The second generation Zaporozhets was a very popular passenger car in the Soviet Union since the late 60s. A series of two basic models - ZAZ-966 and ZAZ-968 - because of the characteristic shape of the side air intake pipes went down in history under the "popular" name "Eared Zaporozhets".

At the end of 1960, the Zaporozhye automobile plant "Kommunar", recently redesigned from an agricultural engineering plant, produced the first production cars "Zaporozhets" of the first generation ZAZ-965. This model was developed not in Zaporozhye, but in Moscow: the body at MZMA, the engine at NAMI. The entire 1961 was spent on mastering and adjusting the conveyor production of these machines. In the meantime, the Design Bureau began work on a new model, the first original development of ZAZ. The chief designer of the plant at that time was an experienced engineer from GAZ, Yuri Naumovich Sorochkin, who participated in the creation of GAZ-M1, GAZ-M20 and other famous Gorky models. He gave the young team "carte blanche" to develop a promising family of cars.

Interestingly, according to Terms of reference not a single model was planned, but a whole series of cars for various purposes, which inherited from the ZAZ-965 a rear-engine layout, an independent suspension of all wheels: on a pair of transverse torsion bars in front and a lever-spring rear. The family consisted of three modifications:

"Zaporozhets" ZAZ-966 is a passenger car with a two-door body of a classic three-volume shape, but dimensions and dimensions of the cabin increased in comparison with the ZAZ-965.

ZAZ-970 - a freight or utility vehicle of a wagon layout with an increased ground clearance, van, pickup and station wagon bodies.

ZAZ-971 - a car of a wagon layout with a simplified open body for the village and the army.

The design artist Viktor Danilov was responsible for the appearance of the bodies. In the 60s, a car that externally resembles the ZAZ-966 with a two-door body of a similar dimension was produced by the German automobile company NSU. This gave rise to a persistent myth that the "eared Zaporozhets" was allegedly "copied" from NSU Prinz. In the 2000s, the historian of the Soviet automotive industry Sergei Kanunnikov investigated this legend, interviewed ZAZ veterans and, as a result, completely refuted this "version".

First, the first prototypes of the future ZAZ-966 were built in 1961 even before the official debut of the NSU Prinz IV. Secondly, samples of NSU cars were not purchased by either ZAZ or US and were not tested in the USSR as "analogues" of any promising models. Third, in the production of the body passenger car the division of panels and amplifiers, the technology of stamping all parts separately and welding of the entire body as a whole play an important role. For example, when developing the ZAZ-965 body, MZMA designers deliberately repeated the division of parts, the technology of stamping and welding of the body of the Italian small car FIAT-600, but at the same time they made restyling, partially changing the external design. The shape and nature of the division of body parts, as well as the production technology of the ZAZ-966 and NSU Prinz IV vehicles, have nothing in common. These cars have completely different geometry of windows, doorways, underbody, hood and trunk lids, rear panel.

Nevertheless, the external similarity of the Zaporozhets and NSU cars has an explanation. In the early 60s, the American chevrolet car Rear-engined Corvair. A sample of such a machine was tested in the USSR at NAMI. Both ZAZ and NSU were guided by the design style of this car, but two reservations must be made here. Firstly, the Corvair is a much higher class car, it is close in size to the Volga, and is equipped with a 2.5-liter 6-cylinder engine. Secondly, if the NSU engineers really tried to create the Corvair, reduced to the dimensions popular in Europe, then at ZAZ they tried to give their future model maximum personality traits, repeating only the general style. The lower rib of the sidewall rigidity, the very "ears" of the air intake, the decorative grille in the front made the ZAZ-966 unique, and, for example, the round taillights "fit" into one of the trends of automotive design of the 60s.

The final version of the ZAZ-966 was not formed immediately. The first prototypes differed in the shape of the glazing, side windows and reduced headlights from the ZAZ-965 were installed on them, there were alternative designs for the shape of the front trunk and rear. Later, they were looking for body proportions. The ZAZ-966 body acquired its future serial appearance around 1965.

Officially, the serial production of the ZAZ-966V began on December 31, 1966. In the spring of 1967, "new Cossacks" were already on sale in a Moscow car store in the Yuzhny Port. But, for example, in June of the same year, there were statements in the press that the volumes of production and supplies of "new Zaporozhtsev" were significantly lower than planned. The plant was just perfecting the production technology of the new model, and the bulk of the Zaporozhtsev produced until May 1969 were the usual "humped" ZAZ-965.

Initially, the second generation Zaporozhets had a 27 hp engine with a working volume increased from 746 to 887 cm 3. It received the MeMZ-966 index, and was introduced to the ZAZ-965 already in 1963. Tests have shown that if such a motor is ideal for a "humped" one, then for a larger "eared" one, whose curb weight has increased by 120 kg, 27 hp. still not enough. Even before the start of serial production of the ZAZ-966, a new V-shaped engine was developed. air cooling volume of 1198 cm 3 with a capacity of 40 hp. MeMZ-968. In parallel, experiments were carried out to install an in-line engine on the ZAZ-966 liquid cooling from "Moskvich-408". The first releases of the "new Zaporozhets" were equipped with the same 27-horsepower engine. The Melitopol Motor Plant managed to produce the first batch of 40-horsepower engines only in 1968, another year was spent on mastering their mass production. A car with a 40 hp engine assigned the index of the base model ZAZ-966, and the "compromise" 27-strong version - the modification index ZAZ-966V. Thus, ZAZ-966V appeared in mass production and became widespread much earlier than ZAZ-966.

The ZAZ-966, like the ZAZ-965, had several modifications for disabled people, and the design of all special wheelchair control levers did not change compared to the previous model. Throughout the years of production, ZAZ refined the production technology of the "new Zaporozhets" and replaced some components, so ZAZ-966 had a lot of "modernized" and "transitional" options, differing in small minor details. In 1971, the ZAZ-968 car was officially presented, which was the same ZAZ-966 with another set of minor changes. In 1972-1973, the plant produced transitional "Zaporozhtsy", which were various combinations of parts ZAZ-966 and ZAZ-968. Since January 1973, all cars began to be designated by the ZAZ-968 index, and the following 1974, the Zaporozhets carried out a restyling of the front end, replacing the decorative grille with an arrow-shaped molding.

Zaporozhians ZAZ-966 starred as game cars in films of different decades: "Taming the Fire", "Hello Doctor!", "Mimino", "Live Broadcast", "Raising Cruelty in Women and Dogs."

A total of about 270 thousand "Zaporozhtsev" with the index ZAZ-966 were manufactured. The surviving cars are still not uncommon. The Museum presents"Zaporozhets" ZAZ-966 1971 with a 40-horsepower engine.

Technical specifications

The car "Zaporozhets" is a passenger car, which was produced by the Zaporozhye plant "Kommunar", better known as ZAZ. The world-famous name united the release of two generations of vehicles, which were similar in some technical characteristics. Moreover, for a certain period of time they gathered at the same time. A little later, the production of the initial models was stopped.

The history of the car "Zaporozhets" begins in 1960. The first generation is dated 1960-1969. During this period, the ZAZ-365 and ZAZ-365A models were produced. The second generation is represented by the ZAZ-368 and 368M line. It was produced from 1966 to 1994.

The main difference between Zaporozhets cars is their special design. They were all two-door sedans, the engine was introduced carburetor type, and the suspension mounted on the wheel axles was independent in all cases.

ZAZ-965 / 965A

The main modification called ZAZ-965 was produced for nine years from 1960. This car "Zaporozhets" has a prototype from which the main body design was taken, as well as some technical aspects (we are talking about the steering wheel, suspension, gearbox). However, unlike the original model, which is the progenitor, the basic structure has been redesigned and the engine has been rebuilt from scratch.

The car has 4 seats, including the driver's seat. Front and rear glass able to interchange each other. The doors have an excellent mechanism that allows the doors to be opened backwards. The power unit that received this car "Zaporozhets" was a novelty for the world car industry, as it was used quite rarely. It is a 4-cylinder engine with special air cooling. It should be noted that it is located at the back, not in front. The rear wheels became the driving wheels. The described model ZAZ-365 was produced for export and disabled people.

The next model ZAZ-965A was distinguished by its engine: its volume was 887 m³, and its power was 27 liters. from. Instead of two mufflers, the car received only one, and the moldings on the sidewalls were removed.

ZAZ-966/968 / 968A

After the release of the first generation was fully debugged, the development of the next modification began. It happened in 1961. The prototype from which it was created new model, appeared in the autumn of the same period. However, the fabulous plans of the plant were prevented by the economic situation of the enterprise (there was not enough finance), and the fact that the working team had little experience had a strong impact. Moreover, all the elements that were added to the model became borrowed from other copies, in particular from foreign ones.

Serial production of the ZAZ-966 lasted from 1966 to 1972. At the same time, at first, only the so-called transitional model, which was called 966B, left the assembly line. Its disadvantage was that the engine was designed for 1.2 liters, and its power was 30 liters. from.

The car "Zaporozhets" 968 practically did not differ from the 966 model. Its main feature among all available is an improved engine version and a slightly modified control panel. The manufacturer constantly released an upgraded version of the machine. The changes were minimal, but in a few years (already by 1978) the car acquired completely the new kind... The ZAZ-968A car was a representative of these copies. It has improved the security system, brakes, instrument panel. The latter was also used in such a vehicle as the ZAZ-968M car.

"Zaporozhets" 968M

The model with the "M" index went into production in 1979. It was she who closed the leading era of the Cossacks. This car was equipped with engines of 28, 41, 45 and 50 horse power... The second option was the most common.

It differed from the main model “M” by its exterior and interior. The design was completely different. The number of chrome parts has decreased, while plastic, on the contrary, has increased. Due to the fact that the cooling system of the power unit was changed, the "ears" were no longer installed on the body. This model became the one that domestic manufacturer waited so long - it did not overheat. However, with the elimination of such a minus, another one was added. The air duct box began to clog, and its tightness was broken too quickly.

This particular car "Zaporozhets" became the most popular. It was he who could be found at one time most often on the roads. This model was also available for disabled people.

"Zaporozhets" for export

Together with models for the domestic market, the Zaporozhye plant produced copies for export. Depending on which market this or that car was sent to, the name changed. There was "Yalta" (Jalta, Yalta) and "Eliette" (Eliette). Such names were invented because for European people the word "Zaporozhets" is difficult for both perception and pronunciation. Export options differed from authentic copies in an improved level of noise insulation. There were also installed rear-view mirrors, radio, lining.

Sales were carried out through Finnish and Belgian companies. No more than 5 thousand copies were sold per year.

Jokes about "Zaporozhets"

The engine of the car "Zaporozhets" often deteriorated. However, this was not due to a factory defect, as the owners of the car so vehemently argued. All problems arose from improper care of the vehicle. Also, jokes appeared because of the engine under the rear hood and its small size.

However, it should be noted that at that time "Zaporozhets" was a car that was no different from imported models its category in technical characteristics... And therefore, the constant bullying of him, in fact, was inappropriate. It should be noted that the same cars of the brand "Fiat", "Renault", "Volkswagen" became for their people the property and symbol of the corresponding era.

The most common joke was that the Zaporozhets was a humpbacked car. We are talking about the ZAZ-965 model, which had a specific body. She was also nicknamed "armored car". Other models with indexes 966 and 968 are popularly nicknamed "eared" and "cheburashka", respectively. Their names came from the cooling system. The soap dish is the 968M model. People noted its similarity to this item due to the lack of air intakes. After the collapse, a lot of anecdotes appeared that told about accidents involving "Zaporozhets" and "Mercedes".

Engine

In various modifications, the engine had a capacity of 41 to 50 hp. from. At the same time, he made a fairly loud rumble during work. The unit is capable of operating for about 40-50 km, but this is more to blame for consumers who do not follow what kind of fuel "absorbs" their car. However, this is the main plus of the engine. If imported options are able to die in such conditions after a short period of time, then "Zaporozhets" will serve faithfully for a very long time. Installed "air vents" were designed for a volume of 1.2 liters.

Transmission

First time new transmission works well, but over time the traction looses and the 4-speed gearbox starts to malfunction. A common problem it is difficult to switch between speeds, which already leads to the creation of an emergency on the road. When buying, each buyer had to discuss this nuance with the seller.

There are several versions about the year of foundation of the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant. The factory workers themselves are accustomed to consider the date of creation of the plant in 1863, when the Dutchman Abraham Coop created a plant for the production of agricultural machinery. Another option is 1908, when the Melitopol Motor Plant (MeMZ) was founded, which in 1960 began to supply its engines to ZAZ. Another date is 1923, when the former plant of Abraham Koop was renamed into Kommunar. However, the direction of the enterprise's activity remained until 1960 - the production of agricultural machinery.

And so, probably, until now the Kommunar plant would have been producing hay-mowers and harrows, if one day Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev hadn’t got the idea to overtake the United States in terms of the number of cars per capita. True, unlike America, our car (like an apartment) should be small. Well, Khrushchev didn't like big things!

And the choice fell on the "Fiat" novelty FIAT-600. Initially, the car was planned to be assembled at the MOSKVICH plant and that is why the MZMA Design Bureau took over the development of the car, which together with the NAMI Automobile Institute developed the so-called Moskvich-444, which was later renamed Moskvich-560. But by the decision of the board of the State Planning Committee in connection with the congestion of the MOSKVICH plant, it was decided to start production at the Kommunar plant in Zaporozhye.

And on November 22, 1960, the enterprise released the first batch of "ZAZ-965" popularly called "Humpbacked" for its original body shape.

Almost immediately after the release of the "hunchback" design bureau of ZAZ began to develop a new car "ZAZ-966", which has a completely new body.

However, its production was delayed by the allied leadership, perhaps for economic reasons: it was considered wasteful to put a new model on the assembly line just a year after the release of the previous one. Therefore, "ZAZ-966" was published only six years later.

It was a typical 'rectangular' sedan of the 1960s, featuring side air intakes. The people immediately called them "ears", and the car itself "eared". So the era of ZAZ "hunchback" was replaced by a long era of his even more anecdotal "eared" heir.

Its engine was also located at the rear. In the beginning it was the 30-horsepower MeMZ-966A, which was installed on the latest modifications of its "humped" predecessor. Then the 40-strong MeMZ-966V appeared, which made it possible to accelerate the car to a speed of 120 km / h on a straight track. True, in practice, not everyone achieved it, and fines for speeding by the Zaporozhets were really so rare that they were regarded as an anecdote.

The model underwent a more serious alteration in 1979-1980. "ZAZ-968M" became the last domestic car with an engine located in the rear compartment - but also the longest-lived, as it was produced until 1994. Having lost its "ears", replaced by simple grilles, the car received the nickname "soap dish" - for its already outdated and too simple design. But for her later, more powerful engines: MeMZ-968GE (45 hp) and MeMZ-968BE (50 hp).

Perhaps further modernization of the model would have allowed to create something interesting, but in the 1990s the opinion prevailed that the Zaporozhians were a disgrace to the Ukrainian car industry. And the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant concentrated on the production of "TAVRIA".

In November 1963, the 29-year-old engineer Vladimir Steshenko brought the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a front-wheel drive minicar to ZAZ. The new chief designer "infected" her first design bureau, and then the leadership of the entire association. Steshenko himself was imbued with the idea of \u200b\u200bfront-wheel drive after meeting the famous Mini. The Ukrainian designer was especially impressed by the fact that this modest "box" Mini is exclusively due to front wheel drive, as well as the engine deployed across and pushed forward, completely defeated all competitors in the 1962 rally. And including the Porsche 911, Fiat Abarth 600 and Volkswagen 1200L.

By 1976, two more prototypes were created - a sedan with front-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive hatchback. These two options formed the basis for "Perspektiva" (this is how the TAVRIA car was called then in the design bureau). In 1980, the creation of the car was completed and it took 7 long years to bring the design idea to life. And only in 1988 the full production of this car was started. On the basis of the developed "TAVRIA" a car in the body of a sedan was created, which received the name "SLAVUTA".

Experimental developments of ZAZ that were not put into mass production deserve a separate word.

In 1961, under the leadership of Yu.N. Sorochkin, in parallel with the development of the 966th machine, an experimental ZAZ-970 truck with a carrying capacity of 350 kg was designed.

In fact, the car was a kind of search layout work. The car was nicknamed "Sharpener" by the factory workers and, unlike the subsequent cars of the 970th family, had a small hood.

In 1962, along with the ZAZ-970B van, a six-seater minibus (according to the current classification - minivan) ZAZ-970V was created. The seats of the second and third rows were designed to be foldable, so the car was, in fact, a cargo-passenger - with the two rear seats folded, it could carry 175 kg of cargo, and with two rows of seats folded - 350 kg of cargo.

Like the ZAZ-970B van, the engine protruded into the cabin with a noticeable "hump", which is why the two third-row seats were separate and placed at a noticeable distance from each other - between them there was a service hatch for access to the engine. Unlike a van, a ventilation hatch in the roof was provided in the minibus, and there was only one door for entering and exiting passengers - on the starboard side.

At the end of the 70s of the twentieth century, ZAZ was considered as one of the options for expanding the model range produced at that time - the "Taxi" project. An in-plant competition was announced for best car of this type.

One of the options-winners of the competition was a car on the units of a promising "Tavria" and its length did not exceed 3.5 meters. The driver's location is noteworthy - above the left front wheel, while the engine was supposed to be placed to the right of it.

During 1990-1992, an unusual modification of the base ZAZ-968M was produced - the ZAZ-968MP pickup.

It should be noted right away that pickups of a similar design were produced by ZAZ, like any car plant, always for its own internal plant needs (a typical example is ZAZ-965P). However, the ZAZ-968MP, which got into the series, is nothing more than an attempt by the plant to offer the market its own in-plant pickup in the early 90s of the twentieth century as a delivery vehicle.

In fact, the ZAZ-968MP was made according to the slipway-bypass technology - at the rejected or even conditioned (depending on the demand for pickups in a particular period) ZAZ-968M body, the rear of the cab was cut off and the rear wall with a window was welded behind the front seats. The rear seat was not placed, the resulting niche was the cargo compartment.

But the experience was unsuccessful and after the reduction in production of this car, the ZAZ-968M was also discontinued.

Another global change in Zaporozhye took place in 1998, when a Ukrainian-Korean joint venture with foreign investment was registered in the form of CJSC AvtoZAZ-DEU. and SKD began daewoo cars Lanos, Daewoo Nubira and Daewoo Leganza are the first models of the Korean company created by their own specialists.

History vehicle LANOS (supplied to Russia under the CHANCE brand) is very interesting. This front-wheel drive car, designed by ItalDesign, was first shown back in 1997. In 2002, Daewoo showed a new model called Kalos (in Russia it changed its name, which was incongruous for the Russian ear, to AVEO), but Lanos continued to exist! In 1998, the production of this car was launched in Poland and Ukraine.

And now, for almost 10 years, this car has been one of the best-selling foreign cars in Russia, having proven itself as a workhorse for taxi fleets, courier services, traffic police, and enterprises that use it as a "traveling" car.

In 2003, the plant in Zaporozhye again changed its form of ownership and became a closed joint-stock company with foreign investment Zaporozhye Automobile Building Plant. Now 50% of the enterprise is owned by UkrAvto and another 50% - by the Swiss company Hirsch & Cie.

Since 2004, in addition to the ZAZ and Daewoo models, directly on Zaporozhye plant mastered the full-scale production of VAZ-2107, 21093 and 21099 cars, which are still being produced.

An interesting project in the development of the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant was the Opel project.

On March 25, 2003 in Kiev, a cooperation agreement was signed between Ukravto, ZAZ CJSC and Adam Opel AG. According to the contract, the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant in the spring of 2003 began assembling Opel cars of the Vectra, Astra, and Korsa models from vehicle kits imported to Ukraine.

According to the admissions of the auto plants themselves, cooperation with the German auto concern taught the plant workers in German a clear approach to the quality of assembled cars. And, despite the fact that at the moment this cooperation has already been terminated for reasons of economic efficiency, the car manufacturers are still using the quality system, which they have mastered together with German partners.

In 2009, the Zaporizhzhya Automobile Plant started producing cars of the KIA concern at its facilities. Together with Korean partners, 2 models of the Korean concern are being produced at the facilities of ZAZ CJSC, these are KIA Cee "d and KIA Sportage.

But 2010 may become another major milestone in the history of the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant. In December 2010, a new model was delivered to the main conveyor of ZAZ, which will replace the most popular LANOS (in the Russian Federation since 2009 it has been presented as CHANCE).

On the basis of the Chinese Chery A-13, the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant began to produce cars under its own brand ZAZ-FORZA.

Automobile plants already had experience in assembling cars from China, in 2006 at the plant in Ilyichevsk, which is part of ZAZ CJSC, “pilot” lots of Chinese cars were assembled.

And in December 2010, a full-fledged assembly of a new car started on the ZAZ conveyor. It will be supplied not only to the domestic market of Ukraine, but also to The Russian Federation... Base, Comfort, Luxury versions will be presented in sedan and hatchback bodies. At the moment, the cars are undergoing certification tests at the test site in Dmitrov, near Moscow, and in mid-2011 they will already appear at dealerships.

The text of the article and photographs were provided by A.O. Kremlev. - the head of the marketing department of the car dealership "" authorized dealer COMPANY .

... but we probably had to face so much people's love for the first time. Let's face it, it is rather difficult to translate it into dry facts, but we tried.

Moreover, there are hunters to criticize this car, even despite the fact that the majority still treat it condescendingly, as not quite ordinary vehicle... And it is worth warning in advance: seasoned motorists, especially those familiar with ZAZ, this text will hardly teach anything new. But for those who have not caught the era of those machines, he may help to understand what it was automotive world more recently.

Hate # 5: the crap stove

Objectively speaking, the heater of the 968 is a serious engineering blunder, even by standards. soviet car industry 1970s. The heated Tosol in the air-cooled engine has nowhere to take, therefore, fuel was supplied to a cylindrical heat exchanger with a flame tube through a single thin line from the tank - and there it burned, thereby giving heat, supplied further to the cabin. The main line was often clogged, however, even if it was working properly, the "stove" instead of heat showed a fig already at near-zero temperature overboard.

But it doesn't matter. Firstly, a significant part of the owners operate these machines only in the summer. And secondly, many people transfer the heater to a coolant or otherwise improve it, because this is in the very nature of zazodov: if there is nothing to repair (well, suddenly), something needs to be improved. Therefore, this “hatred” is only in fifth place.

Love # 5: speed, speed, speed!

True story: on one Zaporozhets, a tire literally burst - a longitudinal hole 20 centimeters long spread right along the tread. The new tire had to wait a couple of months (it was in the early 1990s), and it was necessary to go to the neighboring city right now. The owner stitched up the tire with thick steel wire, assembled the wheel, and took off with four of his family members at their destination. A slight "lameness", turning into wild bouncing with increasing speed, and the spicy clatter of the wire on the asphalt did not prevent to gain speed of 120 km / h and arrive on time ... Now everyone sitting in the car would be considered crazy, including themselves, but then the effect produced I only made me more respect for the capabilities of the machine: "constipation" really fired, and sometimes carrying up to eight (!) people and a bunch of luggage. Despite the seemingly not at all powerful engine that gave the car most of it, and despite all the problems that he could throw ...

Hate # 4: a monster motor that bends everyone, starting with the owner

It seems that we, journalists, when describing the problems of "a little used" foreign cars, began to forget what a "capricious engine" is. The Zaporozhtsev engines (from the predecessor engine ZAZ-966 to the late "earless" variations of the ZAZ-968M, from 30 to 40 hp) were not just capricious, they severely punished those who treated them without due attention. In the simplest version, such a motor came in with its usual trump cards - it began to exude oil, at first it simply "sweated" from all sides through the gaskets, then "snot" with oil seals, and if this did not work, then simply gushing with oil and generously pouring it all around ...

In the more complex version, it lost compression and power for a dozen random reasons (coking rings, air leaks from the exhaust, etc.), and in the most hardcore mode, it sprayed gasoline directly onto its hot parts and flashed with cheerful Inferno. But if you constantly select spare parts, tune the engine compartment, keep the "monster" itself clean and, ideally, sleep with him (after divorcing his wife), it will evolve into a responsive, reliable and almost not prone to overheating (contrary to the stereotype) unit ...

Love # 4: phenomenal permeability

In addition, this monstrous V4, as you know, stands in the back, which gives the car a super-light steering wheel (a dubious advantage, but we will talk about steering below), and mainly loads the leading rear wheels... If you put at least just back the "toothy" wheels, then the hook, in combination with an almost flat bottom and independent suspension "in a circle", is enough to conquer very serious off-road. What is there, even purely summer tires "Zhuzhik" was knee-deep in any snow-covered fields of his Soviet Motherland. They crawled on it and through the muddy mud, flew over terrible bumps - he endured everything and drove everywhere ... And even if he still did not compete with all-wheel drive vehicles, he was definitely the most passable one-wheel drive car in the USSR.

Hate # 3: Weak Body

Allegedly, the increased propensity of the Zaporozhets body to corrosion is, again, for the most part a myth: it is unlikely that these cars rot more intensively than their contemporaries under similar conditions. Another thing is that these conditions are far from always similar: the Zaporozhian Cossacks were much more a "workhorse" of the Soviet man than a Moskvich or a Zhiguli, so both competent anticorrosive and even factory phosphating, to which the Zaporozhian bodies were subjected before priming and painting, lose ground over time.

But the big danger lies in the weak power structure: the luggage and engine compartments are, in fact, voluminous tin structures without special amplifiers, bumpers do not carry any power function, and the “cage” of the cabin bends to a significant distortion of the doors just when lifting on a jack. Significant damage even with tiny "urban" pokes forces many owners to weld whole power frames into the front and rear parts of the body. Suggest tuning!

Love # 3: smooth ride

Being noticeably smaller than Zhiguli or Moskvich, Zaporozhets, it seems, should have turned out less comfortable, but in terms of smoothness, paradoxically, it turned out to be a car half a step higher. This reason to love "pyrzik" continues the previous one: independent suspension in a circle (torsion bars in front, trailing arms and springs in the rear) gave the car not only the temperament of a rally-raid buggy, but also the smoothness of a limousine. And if there is an exaggeration here, then only a very small one - the same as the vibrations of a Zaporozhets body when passing broken rails at a half-station of the urban-type settlement. Dashing.

Hate # 2: ghost brakes

This is one more of the places of construction (not the last), where the "bad guy" taught its owner to discipline, attentiveness, punctuality, the development of the sixth sense and faith in higher powers. If you do not continuously make love with the brakes (pray that only platonic ones), they will “pacify” so that, appearing in the morning, they will completely disappear by the evening. The main problem is leaks of the chief and workers brake cylinders, finally defeated only in myths, and temporarily defeated by regular replacement of "rubber bands". In addition, after winter parking in the garage, you will probably have to pump the brakes in the name of getting rid of the air that has magically appeared in the system, but it will be possible to remove it for a period not exceeding a month.

To other problems like local wedging, zarzhivaniya and cracking it is worth adding the fact that the brakes for Zaporozhets, even when everything is in good order, because "by nature" they are deprived of a vacuum cleaner. And yes, yes, here the owner of ZAZ again turns into a tuning master - there are a lot of options to independently acquire a brake booster.

Love # 2: peerless maintainability

It's time to talk about this aspect of owning a Darth Seizer: there is nothing in this car that a pair of upright arms could not repair with the desire, an elementary tool and a pair of adaptations. There are known cases of complete restoration in the garage by one person and in just six months, after engine compartment "Bombarded" and "burnt" (see above) so that it burned out the entire engine, wiring and half of the interior. This car, like a wise sensei, was strict, but fair - and could teach you everything related to auto business. Fortunately, the owner always had at hand a sensibly compiled repair manual, and also had the help of neighbors in the garage or older comrades at his disposal.

Hate # 1: steering and suspension

“Here you have to pull the ball, though…”, a different senior comrade used to say and fell silent for a long time, pensively “pitching” at the garage door and looking at the attempts of his counterpart to somehow reduce the steering play. The tightening of the ball joints, the bulkhead of the worm-gear steering gear and other dances with a tambourine made it possible to briefly reduce the steering wheel free travel to 30 degrees, which was an almost unattainable ideal for the vast majority of owners who drove for years, habitually choosing a 90-degree play with every maneuver. Inattention to the balls also led to breakage steering knuckles, which made the front wheels a very sporty "house", but practically eradicated any handling.

Love # 1: endurance, capacity and readiness to carry anything

But this "almost twine" did not at all interfere with loading the "pyrzik" in the way that current commercial vans and pickups do not load. For many post-Soviet people, an indispensable childhood memory is trips to back seat "968" in the "company" with seedlings, apples or potatoes. A case of successful transportation of a driver, a passenger and 18 (!) Sacks of potatoes on a ZAZ-968M with a canonical roof rack is known for certain. Sometimes, of course, with such experiences, the "asshole" tore out the bottom in the area of \u200b\u200bthe front wheels attachment - the regular trunk, recall, is in front. But ... we slightly boiled our face - and drove on: six-meter boards, logs, electric supports, bricks, barrels, furniture, strollers, cots. He took out everything. He built us houses, apartments, dachas, raised our children. He asked for some new oil, a regularly flushed carburetor and adjusted breaker contacts. And he spent only 10-13 liters of a very inexpensive A-76 for a hundred kilometers.

***

One could say that these cars rarely go more than 150,000 kilometers - not that they completely "die", just for more, as a rule, the owner does not have enough patience and strength, even if he is not the first. One could also mention the wild noise in the cabin, about the doors that close only with a strong swing, about the transmission that does not like rudeness and inattention, about the cramped legs of the driver, or about the lack of basic amenities by today's standards. But such things against the background of how this car is generally “different”, from a different era and for other people is just nonsense. So let's enjoy a couple of statements from the owners of these cars. It seems that these comments quite accurately show the owners of the Zaporozhians themselves, and their time, and how quickly and imperceptibly it is leaving us.

My mountain eagle gazed into the distance, proudly and at ease towered on jacks intended for conservation. Despite the new rubber bands sticking out from the bottom of the car, painted suspension arms, as well as a high seating position and washed "evil" tires, his appearance was again associated with a yard cat, who recently lost a battle for a piece of territory. And although he was tired of life, and I was tired of him, we both looked into the immensity blue sky with hope and optimism, because half a year will pass, and dangerous and exciting adventures will await us again. Which, however, will begin only after we overcome no less exciting and unforgettable adventures, now associated with plumbing, welding and painting.

Looking back, you understand how the demands and needs of a person grow as they are realized. The neighbor's Zaporozhets seemed quiet, fast (30 hp) and spacious. Over the years, his own did not seem so. When a neighbor bought a VAZ-2104, his car seemed to be the height of technical progress. Now it is not clear how one can drive a "classic". The machines are getting better and better, but the requests are getting cooler and cooler too. You read reviews and comments - and you understand that you will never please a person.

Zaporozhets (export designations for Western European countries - Yalta,
Eliette and ZAZ) - a brand of Soviet and Ukrainian rear-engined cars
especially small cars manufactured by the Kommunar plant in
the city of Zaporozhye (later - the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant, in 1960-1994, part of the AvtoZAZ production association).
In fact, two different generations were produced under the Zaporozhets brand
car models, connected by technical succession and for some time rolled off the assembly line in parallel:
- in 1960-1969 - the first generation, ZAZ-965 and since 1962 - ZAZ-
965A;
- in 1966-1994 - the second generation, ZAZ-966, ZAZ-966V, ZAZ-968,
ZAZ-968A and ZAZ-968M.
All Zaporozhets cars had a number of characteristic features
designs: rear-engine layout with longitudinal arrangement
cantilevered engine for rear axle and gearboxes in
within the wheelbase; body type "two-door sedan"; V-shaped
four-cylinder carburetor engine air cooled; independent suspension of all wheels; autonomous petrol interior heater.
All variants of "Zaporozhtsev" differed in the maximum degree of unification in units and assemblies with the army all-terrain vehicle TPK (a sanitary wheeled conveyor of the front edge, LuAZ-967). The same family included "civilian" all-terrain vehicles of the "LuAZ" brand - various modifications of the LuAZ-969.

ZAZ-965 / 965A.
The ZAZ-965 model was produced from 1960 to 1969. The main prototype
ZAZ-965 in relation to the general design of the body, partly - independent
the spring-loaded rear suspension, steering gear, transmission was a Fiat 600; nevertheless, already at the level of the first prototype, the Moskvich-444, the design of the car was significantly redesigned relative to Fiat, and the power unit was developed completely from scratch. The body is a four-seater, with interchangeable front and rear windows, welded front fenders. The doors (there are two of them) open back, not forward. The engine is a rare type in the global automotive industry, a four-cylinder V-shaped, air-cooled, located at the rear. Magnesium alloy crankcase and transmission. The driving wheels are rear. The car was also manufactured in export and disabled versions.
The ZAZ-965A model is distinguished by an engine with an increased working volume (887 cm3) and power (27 hp), one muffler (instead of two) and the absence of decorative molding on the sidewalls.

ZAZ-966/968 / 968A / 968M.
The development of the next generation "Zaporozhtsev" began almost immediately after the development of the first in production - in 1961, and prototypes
appeared by the fall of the same year. However, due to the lack of experience among the plant staff (the "965th" model was developed at MZMA in cooperation with NAMI) and also due to lack of funding, the production launch took many years, and the design of the final version was a collection of elements borrowed from various models of those years.
The ZAZ-966 model was in serial production from 1966 to 1972,
and for the first year, only the transitional modification 966B was produced with
an outdated 30-horsepower engine - production of the 1.2-liter 40-horsepower MeMZ-968 engine was ready only the next year.
ZAZ-968 has been produced since 1972. Initially, it did not have external differences from the "966", and its main feature was a slightly modernized MeMZ-968 engine (another carburetor) and a modified front panel (instead of stamped as a whole - the new instrument panel was assembled from individual elements). The model was constantly modernized, and by the end of production, in 1978, it was practically indistinguishable from the ZAZ-968A, which was produced in parallel and went into series in 1973 (according to other sources, in fact, production began only at the end of 1974) ZAZ-968A, which had an updated appearance and a number of design changes that improved safety: dual-circuit brakes, seat belts and a soft instrument panel, which was subsequently installed on the ZAZ-968M.
The next modification was the ZAZ-968M, which was produced from 1979 to 1994 - this machine completed the Zaporozhtsev model line. It also installed various power units with a working volume of 890 cm³ with a capacity of 28 liters. from. and 1.2 liters. with a capacity of 41 (the bulk of the machines), 45 or 50 liters. with .. From the ZAZ-968 model, it primarily differed in appearance and interior, there were fewer chrome parts and, in turn, more plastic appeared. "Ears" on the sidewalls of the body disappeared, as the cooling system was radically changed - this almost completely saved the car from overheating problems during normal operation, but added new ones - with the tightness of the air duct and clogging of its box. This version of "Zaporozhets" is the most widespread. Before ZAZ-968M, the air was sucked from the heads and cylinders by a fan, and then the hot air "cooled" the car generator.

Export options: Yalta / Jalta, Eliette.
As well as basic modifications cars "Zaporozhtsev", their export versions were also produced (including with a steering wheel on the right) - ZAZ-965E, ZAZ-965AE, ZAZ-966E, ZAZ-968E and ZAZ-968AE. Depending on the target market, they had the trade designation Yalta / Jalta (“Yalta”) or Eliette (“Eliett”), since the phonetics and transliteration of the word “Zaporozhets” is very difficult for European languages. Have compared to basic models improved consumer qualities. For example, models "965E" and "965AE"
differed from "965" and "965A" in improved noise insulation, the presence of an outside rear-view mirror on the left, an ashtray, a radio receiver, lining on the sides of the car and the lower edge of the trunk.
ZAZ-968E and ZAZ-968AE in quantities of up to 5,000 units per year were sold in
Europe through the Finnish company Konela and the Belgian Scaldia-Volga.

Jokes about "Zaporozhets".
Because of the bad technical condition the majority of "Zaporozhtsev"
caused mainly by owners' non-compliance with the rules maintenance, unusual rear-engined layout and small dimensions - ZAZ cars were quite often the object of jokes and anecdotes. It is also worth recognizing that in fact, the Zaporozhian Cossacks were not inferior to foreign counterparts of their time in most of their performance characteristics, and in this case the rumor was unfair to them. Moreover, in Europe, cars of the same class “Volkswagen Beetle”, “Renault 4CV”, “Fiat 500” and others are considered a national treasure and symbols of their era, and numerous replicas of them are produced.
So, ZAZ-965 was nicknamed "hunchback" for its characteristic body shape, as well as "Jewish armored car", ZAZ-966 and ZAZ-968 - "eared" or "Cheburashka" for the shape of the side air intakes of the cooling system, and ZAZ-968M "soap dish "For the similarity of the shape of the body that has lost its side air intakes (" ears ") with this object and the presence of cooling slots on the hood.
In post-Soviet times, there were many anecdotes about various accidents involving the driver of a "Zaporozhets" and a "new Russian" in a "600 Mercedes", as well as this car was sung by the famous Russian performer - Bogdan Titomir, with the song "A" Zaporozhets "- a car class "))

And from myself, the author of this post - I will add: I like this machine for the dynamics (it accelerates quite famously), simplicity, and pretty good cross-country ability. And I would even call this little car "desk" - because many newcomers learned on it, stealing it from their father's garage))