Car "Volga" (22 GAZ) station wagon: an overview, description, specifications and reviews

"Volga" model 22 (GAZ) is widely known to the entire automobile public as a station wagon. This series was started at the Gorky Automobile Plant from the age of 62. The issue was finished in 1970. On the basis of this car, then many modifications were released, but about everything in order.

History of creation of the versatile person

Together with the development of the GAZ-21 sedan at the plant, a car with a station wagon was created. But these cars could not enter the series. After a while, the plant still built the first copy. The basis for it was considered GAZ-21R of the second generation. Serial cars were built on the basis of the third generation. Interestingly, the 22 GAZ model was produced in very small quantities, and ordinary citizen of the USSR could not buy a station wagon.

They were intended only for official use in various government bodies and enterprises. This was due to the fact that the model had excellent consumer qualities. This is a good load capacity and a large amount of trunk. A Soviet man with this car could receive additional income - the government was not profitable, because it was possible to get a huge hole in the budget.

So, after opening the tailgate, the station wagon could very easily turn from a private car into a production car: a small drilling machine or other equipment could be placed in the trunk.

This machine became available to the majority only in the early 70's, when it was already removed from production, new cars drove the station wagon out of garages in state institutions. The only person who sold the car was Yuri Nikulin. He justified why he needed a station wagon: he intended to transport circus props in it.

Appearance

Based on the design of the third series of GAZ-21. In comparison with the rest, here experts decided to completely change everything that was already there. The body was distinguished by a large number of chrome parts, a new radiator grille was installed in front, which was then called the whale's wit. From the bumper, the fangs of the GAZ-22 station wagon vanished. A deer was also removed from the hood. This was done for another 21 models and not just for the sake of a new look. Statistics showed that in the event of a car getting into an accident involving pedestrians, serious injuries are inflicted on this particular emblem. As for the author who designed the design, it's Lev Eremeev.

In the development of the body, he relied on the trend of automotive fashion of that era, and asked the latest fashion trends at that time Americans.

Naturally, by the standards of the West, the appearance looked too old. The Soviet man liked the design: the car looked rather fresh and seemed unusual to many people. But this only concerned pre-series models. At the time of launching the "Volga" in the series the design has already become ordinary and did not stand out on the roads.

Today there are very few such cars on the roads. For fans of retro subjects, smaller copies of the GAZ-22 1:18 52 are offered.

Model GAZ-22 very accurately repeats the shape and design of the body of the original car. This is a good purchase in the collection.

Interior

In the salon of the versatile person it is very spacious, half a century ago it was very comfortable. In the USSR, the car was designed for 5 seats, but in the West it was officially considered to be 6-seat. So, passengers were offered soft wide sofas, as well as a high ceiling and a flat floor. The interior is decorated well. The materials used were fabric, vinyl and chromium.

In the basic configuration of the car "Volga" GAZ-22 station wagon was fully equipped at that time radio. He could receive five waves, which was enough for the Soviet man.

If we talk about comfort, then in this "Volga" made a good heater. In conditions of mild winter, he quite tolerably heals the salon. And one more advantage is that it is noiseless. How, many of those who do not know will ask? It's simple: it's hidden under the hood. About sound insulation can not speak, because this is the end of the 70's. Then the noise in the cabin was considered quite normal.

Features of the versatile 22 GAZ

Among the features can be identified a large amount of luggage compartment, which is easily increased if you fold the passenger sofa. The rear row of seats is installed in such a way that a minimum of effort is required to fold them. This made it possible to transport in the car quite large cargo: cabinets, refrigerators. Also, high ceilings play a big role here. Another feature in the technology of manufacturing the side of the car body 22 (GAZ "Volga").

So, for this purpose we used an integral sidewall from the GAZ-21 car, and then manually cut off the upper rear part from it. And instead of this part a new stamped part was already installed. Another among the features is a more powerful rubber. Also on the wheels could be used tires from the car ZIM.

Lifting capacity

Springs in this model are quite tough. This allowed to carry 5 passengers and up to 200 kg of various cargoes. If there was only one driver and passenger in the cabin, more than 400 kg could be put in the trunk.

Technical part

In the design of the car, the engineers used everything that the third-series sedan of the same name was completed. As for the powertrain, there were three. They had different power: 75, 80 and 85 horsepower. There was a history of diesel engine capacity of 65 liters. from. 75-strong configuration was intended for use in the USSR, the rest were going for export.

Coupled with the engines were three-speed transmission. These were fully mechanical synchronized boxes. Engineers were thinking about installing the machine, but this idea remained unrealized for technical reasons. The chassis and interior details were modified to meet the requirements of the new body, but the bridge remained unchanged.

1965 brought a small modification to the entire model range of the Volga.

So, the spars were strengthened, the windshield wipers became a bit longer, replaced the hub bearings. Also, the digital indexes have also been replaced. The base model of the station wagon was called 22B, and the export model - GAZ M-22.

Specifications

In the body of the station wagon could accommodate from 5 to 7 people. The car accelerated to 120 km / h - this was its peak speed. As for the acceleration time to 100 km, it took 34 seconds. The fuel consumption was from 11 to 13.5 liters per 100 kilometers. The gearbox is a three-stage mechanical, equipped with synchronizers in the second and third gears.

The front suspension was a spring-loaded, independent type with lateral levers. The rear is dependent, on springs. It worked hydraulic shock absorbers. Reviews say that the machine has a very soft suspension.

The steering mechanism was a globoid worm gear. As a brake system, drum brakes with a single-path hydraulics drive were used.

Reviews

Motorists say that this car is quite fast. This can not be said even in appearance. The GAZ-22 engine, although it was made using modern technologies at that time: an aluminum block of cylinders, a full-turn crankshaft and another - is still quite weak, especially if we take into account the weight. But the reaction to the pedal of this unit is quite lively.

In fact, in the course of a small test drive, the car in the conditions of the city flow is quite confident, if the speed limit is not more than 60 km / h. This can simply be explained: the torque that this unit can display is 170 Nm. The engine produces it at low revs. However, the reviews say that the engine's thrust drops as the engine speed rises.

There is this motor and what some like. Judging by the reviews, it is very flexible, and the box together with it turns into an "automatic". It is necessary to accelerate in two programs, on the third one you can go along streets and alleys without gear or drive on the road.

Sanitary machine

For all time, many modifications were made on the basis of this station wagon, many of them were exported. In the USSR, sanitary modification was widely used. Its index is 22V. From other cars the model differed special fastening for medical stretchers.

Also in the salon there were places for a minimum set of medical equipment. At that time, there were already other universals for medical tasks. But they did not have a heated salon. However, inside the car was well lit.

The model data was painted white with red crosses. The rear windows were frosted. On the left and right front fenders, a special search lamp was mounted, and a fire detector was installed on the roof.

Article in the press about GAZ-22

As you know, the model was exported. Popular in England automobile magazine The Motor even published an article about this "Volga". The journalist very much praised high cross-country ability, carrying capacity and durability. Sufficient structural strength was also noted. We also noted shortcomings, but they are insignificant. This is an outdated design and a weak dynamic.

The car was nothing more than a companion of the Volga 21. To issue the station wagon ceased immediately, as the production of the GAZ-21 car ended. This was in June 1970. Today you can find the models on the go, but there are very few on the roads. For those who want to do tuning the GAZ-22, parts are better to buy only the original. They can still be found.