"Volga" - a car that was produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant, due to which the models are named after GAZ. The first car was released in 1956, the last was released in 2010. Volga models were used by ordinary citizens, in taxi services, as official cars in state institutions, some were made specially by order of organizations such as the KGB.
Car making
The first Volga is the GAZ-21 car, which first rolled off the assembly line in 1956. Even then, he began to constantly use in cinema, and to this day it can be found in modern films. Over time, many international festivals and exhibitions gave well-deserved rewards to cars of this brand. At that time, the car belonged to the premium class, but had an average cost, which allowed it to be purchased even by not very wealthy citizens of the Soviet Union.
Over time, it became clear that the most iconic and at the same time outstanding car is the Volga.
How did the story of the Volga begin?
The Volga car (the interior even in the first models was very convenient and comfortable), after a long period of development, appeared to potential buyers in a relatively updated form. At that time, the design and technical specifications of its predecessor - “Victory”, fully met the needs of contemporaries. However, by the 50s its design was outdated, and the issue with the engine remained unresolved - it lagged significantly behind the world's leading units in its characteristics. As a result, the development of a new machine began (this happened in 1953). A year later, the first Volga prototype rolled off the assembly line. Two types of gearboxes were developed for him - automatic and mechanics.
Technical innovations of the time
Considering the technical characteristics of the Volga car (the review of the car is more focused on its general changes), one can notice that among the interesting nuances there is a CSS. Thanks to the lubrication system, when you press a certain pedal, the oil is sent to the oil lines. The fact is that, being in a rural area, where basically one continuous off-road, the driver often cut off some of the suspension elements. CSS helped prevent such unpleasant moments. However, one of the significant drawbacks of the system was that it leaked, leaving traces of oil on the pavement. Over time, the use of the CSS was abandoned.
GAZ-23
It so happened historically that almost all the authorities of the USSR state went precisely to the Volga. Some specifications did not meet their requirements. Therefore, the manufacturer took into account each remark, as a result of which the produced Volga models experienced strong changes. By 1962, a 160-horsepower unit taken from the Seagull was installed on new machines. The automatic transmission and power steering were put in a special model GAZ-23, which was not available to the ordinary citizen of the country. This is due to the fact that the KGB became the customer of this model. The car weighed 100 kg more than the basic version. Its maximum speed is 160 km / h. Up to 100 km / h the car accelerates in just 16 seconds. There were no changes in the brake system.
GAZ-21: the first series
The Volga, a GAZ-21 model 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 that year, a total of 5 copies were released. Only in 1957 did large-scale production begin.
The number of models of the Volga brand, cars of the first series, for all years of production reached 30 thousand copies. Up to now, the Volga with the Star in the original configuration has not reached, most of the surviving cars are already the second or third series. This explains the demand and high fee for such a rarity.
The most noticeable feature of this series is that the instrument panel is equipped somewhat unusual - it was not finished with spraying or any material. In this state, she arrived until 1958. Some models were not monotonous, but this equipment was slightly more expensive.
GAZ-21: second series
Cars that were produced from 1958 to 1959 are popularly called "transitional", and those that were born in 1959-1962. - "the second series." The Volga models of the next generation had more external changes than internal ones. The wings took a different shape due to the increase in the size of the wheel arches. In principle, if you look closely, you will notice that the design of the GAZ-21 began to resemble a prototype of the 55th year. It cannot be said that the modernization of the car was completely stopped, but the changes were minor and not serious - the technical characteristics did not change, the appearance of the cabin remained the same.
The reflectors, the updated instrument panel and other innovations appeared only closer to 1959. If we count all the models that were released (and all the configurations), then we can say for sure that more than 140 thousand copies came off the assembly line.
GAZ-21: third series
To conduct restyling of the first generation, the manufacturer did not consider it a rational decision, so the car appeared before the viewer in a slightly transformed version. The characteristic of the Volga has not changed much - only the bumpers and the body have changed; some decoration elements have been added.
Over time, the appearance of the car underwent significant changes. The models, called the “third series”, began to roll off the assembly line after 1962, and they were not much reminiscent of 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 Volga GAZ-24 series was steel bumpers, which had a chrome-plated table of numbers, bodies, rear lights with reflectors, sofa seats, consisting of 3 parts, doors, or rather their panels, with a picture in the vertical position, the instrument panel in black, covered with leather substitute.
The manufacturer constantly subjected the car 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 tape speedometer was replaced with a standard arrow.
GAZ-24: second series
The Volga GAZ-24 car underwent major changes during 1976-1978. The release of the car with these modifications can be called the release of the second series.
Bumpers of the new generation received “fangs”, headlights suitable for driving in foggy places, lights with reflectors. Inside, there have also been changes. The metal elements, which in one way or another posed a threat to the health of passengers, were covered with a protective plastic overlay; a picture in horizontal orientation appeared on the doors. The manufacturer added static belts, as a result of which the armrests had to be removed. The seats received a new (improved) upholstery in the GAZ-24 models. The Volga, a second-generation car, was produced for several years - until 1985.
GAZ-24: third series
The output of the third series was marked by new modernizations that were more radical and substantial. The next generation of the car - GAZ-24-10 - appeared on the market in the mid-1980s.
This time, the manufacturer considered it necessary to gradually introduce new products. The process of complete change took place from the 1970s, when the radiator grille was changed , until 1987. By the last year, an updated sedan was already produced, which combined several designs of previous versions of Volga cars at once. The car acquired the name (unofficial) GAZ-24M.
The third series included not only the above model, but also the GAZ-2410. This option was used to discuss state institutions: hospitals, schools, etc. It was developed almost from 1976, while it was implemented 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 produced until 1992 and then was replaced by almost the same assembly, but under the name GAZ-31029. The difference between them was only in the type of unit and the shape of the body.