"Volga" (car): history, models, technical characteristics

"Volga" - a car that was produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant, due to which the models carry the same name GAZ. The first car was launched in 1956, the latter was launched in 2010. The Volga models were used by ordinary citizens, in taxi services, as official cars in state institutions, some were made specifically for the sake of organizations such as the KGB.

Creating a car

The first "Volga" is a GAZ-21 car, which for the first time came off the assembly line in 1956. Already then he began to use constantly in the cinema, and to this day it can be found in modern tapes. Over time, many international festivals and exhibitions have given deserved awards to the cars of this brand. At that time, the car belonged to the premium class, but had an average cost, which made it possible to buy it even for the not very well-to-do citizens of the Soviet Union.

Over time, it became clear that the most iconic and at the same time an uncommon car is the Volga.

How did the history of the Volga start?

The car "Volga" (salon even at the first models was very convenient and comfortable) after a long period of development before potential buyers appeared in a relatively updated form. At that time, the design and technical characteristics of the predecessor - "Victory", fully corresponded to the needs of contemporaries. However, by the 1950s its design was outdated, and the question of the engine remained unresolved - it lagged far behind its characteristics from the world's leading aggregates. As a result, the development of a new machine began (this happened in 1953). A year later the first sample of the Volga came off the assembly line. For him, there were developed two types of gearbox - automatic and mechanics.

Technical innovations of the time

Considering the technical characteristics of the car "Volga" (the review of the car is more focused on its general changes), you can see that among the interesting nuances there is a CSA. Thanks to the lubrication system, when you press a certain pedal oil is directed to the oil lines. The fact is that, being in a rural area, where basically one continuous off-road, the driver often broke off some elements of the suspension. CSA helped to prevent such unpleasant moments. However, one of the significant disadvantages of the system was that it flowed, leaving traces of oil on the asphalt. Over time, the use of the CSA was abandoned.

GAZ-23

So historically, almost all the authorities of the state of the USSR went exactly on the "Volga". Some specifications did not meet their requirements. Therefore, the manufacturer took into account every remark, as a result of which the produced models of the Volga survived strong changes. By 1962, a 160-strong unit was taken from the "Seagull" on new machines. The automatic transmission and the hydraulic booster were delivered to a special model of GAZ-23, which was not available to the usual resident of the country. This is due to the fact that the customer of this model was the KGB. We drove the car 100 kg more than the base version. Its maximum speed is 160 km / h. Up to 100 km / h the car was accelerated literally in 16 seconds. There were no changes in the braking system.

GAZ-21: the first series

"Volga", the car model GAZ-21 of the first series, was produced for two years. In 1956, the first three samples of the car came off the assembly line. Until the end of the same year, only 5 were released. Only in 1957 began large-scale production.

The number of models of the brand "Volga", cars of the first series, for all the years of production reached 30 thousand copies. To our days, "Volga with a star" in the original configuration did not reach, most of the surviving vehicles are already the second or third series. This explains the relevance and high fees for such a rarity.

The most noticeable feature of this series is that the instrument panel is outfitted with unusual features - it was not sprayed or coated with any material. In this state, she arrived until 1958. Some models did not have a monophonic color, but this equipment cost a little more.

GAZ-21: the second series

The cars that were manufactured from 1958 to 1959 are popularly called "transitional", and those born in 1959-1962 are called " - "second series". The Volga models of the next generation had more external changes than internal ones. Wings have acquired a different shape due to the increase in the dimensions of wheel arches. In principle, if you look closely, you can see that the design of the GAZ-21 began to resemble the prototype of the 55th year. It can not be said that the modernization of the car was completely discontinued, but the changes were insignificant and frivolous - the technical specifications did not change, the exterior of the car remained the same.

The cataphores, the updated instrument panel and other innovations appeared only closer to 1959. If you recalculate all the models that were released (and all the bundles), then we can say for sure that more than 140,000 copies came off the assembly line.

GAZ-21: the third series

To conduct restyling of the first generation, the manufacturer did not consider it a rational solution, so the car appeared in front of the viewer in a slightly transformed version. The characteristics of the Volga practically did not change - only the bumper, the body were changed, some finishing elements were added.

Over time, the appearance of the machine underwent significant changes. Models, called the "third series", began to go off the assembly line after 1962, and they already little resembled the original version.

The appearance of the machine was constantly modernized, but the manufacturer did not forget about the technical side either. Gradually the unit became more powerful, banal lever shock absorbers were replaced by telescopic ones, and the version with automatic transmission was discontinued.

GAZ-24: the first series

A special feature of the first series of the Volga GAZ-24 car was a bumper, which had a chrome-plated number table, bodywork, rear lights with cataphores, sofa seats consisting of 3 parts, doors, or rather their panels, with a picture in the upright position, a dashboard in Black color, covered with a leather substitute.

The manufacturer constantly subjected the machine to some minor changes, for example, by 1975 the car lost the clutch in automatic mode to activate the fan (due to unstable operation). A little later the rear mirror became a slightly different shape, the trunk was equipped with a more reliable and comfortable lock, the ribbon speedometer was replaced with a standard switch.

GAZ-24: the second series

The car "Volga" GAZ-24 underwent serious changes during 1976-1978. The release of the car with these modifications can be called the output of the second series.

Bumpers of the new generation received "fangs", headlights suitable for driving in foggy places, lanterns with cataphores. In the cabin, there have also been changes. Metal elements, which in one way or another pose a threat to the health of passengers, were covered with a protective plastic overlay, the door appeared a picture in a horizontal orientation. The manufacturer added static belts, which resulted in the removal of the armrests. Seats have received a new (improved) upholstery in GAZ-24 models. "Volga", the second generation car, was produced several years - until 1985.

GAZ-24: the third series

The release of the third series was marked by new upgrades, which were more radical and significant. The next generation of the car - GAZ-24-10 - appeared on the market in the mid-1980s.

At this time, the manufacturer found it necessary to gradually introduce new products. The process of complete change has occurred since the 1970s, when the radiator grille was changed , until 1987. By the last year, an updated sedan was already being produced that combined several designs of previous versions of Volga cars. The car got the name (unofficial) GAZ-24M.

The third series included not only the above-described model, but also the GAZ-2410. This option was used to discuss state institutions: hospitals, schools, etc. It was developed practically since 1976, while it was realized only by 1982. In fact, after a while it became clear that this model would become The ancestor of new cars under the name "Volga". The car was manufactured before 1992 and then it was replaced by a similar assembly, but under the name GAZ-31029. The difference between them was only in the type of unit and the shape of the body.