Moskvich-423N
From the Speakers “Speeds” (Latvian connoisseurs emphasize the first syllable!) - the latest achievement of the Soviet radio engineering in general and the Riga factory in particular - you can hear the husky, quiet, but very dear, sincere baritone of Mark Bernes or the transparent voice of the beginning, but already famous Maya Kristalinsky. The wind shakes the leaves and strives to blow off a chaise lounge into the river - an attribute of the highest tourist comfort. And all this was brought here thanks to this not pompous and not embarrassed, but pretty and hardworking Moskvich.
FOR THE FIFTH DOOR
In the 1950-1960s, the word "first" in relation to domestic cars most often sounded in connection with the Moscow factory of small cars MZMA. So the first wagon was born there. True, at first it went wrong. Rather, the car turned out, but the wooden-metal Moskvich-400-421 did not become serial. They probably decided that a van was enough for the Soviet people to work, but a few private traders rejoiced in the sedan.
But in 1957, about a year after the Moskvich-402 was launched into production, the all-metal five-door 423rd started, not only the appearance, but also the name of the body of which - the station wagon - were unusual for Soviet motorists. By the way, on the nameplate of our “Moskvich-423 N” of 1961 it says so: “Moskvich” -universal.
Moskvich-423N
The design and the set of equipment Moskvich was not inferior to most foreign counterparts. The design and the set of equipment Moskvich was not inferior to most foreign counterparts.
For the first time in the USSR, the comfort of a passenger car was combined with an impressive (for this class, of course) capacity. Moreover, in contrast to the Volga GAZ-22, which appeared very rarely in private hands, the Muscovites not only worked out of state need, but also lived in the families of ordinary Soviet motorists.
However, a private car was no longer a miracle. Times have generally come relatively free. Soviet people avidly read books that were not previously published, watched films that were not like everything that had been seen before, and went to amazing exhibitions. One 1959 American one was worth it! Had to not only see, but also touch the breathtaking, and the newest overseas cars.
The desire to travel, including using the car, organically fit into the picture of the era. After all, Soviet people have the right not only to work, but also to rest! Here are the lucky ones and romp around the Crimea, the Caucasus and the Baltic states or just go on weekends for mushroom berries, fishing. And which car (of those that were available to our parents, grandparents) is better suited for this than the Moskvich Universal?
WITH ALL CONVINIENCES
Gas, central heating, water supply with hot (when not turned off!) Water. The beginning of the 1960s was the time of a massive move to unpretentious five-story boxes with not very spacious, but well-maintained, and most importantly, separate (after communal apartments!) Apartments. Many townspeople even got refrigerators and televisions. Do not laugh: the parents, and even more so the grandmothers of those who tasted this luxury at the turn of the 1950-1960s, often referred to the squandering of children without approval.
Moskvich-423N
This "Muscovite" in the early 1960s - the top of solidity and comfort. What is there in the 1960s! Fifteen years ago, in the outback, they simply drove such people. Apart from the car a rarity, they transported everything that fit, and sometimes that fit with difficulty. And half a century ago, it really corresponded not only to modest Soviet ones, but also, as they used to say, to international standards. That is why the “Muscovites" bought well not only in socialist, but also in capitalist (mainly Scandinavian) countries. Then the top-valve motor with a capacity of 45 hp and the four-speed gearbox were quite modern. The front suspension is independent, and on ball bearings (though, the rubber-metal silent blocks on the 407th and its modifications were placed only on the lower arms, the upper were mounted on threaded bushings), and the shock absorbers were telescopic. A decent stove drives warm air into the cabin, the radio purrs. What else?
Zealous owners necessarily added thick seat covers with a rich set of pockets, compensating for the small number of places for small things in the cabin. It would be nice to attach a roof rack to the roof, and on the station wagon you can hoist and non-standard - long. But this still needs to be done. And inveterate tourists even equipped the machines with a 220 volt converter!
Large wheels with tubeless tires (they also appeared for the first time in the USSR on the 407th) along with fairly soft suspensions (the rear - on long springs, although reinforced in comparison with Sedan springs) provide comfort even on a country side. A light steering wheel does not provoke a fast ride, as, indeed, the entire Moskvich.
Moskvich-423N
In the back seat, though not very spacious, but somehow particularly comfortable. In the back seat, though not very spacious, but somehow particularly comfortable.
Veteran riders will surely grin. After all, they rode the 407th both in the ring and in the rally, drove cars in all of their 60, or even 70 forces (up to such power they managed to force a 1.4-liter engine) - and nothing, they drove. Moreover, in the mountains - say, at the USSR Championship in Armenia.
However, a tourist with his wagon is much more than a refined controllability, cross-country ability and carrying capacity are important. With this, the 423rd is all right. The minimum clearance is 190 mm, and under the rear axle it is 200 mm. Well, from dirt or snow, in which case a car weighing 1030 kg and easy to push. Here, by today's standards, the turning radius is too big - 6 m. In general, not much more than modern compacts, but they are larger than Moskvich.
You feel some slowness of the 423rd just on rough terrain, where laying a large radius is sometimes especially uncomfortable. The carrying capacity is decent: according to the passport, if traveling alone, you can take 250 kg with you, and if the four of you - a centner. It's not bad too. To be honest, Moskvich was overloaded by tourists, and, first of all, summer residents, especially those who were fond of the garden. Cars suffered - though, they creaked with springs, and eventually lost their posture.
But the zealous owner, of course, monitored the health of the car - himself or with the help of a familiar mechanic. Car service in the USSR - exotic. However, falling into skillful and sensitive hands, cars served more than one generation, and sometimes survived to this day in good shape - like this bright station wagon.
Moskvich-423N
By modern standards, the trunk is small. The owners compensated for the lack of hidden compartments with a multitude of pockets in carefully placed seat covers. By modern standards, the trunk is small. The owners compensated for the lack of hidden compartments with a multitude of pockets in carefully placed seat covers.
SUN, AIR AND MOSCOW
To this day, "four hundred and twenty-third" has survived a little. They were made much less than standard sedans, and sometimes exploited more severely. And such cars as this one - unreconstructed, well preserved almost in its original form - will completely contradict.
The warmed-up motor flutters smoothly, without unpleasant extraneous sounds. The gears switch clearly, unless you need to get a little used to it. The transmission on the go howls exactly as it should. And the feeling is getting stronger: this is enough - a motor of 45 forces, quite decent for measured speeds and common sense of the brakes, a cramped, but surprisingly comfortable cabin, tent and camping utensils, a backpack, an almost unstressed chaise lounge and “Speedo”. I must admit that I am ready to go on this Moskvich to distant lands, for example, indeed, to the sea. Maybe it will also happen?
Moskvich-423N
