THE HISTORY OF THE FOLK CAR IN THE USSR
The smallest and most affordable, and perhaps the most recognizable "Zaporozhets" ZAZ-965 was immediately dubbed "hunchback" for the body shape. In this, the Soviet car became the brother of the Italian Fiat 600, but differed in everything else - a different engine, gearbox, suspension and enlarged tires. On the ZAZ-965, engines with a capacity of no more than 27 "horses" were installed, which were located behind the passenger compartment, and the trunk, contrary to tradition, was in front. If desired, it was possible to ride the "zazik" at a speed of 90 km / h.
The car, which later became "Zaporozhets", began to be designed at the Moscow Small Car Plant (MZMA) at the end of 1956, it was supposed to organize the production of the car at the same enterprise. Even then, fundamental design solutions were set: a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. In 1958 it was decided to produce cars not in Moscow, but in Zaporozhye, at the Kommunar plant, which until then was engaged in the production of agricultural machinery. The official date for the start of production of the ZAZ-965 car is considered to be 1960, but even in 1961 the cars were produced only in small series, and only in 1962 a full-fledged assembly line of cars started.
Cossacks were also delivered to European countries: cars sold through a Belgian exporter were called Jalta, and those that went through Finland wore the Yalta nameplate. A total of 316,713 humpbacks were produced by 1969, the most successful was 1968, when 67,000 vehicles rolled off the assembly line. The ZAZ-965 model was replaced by the ZAZ-966. The Zaporozhets car cost 1,800 rubles, or about 16-18 workers' wages. However, this is three times cheaper than the Volga. the price was determined as the total cost of one thousand bottles of vodka (1.80 rubles each). “I’ll quit drinking, buy a car,” the people said then. Such is the story of the people's car.
(Translated via Google translator from Russian)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
-original photo;
-first publication;
-camera Sony 16.2
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Photo taken - Sony 16.2 - 3x Zoom, Vario-Tessar lens.
