UAZ is a well-known brand not only in Russia, but also abroad. In recent years, the main focus of the Ulyanovsk plant has become the production of special equipment for Russian departments and off-road vehicles. The plant's products are popular abroad as well. 75 years of experience, time-tested quality, combined with unpretentiousness and relatively low cost, made the plant's products popular not only in the domestic market, but also in the foreign one. The latest developments of the plant, for example UAZ "Patriot", are successfully sold abroad. However, its long way the development of the plant did not start with the automotive industry and under a completely different name. UAZ is impressive. In less than a century the lineup it was updated many times, new modern models and modifications of machines were created, many of which have earned worldwide recognition and awards.
The history of UAZ is more than 65 years old
How did the history of UAZ begin: evacuated ZIS
The history of UAZ began at the same time as the beginning of the war. Then, back in 1941, the country's leadership decided to take out large enterprises from Moscow, the region, all western industrial regions to the east. It was then that it was decided to take the production facilities of the ZIS (plant named after Stalin) to Ulyanovsk. Already in October of this year, part of the production equipment arrived at a new location, and from the new year, production resumed. Initially, given the state of war, the main task of the enterprise was to meet the needs of the army. At first, they were engaged in the release of military shells. However, by the end of the spring of 1942, the assembly of the ZIS-5 car was launched (5 cars were produced in the first month). By July, their production had grown to 30 units. per month. In the fall, the production of small cars began to meet the needs of the army.
The first independent "steps" of UAZ
In 1943, the GKO decided to build the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant on the basis of the ZIS. A year later, the first prototype of a car of its own design of the newly created UAZ - UlZIS 253 was designed. It was small. By technical parameters it was not inferior to the machines of American industry and could even compete with them. Already next year, the management of the enterprise was instructed to transfer the assembly of this truck to the Urals, and to engage in the development of GAZ-AA machines themselves. Literally 3 years later, UAZ released the first truck of this model. And two years later, at a demonstration in October, the UAZ-300 was presented. However, although this model passed all the tests and tests, it did not go into production. In the same year, the total production of UAZ vehicles since its inception reached 10,000 units.
In 1954, a design department was formed at the enterprise. Initially, the task of the department was to receive technical papers from GAZ and then transfer it to the assembly department. So here they began to assemble GAZ-69, 69A.
1955 became significant for UAZ. The history of self-assembled small-tonnage car models dates back to this year. The company began to develop vans, vans, trucks and vehicles for sanitary needs. For the first time, a new design was applied. In cars, the cab was located above the engine, which made it possible to increase the footage of the body without increasing the total length of the car.
The following year, for the first time in the history of the plant, the export of cars began. The cars of the Ulyanovsk plant were very unpretentious, easy to operate, reliable and with good driving characteristics. It is for these characteristics that they have become quite popular in the near abroad. At that time, supplies were carried out to 22 countries.
1960 saw the renewal of production equipment. The design department developed and patented the moving rod production line.
The history of the creation of the UAZ-451D and UAZ-451, which are assembled in improved models up to the present time, began in 1961. By mid-December, the first prototype had already been assembled.
1965 became memorable for the history of the enterprise by the fact that this year they assembled the 250,000th GAZ-69, but 6 years later the production of this model stopped, as the designers developed a new modification of it - UAZ-49.
1966 was marked by the first awards in the history of the plant. At the international exhibition of agricultural machinery, the UAZ-452D is awarded a gold medal for its high maneuverability and cross-country ability.
For this, the employees of the plant were soon awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.
1974 was also significant for UAZ, the release reached the 7 million mark. Also in 1974, the UAZ-469B SUV was tested. The car was able to climb a 4000-kilometer height along the ridge in 38 minutes. This development became the reason for the next award of the collective with the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.
There were also product and team awards in the following years. Quality marks were awarded to UAZ products: 1976 - for the engine (UMZ-451), 1977 - for the UAZ-452 truck. And in 1983 the world's first amphibious car "Jaguar" (UAZ-3709) was designed. There are no such people in the world to this day. The development department also received awards from the government for it. developed for military needs. The speed of movement on the water reached 10 km / h. The car has successfully passed all the tests. The jaguar went along the river back and forth from Ulyanovsk to Astrakhan. However, it was not launched into mass production, since no order for it was received from the army.
Until the end of the 90s, there were no new developments, all models were updated, a separate brake system, a hydraulic drive was installed, heating system, replacement of mirrors and headlights. The UMZ-414.10 engine was also updated, which made it possible to significantly increase its power.
Along with the collapse of the USSR, there were also some changes in industry. Enterprises were closed, reorganized, and names changed. The restructuring did not pass by the UAZ either. The development of the plant after the collapse, despite the changes in the country, was even more dynamic than before. Immediately after the collapse of the Union, the plant was transformed into JSC "UAZ". In 1994, the production of the improved UAZ-469 began here. It differed from the previous model in that it had a metal roof, new locks on the doors, adjustable seats, as well as a new suspension with springs and an economical motor.
In 1994, the enterprise won the Golden Globe prize for competitive machines and introduction into the world economic system. 1996 - an award of the international level for the volume of sales. And in 1997 - a gold medal at the International Fair.
However, UAZ not only received awards. Simultaneously with participation in various competitions, the development of new modifications of machines continued. On 5.08.97, a completely new car UAZ-3160 was assembled, which soon became the base for other models - Simbir, UAZ-3163.
1998 - car assembly for diesel engines... Soon, a 5-seater UAZ-39094 on an iron platform was put into production.
The year 2000 did not pass unnoticed by history. In April, the production of UAZ-3162 started, and in October, Severstal became interested in the plant, which soon acquired a significant stake in the enterprise.
In the same year, the construction of the first "multivena" with a capacity of up to 12 seats is completed.
2001 - 3 historical events:
- Simbir auto won the first place at the fair and exhibition in the capital;
- participation of the plant's models in the rally;
- the beginning of the development of a network of more than a hundred sales representatives within the country and not only.
2002 - the product earned another award. UAZ-23632 was awarded the Grand Prix diploma and recognized.
First transfer production areas for the territory of Russia was in 2003. The production line opens in Vietnam. In 2003, the product received several more awards.
2004 - the plant receives the certificate of conformity of the quality system. In March, a line for the production of UAZ-2360 is launched. In April-May, UAZ-2360, Hunter and Simbir take part in a five-thousand-kilometer rally, where test drives and off-road championships are held along the route of the rally in large cities.
New generation cars
The history of the creation of UAZ cars of the latest generation begins with the release of the legendary UAZ "Patriot" in 2005. This is a completely new car, which was different both from the outside and from the inside. An improved suspension, steering and transmission were installed on the Patriot. Most of the parts were imported. For the production of this model, a new welding and painting equipment was purchased.
The model was a success. However, the design department and management did not stop there, they continued to improve this model. 2 years later, the "Patriot" was equipped with an engine cooling system, and by installing new system heating and air conditioning.
On the basis of this model, new varieties come out. It is worth noting the Cargo model, which has several versions: in the form of a chassis for mounting additional superstructures; with an awning body; with a loading platform.
Today UAZ also continues to improve its vehicles. The assembly of cars is growing steadily and steadily. At the same time, the export of UAZ is also increasing, which once again speaks of the excellent quality of the products.
Coming New Year will be the last for the legendary UAZ - after 43 years on the conveyor it will be discontinued. Today we will talk about the compromises of its design, about the modernization and the farewell anniversary version of 2015.
Over the years of production, he had to change several names: UAZ-469, UAZ-3151, UAZ-Hunter ... And how many modifications and special versions have been created over all these years! At the same time, the essence of this car has never changed - exactly as we know it, our fathers and even grandfathers knew it ... And it will be all the more interesting to look at some of the little-known facts of the biography of the legendary UAZ.
How it all began
The beginning of the countdown of the history of this machine in different sources is called different - after all, it can be counted from the start of production, and from state acceptance, and from the end of testing or design ... We will venture to assert that the history - precisely the history of creation - of this machine begins back in 1956, although the car, which they began to design then at UAZ, did not even have a remote resemblance to the final product.
Start legendary UAZ put down ... the amphibious vehicle. In 1956, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, which then produced GAZ-69 and GAZ-69A, received an order from the Ministry of Defense to develop a floating jeep. In those years, such army vehicles were a "trend" in the world, and the Soviet military looked back primarily at the main strategic enemy - the United States.
The new Soviet jeep, in addition to the buoyancy property, was supposed to have a ground clearance of 400 mm in order to pass along a tank track, as well as a fully independent suspension and a carrying capacity designed for 7 passengers or 800 kg.
At that time, the department of the chief designer (OGK) at UAZ was loaded with the development of the UAZ-450 family and its successor UAZ-452, which we have already talked about. Nevertheless, work on a new army jeep began to boil, but soon the requirements of the military were supplemented: it was necessary to install a recoilless gun on an SUV - the Americans began to put such weapons on their light vehicles. And it doesn't matter that in the USA they armed land jeeps in this way (you have to "catch up and overtake"), and the already partly designed Soviet amphibian has a rear-engine layout, and when the gun was installed, the powder gases would be shot directly into the engine compartment.
For the engineering staff of UAZ, this, in fact, meant starting all the work all over again, transferring power unit forward. Surprisingly, it was this circumstance that helped the legendary UAZ, which we know now, to appear. Moreover, after the change to the front-engine layout, the following happened: the Ministry of Defense removed the requirement for the car's buoyancy, transferring the UAZ to the topic of land vehicles for the army, and the issue with a recoilless gun disappeared from the requirements of the terms of reference.
Nevertheless, the requirements for independent suspension and clearance of 400 mm, the possibility of transporting up to 7 people or 800 kg of cargo remained. Moreover, the car body must be unified for the transport of goods and people, while the previous army jeep had two modifications - a three-door cargo GAZ-69 and a five-door passenger GAZ-69A. And what about the ground clearance? The non-trivial ability of the new jeep to walk on a tank track forced the developers to look for completely non-standard solutions.
Legendary "military" bridges
They started, however, from what had already been developed. In 1960, two prototypes were assembled - one of them was designated UAZ-460 and had undercarriage from "Loaf" UAZ-450 with dependent suspension. The second, called the UAZ-470, already had an independent torsion bar suspension inherited from the previously developed amphibian.
The first option did not suit the military - the required clearance value was not achieved in this way, and in terms of performance characteristics such a car was for the most part a repetition of the GAZ-69. The customer insisted on the second version, with an independent torsion bar suspension (wishbones plus longitudinal torsion bars) and wheel reduction gears - this car showed truly unprecedented results on the off-road.
However, there were also some sensitive disadvantages. Firstly, the car provided the declared clearance only in an unloaded state, and when the load was taken on board, the body sagged heavily. Secondly, for an independent suspension, and therefore a new transmission, a separate production was required, in which the customer was not going to invest. And thirdly, the study of foreign analogues revealed other design imperfections: the developers of the American Ford M151 could not achieve the desired balance, and on the East German Sachsenring P3, obtained from the famous Horch, during comparative tests the front suspension on the left side was completely destroyed after contact with a piece of pipe just lying on the ground.
So how to achieve the "indestructibility" and cheapness inherent in an army jeep, while maintaining a high ground clearance? It was decided to take a step back, using a dependent bridge suspension scheme, leaving the keles gearboxes in the structure. That is, sacrifice the smoothness of the ride, but give a high figure for the clearance. But here, too, pitfalls were discovered: calculations showed that such a car simply would not be able to drive.
External gear reducers, generally accepted at that time, made it possible to reduce the size of the main gear housing (GP) by 100 mm, because the function of increasing the torque is now partly transferred to the wheel gearboxes, and to give an increase in clearance by another 100 mm due to the center-to-center distance of the gears in the gearboxes themselves ...
It turns out exactly the same 400 mm from the road to the GP crankcase, even with a small margin, but ... the bending moment in this case will simply pull out massive U-shaped bridges from the attachment points. And this is only half the trouble: the car itself will have a too high center of gravity and, accordingly, a tendency to roll over. It turned out that a car with the given dimensions cannot have more than 320 mm.
In order to fit the suspension into these values (and there was no other option left), an ingenious solution was found: in wheel reduction gears, go from external gearing to a more compact internal one, when one gear is located inside the other and the center-to-center distance is thus only 60 mm instead of 100 mm ... Yes, the ground clearance is only 320 mm, but such a car will be stable and reliable. As a result, the Ministry of Defense approved just such an option, and the future showed that the compromise was absolutely correct.
The final suspension scheme was approved on November 1, 1960, and in 1961 the first sample of an SUV was assembled, which was named UAZ-469. The car inherited the element base from the second iteration of the UAZ-452 "Loaf": a frame, an overhead valve 75-horsepower engine, which was also installed on the new Volga GAZ-21, and a 4-speed gearbox. Front-wheel drive was designed to be switchable, transfer case- the multiplier was in the same building with the checkpoint, which favorably distinguished the new jeep from the GAZ-69, where cardan transmission between the nodes created most of the noise and vibration. The ideology of the chassis was complemented by new axles with internal gears. The very ones!
Interestingly, in parallel with this, another, albeit outwardly very similar, prototype was assembled, the UAZ-471, which had a monocoque body (!), An independent suspension without wheel gears and a promising 4-cylinder V-shaped engine. The engine was approved, but did not go into production, and in general, the final choice by the military was made in favor of the time-tested frame architecture.
Design, competitors and a long way to the conveyor
And only after that, in fact, the birth of that design of the UAZ-469, which is now known to everyone, began. It was not called design at that time, there were engineers and their kind - body designers. In the canonical form, the appearance of the UAZ took shape by 1961. It was then that cars were assembled with a hood rounded from the sides, as if covering the headlights, slightly inflated front fenders and characteristic door openings, beveled at the rear.
In 1961, such a car (albeit still with the "old" UAZ-460 index) in a stylish two-tone orange-and-white livery was even shown at VDNKh - and where, one wonders, has all the military secrecy gone ?! Indeed, just a few years ago, only a couple of employees were engaged in this project at the UAZ, who were sitting in the office behind a locked lattice door with a sign "No entry, call for employees!"
In the same 1961, the UAZ passed comparative tests with the off-road vehicles of the NATO countries. Central Asia, Pamir, Caspian Sea and back along the Volga - this was the route of the run. Tests at the NIIII-21 tank range were spelled out in a separate line. Eyewitnesses claim that all tests ended in complete immobilization of competitors. Among the defeated, both then and later, the legendary Land rover Defender. "Def" drowned in Indonesia, got stuck at the NIIII-21 range, and rolled off the slope of Elbrus not on wheels, but head over heels! However, as is often the case, Land Rover fans probably have other comparative test data. :)
In the next few years, the proportions of the body were slightly refined, an optimal solution was found for the configuration of the slots of the radiator grill ... By the way, in the course of these works, an unexpected "by-product" was obtained: the UAZ emblem was born - the same one that we see on Ulyanovsk jeeps to this day day. Among other things, a modification of the machine without wheel gears was developed, called UAZ-469B (the letter meant "gearless"). Due to this circumstance, UAZs among the people will subsequently be divided into cars with "collective farm" and "military" bridges. But the introduction of the car into the series was restrained by the work that was not listed at all.
According to one of the versions, in those years, the Ministry of the Automotive Industry allocated funds mainly for the launch and "buildup" of new plants - first VAZ, then KAMAZ, and the rest were financed on a leftover basis. According to another version, the path of the UAZ-469 to the conveyor complicated the shortage of new engines. Be that as it may, and pre-production copies were assembled only in 1971, production vehicles with gearless axles appeared in December 1972, and a machine with wheel gears, which was the base one and was developed first, appeared in the series, oddly enough. only six months later - in the summer of 1973.
Why is the UAZ better than the "Lawn"?
The distribution on the conveyor was as follows: 20% of all produced cars fell on "military" bridges, 80% - on "collective farm" bridges. Initially, the division according to the body version was also laid - after assembly on the conveyor of the lower part, some bodies were supposed to be equipped with a tent top, and others - with a rigid "fold-over" as a roof. But the UAZ-469 in all cases was "sharpened" for the carriage of both cargo and passengers - 175 mm longer than the GAZ-69A, which has an 80 mm larger base, and, being 35 mm wider and 57 mm higher than its predecessor , UAZ made it possible to get by with one "universal" option. In the cabin there could be 5 passengers, and in the rear compartment - two more people on folding "chairs" and / or luggage.
Yes, the body of the well-deserved "Lawn" in a three-door version made it possible to accommodate one more person, but the total carrying capacity of the new UAZ was at a different height - during the tests, the car calmly took on board two people and 600 kg of cargo (or 7 people and 100 kg) and pulled a GAZ-407 trailer with a ballast of 850 kg. The power system was the same as in the "Gazon" - from two fuel tanks, but the consumption per hundred kilometers of track was reduced by about 2 liters.
More powerful engine spacious salon, improved ergonomics, increased convenience for boarding and disembarking, a tailgate that served as a continuation of the body when transporting long items and a higher manufacturability ... windshield did not lean back, which made it difficult to shoot - as we remember, the main purpose of this machine was army. But the combination of all the qualities made it possible to call the UAZ-469 a new generation car. And so he was in for great success.
The car was exported to 80 countries of the world (and in the USSR it was sold to private hands before perestroika only for special merits) and was very popular not only in third world countries, but also in Europe. In Italy, the enterprising Martorelli brothers created their own version of the UAZ, on which they won the national autocross championship in 1978, which greatly helped export sales and the image of UAZ as a whole. In the USSR, the UAZ factory team took first place in autocross 12 times, and in 1974 the "collective farm" UAZ-469B conquered Elbrus, climbing to a height of 4,200 meters ... In addition, the car took part in the runs across the Sahara (1975) and Karakum deserts (1979).
Team of their youth
The most controversial issue in the history of the UAZ-469 is "who created it." The fact is that it is impossible to name one person here, and this is partly due to the specifics of the OGK UAZ of those years. At the end of the 50s, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant was experiencing its rebirth, and the engineering staff had to be re-created, for which several experienced specialists were sent from GAZ, in whose subordination were several dozen yesterday's students of KHADI, MAMI, Gorky and Volgograd Polytechnics, as well as others technical universities of the country.
In total, the team consisted of about 80 people, each was engaged in his own narrow segment of work and was often transferred from project to project by his superiors (it is precisely because of this, by the way, that it is so difficult to collect information about the creation of a specific UAZ model of those years). However, the team was talented and worked efficiently, completely dispensing with bureaucratic red tape and strict hierarchy (which was neither before nor after!) UAZ-469 business here, believe me, is not limited. Nevertheless, several key figures in the fate of the UAZ-469 can and should be distinguished.
At the time of the development of the prototype, the chief designer of the UAZ was Pyotr Ivanovich Muzyukin, it all started with him. The first prototypes were assembled and designed by Lev Adrianovich Startsev, who later became the chief designer of the plant. The same axles with wheel reducers, which served as the main stumbling block at the design stage, were developed by Georgy Konstantinovich Mirzovev, in the future the chief designer of the Volga Automobile Plant. And the design of the car was developed by Mirzoev's close friend - designer Albert Mikhailovich Rakhmanov, who later headed the UAZ design center, and then worked under the "creative direction" of Yuliy Georgievich Borzov, the leading body designer.
The designers of the UAZ-452 van E.V. Varchenko, L.A. Startsev, M.P. Tsyganov and S.M. Tyurin, it was the "Loaf" that became the "donor" of the units for the UAZ-469. In addition, Ivan Alekseevich Davydov, who stood at the origins of the very first "Loaf" UAZ-450, is called the ideological inspirer of the UAZ jeep in many sources. In 1972, the model was brought into serial production by Pyotr Ivanovich Zhukov, who at that time was appointed chief designer. The production was financed by the Minavtoprom, which was headed by Alexander Mikhailovich Tarasov, and the final "go-ahead" for this production, as the legend says, was given by Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, to whom the UAZ workers fitted a prototype as a car for hunting ...
Modernization
In the army, sports and agriculture, the UAZ very soon became an indispensable assistant. But over time, he demanded modernization to meet the stricter safety, environmental and ergonomic requirements. An option with an all-metal roof appeared, the engine power was first raised to 80 hp. in the army version (the cooling system became closed at the same time), and then they completely changed the engine to 90-horsepower on all modifications. The suspension of the power unit has become softer, the gearbox is five-speed, the transfer case is fine-modular and low-noise.
Instead of lever shock absorbers, hydraulic telescopic ones appeared, the bridges were replaced by reliable continuous ones, the suspension in the part of the elastic element first evolved from a simple spring to a spring-loaded small-leaf one, and then completely became spring-loaded. The lighting equipment was modernized, the windshield was made one-piece, the wipers were moved to its lower part. Introduced into the design vacuum amplifier and a hydraulic clutch, more modern suspended pedals, comfortable seats and an efficient heater appeared in the cabin ...
In 1985, the model was renamed according to the new standard - the military jeep became known as UAZ-3151 (formerly UAZ-469), the civil modification UAZ-31512 (UAZ-469B), the version with an all-metal roof received the UAZ-31514 index, the long wheelbase - UAZ-3153 ... The active phase of modernization continued until the early 1990s, after which the car plant focused on other developments - on the not very successful UAZ-3160 Simbir and the quite viable UAZ Patriot that followed. By the way, the same "four hundred and sixty-ninth" served as the basis for these developments.
New time
In 2003, the UAZ-3151, a direct descendant of the UAZ-469, acquired a deluxe version, which was named UAZ Hunter, leaving the unreadable index 315195 for in-plant needs. Despite all the multi-stage modernization and stylistic tweaks, the "Hunter" remained the same "goat" (a nickname inherited from the GAZ-69 for the effect of galloping or longitudinal swing) with all the following pros and cons. Moreover, from April 2010 to June 2011, 5000 copies of the "real" UAZ-469 were produced - the jubilee series was dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Victory. By that time, the total number of UAZ-469 / UAZ-3151 / UAZ "Hunter" produced exceeded 2 million ...
What's next? The days of the legendary UAZ are apparently numbered. First, the market chooses a more comfortable one. UAZ Patriot secondly, "Hunter" does not fit into modern safety requirements. And thirdly, the equipment of the conveyor, where these machines are produced, is completely worn out, unable to provide the proper assembly quality, and its replacement would cost more than 1 billion rubles. The management of the plant will more willingly invest this money in the development of an independent front suspension, the purchase of foreign components and the production of a short-base version of the Patriot, which is supposed to occupy the niche of the Hunter, aka UAZ-469 ... End of the legend?
Final version. To be or not to be?
In early 2014, it was announced that Hunter had about a year left to live on the assembly line - his departure was scheduled for 2015. However, in the spring of 2014, there were reports that before the final parting with the model, the plant will release a limited farewell series of increased comfort and cross-country ability, as well as with a design complemented by laconic but noticeable touches. As we managed to find out, such a version is really planned, but the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant itself has an indirect relationship to the topic, and the development of the machine is carried out by the forces of an engineering company involved from outside.
The complete list of innovations in the design of this car looks almost more impressive than everything that happened to the UAZ-469 and its versions during mass production: the climate system of the Russian brand "Frost" (the same company has developed air conditioners for the Lada 4x4), completely lowering front windows (previously it was only possible to move a part of the glass back), a completely new instrument panel, improved body seals, a "chandelier" with fog lights on the roof, forced blocking front axle(developed at UAZ) and impressive off-road wheels measuring 245/75 R16 (the likely brand is Kumho Mud Terrain).
Sounds great, right? Alas, this is just a farewell version, and not a new serial version - the planned initial circulation of the novelty was only about 500 cars, the further depends on demand, but ... hardly even such steps to improve the design of the UAZ can seriously extend its conveyor life. However, for some lucky ones, this would be an excellent chance to touch the legend, and in its coolest performance in history.
According to our information, all the "upgrade" items should have added about 100,000 rubles to the price of the UAZ, but taking into account the current instability, in fact, it may turn out even more. However, a limited edition is a limited edition. Another thing is that since the summer of 2014 there has been a pause in the course of the project - all the documentation was transferred by the developers to the UAZ, and then ...
What stage is the UAZ Hunter Limited Edition project at? Should we wait for real photos of this car and the start of its sales? What are the developers keeping secret? Follow the publications!
In 1941, the current government of the USSR carried out an urgent evacuation from the capital of a number of the largest enterprises. This is where the story begins Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ) as it arose out of one of these old Moscow enterprises. Initially, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant specialized in the production of aerial bombs, because during the Great Patriotic War the automobile industry of the USSR had to indulge the interests of the Red Army. In 1942, the UAZ automobile brand as such did not yet exist, because initially the plant in Ulyanovsk was named in honor of I.V. Stalin - ZIS... Soon, the production of cars again began to be considered a priority task of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant. In the spring of 1942, the first five cars rolled off the ZIS assembly line ZIS-5... The production process was constantly optimized and improved, so the number of cars assembled per day soon increased to 30. In the fall of 1942, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant started producing ZIS-5 trucks. At the end of 1942, by the forces of the labor collective, the army engine L3 / 2 was put on the conveyor (even then the collective of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant consisted of 4 thousand employees). In 1943, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant separated from the ZIS-complex and started producing a completely new model, which rolled off the assembly line at the end of the year and marked the beginning of a new century in the history of UAZ.
It is worth noting that it was equipped with a diesel engine, which was then very popular among American manufacturers. In other words, in the 1940s, UAZ cars were considered very, very competitive. In 1944, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant transferred the rights to manufacture ZIS-5 cars to the Ural Automobile Plant. In October 1947, the prototype of the GAZ-AA model rolled off the assembly line, and in March, the implementation of the master plan for the mass production of cars of this model began. In order to increase the volume of output products, the management of UAZ introduced a two-shift operation. In October 1949, at one of the car demonstrations, the public was presented with the UAZ-300 - the legendary development of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant itself. Unfortunately, no one saw the UAZ-300 in serial production.
In 1954, on the basis of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, a design department was created, which at first dealt exclusively with technical documents and contracts, but then the experts of this department took up research in the automotive modeling industry. As a result, it soon rolled off the assembly line. 
first batch of cars GAZ-69... In 1955, UAZ started serial production GAZ-69, GAZ-69A and trailers for these models. This state order helped to determine the specifics of the production of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant - the production of low-tonnage vehicles with increased cross-country ability... The designers tried to mark the body above the engine, which significantly increased its volume without changing the overall length of the car. In 1956, the intensive export of UAZ vehicles abroad began. By the end of 1959, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant was known in 22 countries of the world. It should be noted that the popularity of UAZ products was due to the highest 
the level of quality and reliability, and the fact that then there were almost no competitors. In 1960, UAZ designers invented a push rod conveyor, which fundamentally changed the entire production process, increasing production efficiency several times.
In 1961, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant put trucks on the conveyor UAZ-451D and UAZ-451... In 1965, the 250,000th GAZ-69 rolled off the assembly line, which was soon replaced by the more advanced UAZ-69, specially developed by the designers of the automobile plant. In 1966, an international exhibition of agricultural machinery was held in Moscow, at which the UAZ-452D received a gold medal due to its increased cross-country ability and maneuverability, and the staff of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant received the Order of the Red Banner of Labor for merits. In the late 1960s, the car plant underwent a planned modernization, due to which the output volume increased significantly.
In 1971 UAZ has stopped production of cars of the GAZ-69 series, because I put on the conveyor a more modern one, which has successfully passed all the tests, than it has confirmed highest quality products of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant. In 1974 rolled off the assembly line 
millionth SUV - UAZ-452, which enjoyed particular success among the drivers of those times. In addition, in 1974, tests were carried out in which UAZ-469B vehicles showed an excellent result, climbing Elbrus ridge to a height of 4 thousand meters in just 38 minutes
... After that, the collective of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant received a second order. 
Labor Red Banner! In December 1976, the UM3-451 engine, the brainchild of UAZ, was awarded the quality mark, and in 1977 - and truck UAZ-452... In 1983, the USSR government appreciated the merits of the designers and the work collective of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, having adequately rewarded them in connection with the release of the first amphibious vehicle "Jaguar". It is worth noting that in our time there are no analogues of this model in the world!
In the 1980s UAZ participated in the "Great Silk Road" expedition and subsequent tests under the leadership of UNESCO together with the famous car brands such as BMW or Mercedes. Now it will seem ridiculous, but then UAZ did not compromise at all eminent automobile concerns, and in the difficult mountainous terrain showed best result, having confirmed in practice the quality of a domestic manufacturer! After the collapse of the USSR and the subsequent crisis, the rate of development of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant decreased significantly.
In 1993 it was put on the conveyor. This time, the designers focused on the overall comfort of the cabin and appearance car. In 1994, UAZ received the Golden Globe for 
contribution to the country's economy and the integration of the world economy. In 1996, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant received the "Golden Mercury" - an international grand for the number of sales. In 1997, UAZ switched to the production of small-scale cars. In 1998, UAZ vehicles began to be equipped with diesel engines. In 2000, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant launched the production of a new UAZ-3162 and pickup truck UAZ-2362.
In 2001, at the VII Moscow Automobile Exhibition-Fair, the model UAZ Simbir received a gold medal, and in 2002 the UAZ-2362 pickup was recognized as the best pickup in the MIMS-2002 nomination. In 2003, the production of UAZ vehicles went beyond the country: workshops began to be built in Vietnam and in the suburbs of Shanghai, and the UAZ-31512 model and the modern UAZ-469 model appeared on the car market. In 2004 car brand UAZ has been certified according to international standards. In 2003, the world saw new items: light SUV UAZ Hunter and the UAZ-2360 truck. In 2005, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant started producing off-road vehicle UAZ Patriot, characterized by increased comfort parameters, and in 2008 - the production of modern UAZ Pickup.
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Removing the victims from the zone of radioactive contamination - now it seems nothing more than a terrible fiction, but in the 50s of the last century, when the Cold War was in full swing, the famous "Loaf" UAZ-452 was given just such a task. It was later that the UAZ-452 became an indispensable assistant in almost all sectors of the national economy, and the truth about the true purpose of the car was preserved only in historical chronicles.
The "Loaf" owes its appearance to the Ministry of Defense. The military, who had no doubt that a nuclear war between the Soviet Union and America would begin in the near future, set clear tasks for the factory workers. The car had to be adapted to carry five stretchers and have excellent maneuverability.
It was only by the second half of the 50s that it became clear that a terrible war could most likely be avoided, but the development of the car by this time was already in full swing. As it turned out, the Americans also worked on a car of a similar design. And they even managed to release it two years earlier, which subsequently gave food for criticism. domestic car... It turned out that the overseas Ford FC and our "Loaf" had a strikingly similar design. But, reasoning sensibly, there is no need to talk about plagiarism in this case.
Both cars were developed in parallel, and the somewhat belated appearance of the "Loaf" is explained, rather, by the specifics of the country of the Soviets, and not by an attempt to spy on something from the Americans.
The first prototypes, called UAZ-450, were based on the platform from the GAZ-69. This made it possible to load up to 800 kilograms of cargo into a car with a wagon layout and, if necessary, develop a speed of 90 km / h on rough terrain. After a series of tests in 1958, the car was put on the assembly line. For almost seven years, the "Loaf" was produced with a 52-horsepower 2.1-liter engine and a 3-speed gearbox. Only in 1965 the car was modernized.
The curved welded frame was replaced by an original straight design, and the suspension underwent a major revision. "Loaf" received more modern telescopic shock absorbers. It was also decided to abandon the weak engine. The updated car received a 2.5-liter power unit from the GAZ-21, which developed 70 Horse power... There is one more gear shift in the gearbox.
As well as technical changes a small "facelift" was also carried out. The car received the design of the front part familiar to most of us. And at the same time the new name is UAZ-452. Depending on the purpose of the car, this or that letter was added to it. So, for example, ambulance "Loafs" were indexed 452A, a minibus with ten seats - 452B, a truck - 452D.
The variety of modifications of the Ulyanovsk minibus is generally a topic separate conversation... The car, designed specifically for the army, turned out to be so successful that during its conveyor life it was repeatedly altered to meet the needs of a particular buyer, not only within the factory walls, but also by the buyers themselves. Numerous auto repair factories have easily cut windows and fitted seats, transforming cargo vans into passenger vans.
The UAZ specialists did not sit idly by either. Thanks to them, on the basis of "Loaf" were born tracked all-terrain vehicle, « Ambulance»With hydropneumatic suspension, 16-seater bus. But, unfortunately, there was no talk of mass production of the equipment so demanded in the USSR. Moreover, even the usual versions of the UAZ-452 were not modernized in the 70s. Only during perestroika did the Ulyanovsk all-terrain vehicle receive a 90-horsepower engine, modernized bridges and a vacuum brake booster. The name of the car has also been changed to a new one. From now on, a minibus based on the "Loaf" was named UAZ-3962, a van - UAZ-3741, a flatbed truck - UAZ-3303.
Technical characteristics of UAZ-452
The car survived the collapse of the Soviet Union quite confidently. Despite the fact that the opened borders allowed numerous commercial vehicles to pour into the country, the demand for the “Loaf” remained stable. So affordable car with such capabilities, off-road in Europe was simply not released. The plant workers, in turn, tried with little blood modernize the "Loaf".
In 1997, the car began to be equipped with a 2.9-liter UMP engine with a capacity of 98 horsepower, and after another 11 years, the same engine received a modern electronic system fuel injection. This made it possible to fit into the Euro-3 environmental standards. By 2011, the UMP-4213 began to comply with Euro-4 standards, and the car itself finally received ABS system, power steering and seat belts.
Safety and crash test UAZ-452
Although the "Loaf" has hardly become safer from this. A car designed in the 50s of the last century, by definition, cannot provide the driver and passengers with the level of protection that modern standards require. What can I say, if the "Loaf" simply does not have crumpled zones in front, capable of absorbing the energy of an impact in a frontal collision. Any more or less serious accident for the driver and passenger of a domestic all-terrain vehicle is truly dangerous. And even now we are not talking about a comfortable trip. Stuffiness, shaking, high consumption fuel is a reality that everyone who dares to hit the road in a domestic car will face.
So why is the "Loaf" still in service? There is simply no adequate replacement for this car. Only the Ulyanovsk all-terrain vehicle is able to easily move on a 30-centimeter snowy ground or ride along the track rolled out by the Urals. At the same time, which is extremely important, the "Loaf" is capable of taking on board 5-6 people and several hundred kilograms of cargo.
Add to this the excellent maintainability and design that has been studied over several decades. In most post-Soviet countries, where there are still more directions than roads, many cannot do without an old "Loaf". At least until the "New Loaf" appears on the conveyor. Drawings of a promising all-terrain vehicle-minibus have flashed on the network for a long time, but so far this is nothing more than a dream.
P.S. So why was the UAZ-452 nicknamed the "Loaf"? They say that for the first time a car was named so during factory tests. Then, when it began to be mass-produced, the memorable name was replicated. However, on the "Loaf" the light did not converge like a wedge. The UAZ-462D truck was popularly called a "tadpole", and the sanitary version of the UAZ-452A was jokingly called a "pill". Is this not evidence of people's love?
Before talking about specific models of UAZ vehicles, developed or modified specifically for the army, it is worth saying that the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, in general, in its activities was aimed at meeting the needs of the Ministry of Defense. UAZ civilian vehicles are, roughly speaking, a side effect, especially in Soviet times. In the conditions of a free market, the automaker had no choice but to rebuild capacities to meet the needs of "peaceful" customers. But even now, UAZ is actively cooperating with the state, supplying cross-country vehicles for the army.
The history of the military UAZ began in the middle of the 20th century. First of all, the UAZ-469 and UAZ-3151 should be attributed to the army models of this car brand.
It was the UAZ-469 that, by the 70s of the 20th century, became the main vehicle for the command in the countries of Eastern Europe, which were part of the Warsaw Pact bloc. Before that, its predecessor in the mentioned role was GAZ-69.
In 1964, several prototypes were produced, on the basis of which the serial production of the UAZ-469 and UAZ-469B began in 1972. In 1985, they began to produce UAZ-3151. And since 2003, the UAZ-315195 Hunter has been produced, which in 2010, for the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, was modernized and released in a limited series under the index 315196.
The history of the development of a military UAZ
It was noted above that the first prototypes of the UAZ-469 were produced in 1964. However, development began back in the 50s of the 20th century. The first sample, named UAZ-460, was designed in 1958. Apparently, the American Jeep was taken as a basis. The Soviet car turned out to be powerful, capable of transporting people and goods on off-road, as well as pulling trailers and light weapons. But the car could not boast of convenience and comfort.
In 1964, a trial batch of modified cars was produced, named UAZ-469. By the way, in the automotive press, already next year, one could find an image of this car and learn about some technical characteristics... This is surprising, given the fact that the serial production of machines will begin only after 8 years.
The basis for the UAZ-469 of the 1972 model was the reliable and advanced 21st Volga for those years. The capabilities of UAZ amaze and surprise. For example, in 1974, several cars in basic configuration, that is, without traction chains, winches and other things, they were able to climb one of the Elbrus glaciers, to a height of 4.2 kilometers.
In 1985, an army SUV from the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant began to be produced under the name UAZ-3151.
The history of the UAZ-469 ends at the beginning of the 21st century. In 2010, a limited batch of UAZ-315196 is produced, which has a power steering, spring suspension, disc front brakes, a 112-horsepower engine, Timken split axles. And already in 2011, this model disappears from the market, due to the fact that the specified batch of 5,000 cars is completely sold out. UAZ, in terms of army vehicles, begins to specialize in the Hunter Classic model.
Model 469 Specifications
The UAZ-469 model has a five-seater open body. In fact, it is a convertible. A soft tarpaulin awning is used as a roof, and 4 side doors have glazed extensions. The fifth backdoor used for loading luggage. In addition, there are folding seats in the rear compartment of the car, which can accommodate two more passengers. The windshield folds back onto the bonnet. Here you can recall the American "Willys", which, as well, can be folded back on the hood, in order to increase the camouflage of the car on the ground.
The frame of the model is very strong, not subject to twisting. The engine is a 4-cylinder 2.5-liter engine capable of delivering 75 horsepower and runs on gasoline. The clutch is single-plate. Gearbox - mechanical, 4-speed. There is a 2-step transfer case.
Since the car is designed for the army, 2 fuel tank, with a volume of 39 liters each. If we take into account that the fuel consumption, on average, is 16 liters per 100 kilometers, then we can conclude that the manufacturer does not provide such a large fuel reserve. However, when carrying 7 passengers, the car can take on board 100 kilograms of luggage. That is, a few more cans will fit well. UAZ-469 can "drag along" a trailer weighing 850 kilograms.
Tests of UAZ 469
The ground clearance of the military model is 300 millimeters. To create such a clearance, the following was developed and implemented:
- double final drive on driving axles. The crankcase is wide, but the vertical dimension is reduced.
- reduction final drives.
The front axle hubs in this car model can be disabled to reduce fuel consumption if the car is driving on a good road. However, the decrease in consumption was insignificant, and to disconnect the hubs, several, albeit simple, but time-consuming manipulations had to be performed.
By 1982, the car's power had increased by 2 horsepower, thanks to the installation of a new engine.
UAZ-3151
In 1985, the model 469 was modernized, new car was named UAZ-3151.
The changes affected most of the components and assemblies. The clutch got hydraulic drive disconnection. V cardan shafts radial mechanical bearing seals appeared. Lighting devices have been improved and supplemented. Washer drive became electric windshield received. In addition, the following equipment appeared in the car:
- two suspended pedals - clutch and brakes;
- dual-circuit brakes;
- safe steering column;
Engine power began to be 80 horsepower, which increased maximum speed up to 120 kilometers per hour.
Model modifications
In addition to those mentioned, there were other modifications of the domestic military UAZ off-road vehicles.
UAZ-469BI with shielded equipment and a radio station. UAZ-469BG (UAZ-3152) - was used for military medical needs. UAZ-469РРХ - radio-chemical reconnaissance vehicle.
There were also non-serial modifications. For example, the UAZ-3907 Jaguar is an amphibious vehicle with installed propellers. The export version of the UAZ - Martorelli, which was installed, including diesel engines from Fiat and Peugeot.
Records
It is no secret that the Soviet auto industry, for its time, was at a very high level. And when it came to military development, here the factories of the Soviet Union were unsurpassed leaders.
So, the UAZ-469 model set a world record, indirectly confirming the high level of the car:
32 people were able to fit into the UAZ-469, with a total weight of 1.9 tons. This event is included in the Guinness Book of Records. Prior to that, in Kia car The spectrum was able to accommodate 23 people.
- Among the people, UAZ-469 and its followers were nicknamed Kozlik and Bobik.
- In China, without cooperating with the USSR, they developed and released the Beijing car, which combines the chassis of the GAZ-69 and the body of the UAZ-469.
