury modification) and the GAZ-M21K export version, sometimes in a two-tone body version and with additional decorative chrome body elements.
The power of the GAZ-M21U engine was 75-80 hp.
From 1962 to 1970, cars of the “third series” of production were produced. In total, about 470 thousand cars were manufactured. The machines of the “third series” had a radiator grill of 37 chrome vertical plates. The deer figurine completely disappeared from the hood, the total number of chrome-plated decorative elements was reduced. In the production model, a 75 hp engine began to be used, the shock absorbers became telescopic, and the body lines slightly changed. They have become more harmonious.
The main models of the third series are:
- "Volga" GAZ-M21L - 4-door sedan, mass production.
- Volga GAZ-M21U - luxury modification, improved interior trim and moldings on the wings.
- "Volga" GAZ-M21T - a car for a taxi, the front seats are separated. The passenger front seat to the right of the driver is foldable, and additional luggage can be placed in its place.
Brief description of the GAZ 21 car.
- Number of seats (together with the driver) - 5;
- Dimensions (length * width * height) in meters - 4.77 * 1.80 * 1.62;
- The "third series" of machines had a length of 4.83 meters. The height is determined without load.
- Base (distance between axles) - 2.7 meters;
- Front wheel track - 1.41 meters;
- Rear wheel track - 1.42 meters;
- Clearance - 190 mm;
- Fuel type - AI-72 gasoline;
- Fuel consumption per 100 km - from 9 to 13.5 liters;
- Tri-band tube radio with illuminated scale in the cabin.
Of course now the owners cars GAZ 21 rarely used for daily driving. Although in small settlements there are such people. Today it is already a collectible and quite expensive car. Cars with genuine factory parts and interior elements are especially valued by collectors.
The designers of the Gorky Automobile Plant managed to create the dream car of many Soviet people. Even today, 45 years after the last cars GAZ 21, the impeccable design of this machine catches the eye and attracts attention. It is a pity, of course, that for most Soviet people this car has remained a dream forever.
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