Volga
The first post-war five-year plan died down, the Gorky Automobile Plant was stamping Victory with might and main, and work was underway in the bowels of the GAZ design department to create its successor, the GAZ-21 Victory II. Designer Lev Yeremeyev presented a plaster model similar to a shortened winter. But a much more radical parallel project called "Star", which John Williams was involved, looked much more radical. His "victorious" successor looked like a fastback with fins behind. Nevertheless, the work of Yeremeyev was much closer to the technological capabilities of the plant, and since 1953 all the efforts of artists have focused on it.
Star
A project drawn by John Williams to replace Victory. Then it was still called “Star”. A project drawn by John Williams to replace Victory. Then it was still called “Star”.
Star
Since the car was designed for the harsh conditions of Soviet reality, the design features of the future Volga were full of contradictions. For example, the spring rear and pivot linkage front suspension coexisted with a supporting body, an all-aluminum engine, an automatic transmission, a composite driveshaft and centralized lubrication of the nodes.
1956
all three episodes of the legendary "21st" car, named Volga: 1956 … all three episodes of the legendary "21st" car, named Volga: 1956 …
1959
… 1959th … … 1959th …
1962
… and 1962 … and 1962
By 1953, the general style of the future car, inspired by American fashion, and the name “Volga” were determined. Running prototypes of the 21st Volga (1954 - 1955) looked almost the same as serial cars. With the exception of the front end, a one-piece stamped steel sheet with vertical slots gave way to three horizontal beams, decorated with a drop-shaped thickening with a star. And already on the hood of the prototypes the figure of a galloping deer settled.
In 1956, the Volga GAZ-21-M (Molotovets) saw the light of day. The first series of cars (until November 1958) was partially equipped with a “Pobedovskiy” lower-valve engine, bored to a volume of 2.42 L (GAZ-21G) - the plant did not manage to master the new aluminum engine. The earliest cars were equipped with automatic gearboxes.
From the end of 1958 - the beginning of 1959, the Volga was restyled, the most noticeable part of which was the return to the historical appearance of the front of the car. The engine in the second series was only the overhead valve GAZ-21, a small number of cars of the second series again received automatic transmissions. At the very end of the release of this variety appeared a prototype of the Volga with a station wagon - GAZ-22. Cars and the first release, and the second could be painted in two colors.
But the most ambitious modernization occurred with the 21st Volga in the spring and summer of 1962, when the third series appeared. Externally, these machines are distinguished by a whalebone grille with 36 slots, less wavy bumpers, the absence of fangs and the famous deer figurine. The third series was created under the motto "more clean lines, less chrome." In the struggle to reduce the cost of production, two-tone painting and AKP went into oblivion.
The twenty-first Volga lasted on the assembly line until June 15, 1970, when it was completely replaced by the 24th model. In order to understand how this car appeared and why it turned out just like that, you need to imagine our country and the Gorky Automobile Plant in the mid - late 60s.
Sketches
At the stages of the first mock-ups, the future car gravitated to the "Muscovite" forms At the stages of the first mock-ups, the future car gravitated to the "Muscovite" forms
Moskvich
At that time, cars of the third post-war generation traveled with might and main, having gone far ahead of their predecessors in style and characteristics. This appeared in 1964 "Moskvich-408" with a 50-horsepower engine and advanced design. In 1967, he was paired with an even more advanced Moskvich-412 - a high-speed car and by the standards safe. And at the very end of the decade saw the light of the "top" of the domestic auto industry - semi-licensed VAZ-2101.
Thus, in spite of the fact that the well-developed and currency-bearing GAZ-21 was recognized even abroad, foreign dealers transparently hinted that it was time to do something with the exterior of the car.
GAZ-13 "The Seagull"
Yuri Danilov already reduced the GAZ-13 Gull that existed at that time (in the photo below) to the size of the Volga. But the graphics of the “American scope”, shrunk to the size of the Central European class and also rapidly becoming obsolete, turned out to be awkward. The already existing GAZ-13 “Seagull” Yuri Danilov reduced (in the photo below) to the size of the Volga. But the graphics of the “American scale”, shrunk to the size of the middle European class and also rapidly becoming obsolete, turned out to be awkward
Prototype
Prototype
1960 Yeremeyev Project 1960 Yeremeyev Project
The minds of artists of the early 60s were strongly influenced by the American industrial exhibition of 1959 in Sokolniki. The young designer Yuri Danilov presented a project similar to Seagull. Layout Danilov can be considered the first starting point in the history of the GAZ-24. In 1960, two advanced projects were prepared by Eremeev (author of the 21st Volga) and Tsikolenko. Both continue to gravitate to the "Tchaikovsky" baroque forms. Two years later, Yeremeyev’s project becomes an enlarged Moskvich, straightforward and concise, but unoriginal. At this point, a fateful decision is made - to reduce the height of the body, put below the driver and passengers, increase the base. That is, to make the new car more "flat."
Sketch
In 1962, Vladimir Nosakov proposed the M-27 project, solid but elegant. In 1962, Vladimir Nosakov proposed the M-27 project, solid but elegant.
Sketches
At the stages of the first mock-ups, the future car gravitated to the "Muscovite" forms At the stages of the first mock-ups, the future car gravitated to the "Muscovite" forms
By 1963, a new project was prepared by Tsikolenko and Kireev. On this model, for the first time, you can see the famous “24th” vents with beveled corners from the bottom and fully-stamped doors without a separate window frame. The long and painful process suddenly ended with the fact that on the eve of 1964 Tsikolenko and Kireev, locked in a workshop, fashioned a completely new machine in just two weeks - devoid of pretentiousness, with neat surface transitions and, most importantly, original.
Designers
At the beginning of January 1964, the thirty-year-old designer Tsikolenko presented their creations at the artistic council … At the beginning of January 1964, the thirty-year-old designer Tsikolenko presented their creations at the artistic council …
Yuri Dolmatovsky
… and almost twice the senior authoritative Eremeev. Almost all the plant managers supported the conservative version of the venerable designer, but the legendary designer Yuri Dolmatovsky, who specially arrived from Moscow, immediately began discussing the project of the young artist and finally insisted on the victory of Tsikolenko’s car! … and almost twice the senior authoritative Eremeev. Almost all the plant managers supported the conservative version of the venerable designer, but the legendary designer Yuri Dolmatovsky, who specially arrived from Moscow, immediately began discussing the project of the young artist and finally insisted on the victory of Tsikolenko’s car!
Vladimir Nosakov
Vladimir Nosakov, the head of the passenger division of GAZ and also an excellent artist, remembers everything about creating the 24th model! Vladimir Nosakov, the head of the passenger division of GAZ and also an excellent artist, remembers everything about creating the 24th model!
Initially, four different types of power units were supposed to settle under the hood of the GAZ-24 Volga: the familiar four-cylinder in-line, two versions of the 6-cylinder V-engines, the Tchaikovsky V8 and the promising in-line 4-cylinder diesel engine. But the Zavolzhsky Motor Plant, which was built at the beginning of production of the 21st model, which was transferred to all engine production from GAZ, frankly could not cope with the new program. As a result, the 24th Volga was in most cases equipped with a descendant of the 21st engine - an inline four with a volume of 2.4 liters and power, depending on the compression ratio, from 85 to 95 hp. Like its predecessor, no other gearbox has appeared serially on the 24th, except for the textbook mechanical four-step. Developed for the machine "automatic" for the V6 engine and an exotic three-stage "mechanics" with a lever on the steering wheel and automatic overdrive - all this remained only on paper.
Sketch
Prior to the approved version, there were fluctuations regarding headlights and decorative elements. Between two rectangular, four round small ones … Before the approved version there were fluctuations concerning headlights and decorative elements. Between two rectangular, four round small …
Sketch
… and the two large large ones chose the latter - as the most expressive and concise … and the two large large ones chose the latter - as the most expressive and concise
Factory documents for the new Volga were ready by 1965, production could be launched in 1966. Why, then, for the next five-year period was she destined for a “red light”? Behind the wall of the passenger experimental design department were the military specialists of the plant. Trucks and military equipment were the main GAZ products of that time. And in the yard is the Arab-Israeli war. The USSR provided support to the Arabs, primarily the BTR60P. According to factory terminology, this armored car is called GAZ-49, and the plant's forces were thrown at its release, as well as at the development of its successor BTR70. During the period from 1965 to 1970, a total of less than 400 GAZ-24 small-volume units were assembled. And only in July 1970, the new GAZ-24 Volga replaced the 21st model on the conveyor line.
GAZ-24
Remember the Volga: is this a small-sized apartment? Remember the Volga: is this a small-sized apartment?
The new Volga was well received. The car went into series, flashed on the streets of the capital. I liked the country - it looked modern, drove comfortably. The status of the plant rose markedly in the eyes of officials from the state apparatus. They dreamed about it unsuccessfully - most of the machines before perestroika were distributed only among organizations. Only a select few could buy it for private use. She was gifted with astronauts and in the form of a reward they were allowed to purchase famous artists.
Volga
BTR70
BTR70 delayed the release of the 24th in a large series for five years BTR70 delayed the release of the 24th in a large series for five years
Not intended for private sale, the Volga was designed from the very beginning as a car for various services. The taxi version GAZ-24-01 (2) differed from the basic one by a deformed motor, a washable dermatin upholstery and a taximeter with a "green light". On the basis of the station wagon 24–02, an ambulance was produced (3). In its body, a partition was installed behind the front row, a stretcher for the patient and a medical staff seat were placed. Serially produced also were a “taxi” station wagon 24–04 and a gas balloon taxi 21–07.
In the mid-80s, body stamps were completely worn out. But the new model 3102, which was prepared initially to replace the “twenty-four” (and by no means parallel release!), Vetoed, saying: “We will not allow taxis to ride on a general's car!”
GAZ-31029
In 1992, together with a changing country, the age of the wonderful 24th car almost ended ingloriously. Instead of replacing the aging model 24 with a much more promising 31st GAZ, it was first forced to saturate the same “twenty-four” with 31 already worked out parts (creating 24-10), and then completely turn the 31st body into a repulsive even outwardly absurd "Little man" 31029 In 1992, together with a changing country, the age of the wonderful 24th car almost ingloriously ended. Instead of replacing the aging model 24 with a much more promising 31st GAZ, it was first forced to saturate the same “twenty-four” with 31 already worked out parts (creating 24-10), and then completely turn the 31st body into a repulsive even outwardly absurd "Little man" 31029
The result was a compromise GAZ-31029. The body is 3102, but the gas tank behind the back of the rear seat was not suitable for the station wagon and gas equipment for taxis. Therefore, they returned the tank between the side members in the trunk floor, and so as not to tease the generals, they made a quiet plumage in front, coupled with a simple black plastic grille and optics from Moskvich-2141.
GAZ-3102
GAZ-3102 GAZ-3102
But all this will happen later, after 20, 30 and 40 years.
GAZ-3110
Well, models 3110 and 31105 have not yet become history - every day we see them on the roads Well, models 3110 and 31105 have not yet become history - every day we see them on the roads
GAZ-31105
GAZ-31105 GAZ-31105
