A very interesting car - LuAZ 1302, combining the most opposite features. It was in demand, but was not produced in the required volumes, it was distinguished by simplicity, unpretentiousness and fantastic cross-country ability, but it did not fall into the need of such a car. Born as a warrior, but could not find a place in peaceful life, even as a collective farmer. This situation developed every time when it became possible to use this car.
As often happened earlier in history, the military initiated the appearance of such a machine. The fighting in Korea in 1949-1953 revealed the need for a new type of car - the front edge conveyor (TPK). His task was to evacuate the wounded, delivering ammunition, and transporting light artillery. Yes, and for the airborne required an all-terrain vehicle, which allowed landing from the air without an additional cargo platform. And so the idea of a light floating all-terrain vehicle came up, which received the
LuAZ 967 index
, later renamed LuAZ 1302.
The initial version of the car was developed by US specialists. For the first sample, a fiberglass supporting body, independent suspension, front-wheel drive and a motorcycle engine were provided. However, the test results were negative, and specialists from the Zaporizhzhya plant were involved in the development of the second sample. As a result of their joint work, the LuAZ car, unusual for those times, was born.
He had
front-wheel drive, such a machine in the country at that time did not exist.
The rear axle was connected when overcoming off-road. The driver's seat was located in the middle, for passengers there were rear folding seats. Behind the driver’s back was a stretcher with two wounded men or a load of up to 750 kg. The car could float; when moving on water, the rowing effect of the wheels was used. The suspension of all wheels is an independent torsion bar, the rear axle had
a differential lock, the driver could use a
reduction gear.The LuAZ 967 car , the successor of which was the LuAZ 1302, had a very high cross. This was facilitated by a significant ground clearance (280 mm), wheel gears, and low vehicle weight. He could overcome rises up to 58 degrees, if necessary he could pull a load of up to 200 kg from a shelter with a winch (length 100 meters). Its dimensions (vertical) could be reduced, the car could be driven by the driver while lying down, while the windshield reclined forward.
In 1978, in Turin, at an international salon, the car was recognized as one of the ten best cars in Europe, however, it was manufactured in small volumes relative to existing demand, mainly for the army. Of course, he did not meet any standards for comfort and convenience. It can be compared with the first Willys, about the same. But for the residents of the village, and many of the townspeople of that time, who were not spoiled and not burdened with unnecessary comfort, it was a very popular car. Consumers tuned LuAZ on their own to the best of their understanding and used it in everyday life.
They tried to produce it more than once for rural residents, fishermen and tourists. But then there was not enough capacity, then the plans were not agreed upon, and then time passed. LuAZ 1302 was replaced by new, comfortable and high-speed cars, and this car, despite its advantages, was no longer needed by anyone. And the car is very interesting.