GabyIn OctoberIn 1960, the Zaporizhia Automobile Plant began production.The first “Zaporizhzhia” cars were produced. The vehicle was created based on the Italian FIAT 600 designed by Dante Giacosa.
“Foreign countries will help us.”
InIn 1955, a new “Moskvich-402” was released, which became a budget car, although it was still not affordable for many residents of the USSR. Therefore, in search of a solution, the authorities approved the production of experimental models: NAMII-031, NAMII-059, IMZ-A50 “Belka,” and GAZ-18. However, all these attempts turned out to be unsuccessful.
It was therefore decided to take an existing foreign car as a basis and modify it to suit local needs. Engineers began to “work their magic” on the small FIAT 600, which was in demand and an extremely lightweight vehicle. Based on this car, the model “Moskvitch-444” was created, but after some time, the technical documentation was transferred to the Zaporizhia enterprise “Komintern.”
18 is better than 25.
Specifically for this car, NAM engineers created an engine with a displacement of 746 cc and 4 cylinders, which proved to have successful characteristics. However, the engine was larger than the Fiat’s, so the engineers had to install it in the rear, which led to the formation of a hump, giving the “Zaporozhets” its amusing nickname among the people.
The cars were assembled at ZAZ, while the engines were processed at the Melitopol Motor Plant. Before the series production beganIn 1960, three experimental prototypes were presented, and after extensive and lengthy testing, they were approved by a government commission. Even more, the car was “tested” by the then General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev himself, and the experts concluded that such a car could go on sale.
The serial production of the ZAZ-965 began inIn 1960, with an initial price of 18,000 rubles. Of course, compared to the “Moscovich” and “Volga” models, which had price tags ranging from 25,000 to 50,000, the new model was significantly more advantageous.
The true “people’s” car
Soviet people immediately recognized the “Humpbacked” and began to buy it en masse. The car performed well in rural areas or off-road: even if the ZAZ-965 got stuck in snow or mud, it didn’t pose significant problems for passengers, as even two people could pull the car out of its predicament.
The “Zaporožets” could handle rough tracks left by trucks, something even the renowned GAZ-69 struggled with. Owners loved the ZAZ-965 for its excellent maneuverability, sturdy body, fuel efficiency, and ease of repair. A significant advantage was its most democratic price in the USSR.
