GAZ-21
Specifications:
body	4-door sedan (modification GAZ-22 - 5-door station wagon)
Number of doors	4/5
number of seats	5
length	4770 mm
width	1695 mm
height	1620 mm
wheelbase	2700 mm
front track	1410 mm
rear track	1420 mm
ground clearance	190 mm
trunk volume	170 l
engine location	front longitudinal
engine's type	carburetor, 4-cylinder, with aluminum cylinder block and cast-iron wet liners, overhead valve
engine capacity	2432 cm 3
Power	65/3800 hp at rpm
Torque	167/2200 N*m at rpm
Valves per cylinder	2
KP	3-speed with 2nd and 3rd gear synchronizer
Front suspension	independent, lever-spring
Rear suspension	dependent spring
Shock absorbers
Front brakes	drums
Rear brakes	drums
Fuel consumption	9 l/100 km
maximum speed	120 km/h
years of production	1956-1970
type of drive	rear
Curb weight	1460 kg
acceleration 0-100 km/h	34 sec

GAZ-21 "Volga" is a Soviet passenger car with a sedan body. Until 1965 it was called GAZ-M21 "Volga". It was mass-produced from 1956 (until 1958 in parallel with the GAZ-M20 Pobeda) until the 1970s. The total production volume of GAZ-21 of all modifications is 638,798 copies (according to the serial number of the last car that came off the assembly line). Became the most successful domestically developed car in all the years of the existence of the USSR.

History of creation

Development of the car began in 1952. At first, work was carried out on two independent projects: GAZ-M21 “Zvezda” and GAZ-M21 “Volga”. The first project was led by artist John Williams, the second by Lev Eremeev. In 1953, mock-ups of two vehicles were built. Williams' project looked more advanced, but Eremeev's car was more in line with the realities of the time. Lev Eremeev’s project was adopted for the further development of the future car. In the same 1953, A. Nevzorov was appointed the leading designer of the GAZ-M21, who worked under the supervision of the chief designer of the Gorky Automobile Plant N. Borisov.

At the end of winter or early spring of 1954, the first prototypes of the future Volga were ready and entered preliminary tests. On May 3, 1955, three cars - cherry red (prototype 1), blue (prototype 2) and white (prototype 3) - left the gates of the Gorky plant and went to state acceptance tests. Together with them, other domestic and foreign cars of the same class as the Volga were tested. All prototypes differed from each other in detail, two of them were equipped with an automatic transmission, one with a manual transmission.
The cars were tested in a wide variety of road conditions and showed good results. The new car was more economical and more dynamic than the Pobeda, superior in dynamics to the aging ZIM, and ahead of its foreign counterparts in reliability and cross-country ability. In addition, the Volga differed favorably from foreign-made cars with its harmonious design.

Photo: In 1954, construction of prototypes of the GAZ-21 began

In May 1955, the Gorky Plant produced another, fourth copy of the Volga. It was transferred to the Murom Radio Plant for debugging the A-9 radio receiver, which was equipped with the car (in some versions). In the summer of 1955, all prototypes except the first were slightly modernized, receiving a new radiator grille (with a star).
The first series of five cars was assembled at the plant in October 1956. On October 10, 1956, the first three Volgas, which can be called production, left the factory gates. Five new vehicles joined prototypes 1, 2 and 3 to take part in extensive testing in late 1956. These five production vehicles were equipped with GAZ-M20 engines boosted to 65 hp. for installation on the export version of the GAZ-69 jeep. The cars were equipped with manual transmissions. The final tests of the Volga took place in taxi parks under intensive operating conditions, which made it possible to quickly eliminate many of the “childhood diseases” of the new car.

Modifications of GAZ-M21 within the framework of “releases”

The GAZ-M21 Volga car of the first “release” was produced from 1956 to November 1958. Until the end of 1957, it was equipped with a lower valve engine with a displacement of 2.42 liters (2420 cc) and a power of 65 hp. at 3800 rpm. Borrowed from Pobeda, this engine was boosted by increasing the displacement (by boring the cylinders) and the compression ratio. In total, 1,100 copies of the Volga were produced with this engine.
GAZ-M21G - in addition to the forced engine from the GAZ-M20, the Pobeda was equipped with a rear axle borrowed from the ZIM car with shortened axle shafts and their housings. A distinctive feature of all cars of the first “release” is the “plus” electrical equipment system displayed on the body.
GAZ-M21B is a car with a souped-up engine from Pobeda, a modification for a taxi with a simplified finish. GAZ-M21 - produced since 1957 with the new ZMZ-21 engine from the Zavolzhsky Motor Plant (specially built for the production of Volga engines). The engine had a displacement of 2.445 liters and a power of 70 hp. The engine was an overhead valve, entirely aluminum (the main parts were the crankcase, cylinder block, pipes) and for its time was distinguished by many progressive solutions. Also, the modification under the symbol M21 was equipped with an automatic three-speed gearbox with a torque converter.
GAZ-M21V is a production car with a ZMZ-21 engine.
GAZ-M21A - taxi with ZMZ-21 engine (based on GAZ-21V).
GAZ-M21D - export modification with boost to 80 hp. engine and manual gearbox. The design is complemented by a chrome belt molding.
GAZ-M21E - export modification with an 80 hp engine. and automatic transmission.
The GAZ-M21 car of the second “release” was produced from 1959 to 1962. The “release” of 1958-1959 is considered transitional. The changes were introduced gradually and concerned the design of the body, enlargement of the wheel arches of the front wings, changes in electrical wiring (“reversal of polarity” in 1960, “minus” began to be supplied to the body, which reduced current losses and the intensity of metal corrosion). The total production volume of cars of the second “release” amounted to 160 thousand copies.
GAZ-M21I - basic model.

GAZ-M21A - taxi.

GAZ-M21 is a car with automatic transmission. It is unknown whether it was actually produced (there is no information about this).
GAZ-M21E is another modification with automatic transmission, produced in a very limited series.
GAZ-M21U is a luxury modification with improved finishing, but with a conventional engine.

GAZ-M21K - export modification with a 75 or 80 hp engine. and additional finishing elements (chrome inserts). The GAZ-M21 car of the third “release” was produced from 1962 to 1970. The car received a new radiator grille made of 37 chrome-plated vertical plates. The deer figurine and molding disappeared from the hood (the deer was not always installed on cars of the second “release” - it was removed for safety reasons). The number of chrome decorative parts has been reduced. The body lines have become smoother and more harmonious. The modification with automatic transmission was removed from the production line, the lever shock absorbers were replaced with telescopic ones, and the output was increased to 75 hp. motor power for the basic serial modification. The total production volume of cars of the third “release” amounted to 470 thousand copies.

GAZ-M21L is the main serial sedan.
GAZ-M21L - export modification.
GAZ-M21U - luxury modification, differed from the production car by moldings on the wings.
GAZ-M21T is a modification of a taxi with separate front seats. The front passenger seat folds down, freeing up space for carrying cargo.

In 1962, on the basis of the GAZ-M21, the GAZ-M22 station wagon was created and put on the conveyor. It was produced in various versions - as a “civilian” general purpose vehicle, as an “ambulance”, an aircraft escort vehicle for airports, and so on.

At the same time, a small series of GAZ-23 cars was produced - a high-speed modification of the GAZ-M21 with a power unit from the GAZ-13 “Chaika” (automatic transmission, 8-cylinder engine with a power of 160, and later 195 hp). This car was intended for law enforcement agencies (in particular, the KGB) and was produced in the amount of 608 copies.
In 1965, the Volga of the third “release” underwent its last modernization. The heater was improved and the body design was slightly changed. At the same time, the letter “M” disappeared from the model index (that is, “Molotovets”; until 1957, GAZ was called the Gorky Automobile Plant named after Molotov). The main modifications of the Volga began to be designated as follows:
GAZ-21 - basic version.
GAZ-21S - export modification with improved finishing and equipment. 85 hp engine
GAZ-21US - a model with improved finishing for the domestic market and partially for export. Engine 75 hp
GAZ-21T - modification for taxi.
GAZ-21TS is an export version of the taxi (supplied to many countries around the world, including Finland and the GDR).
In 1968, the first small batch of cars of the new GAZ-24 model was produced (using bypass technology). Until 1970, both models were produced in parallel. On July 15, 1970, production of the GAZ-21 of all modifications was discontinued.

Design features - disadvantages and advantages

The number of modifications of the GAZ-21 car is extremely large. In fact, under the general name “Volga”, GAZ produced different cars that were similar in appearance and had basic characteristics. For example, the GAZ-23, built on the GAZ-13 “Chaika” units, had speed characteristics that are characteristic of modern passenger cars. And the GAZ-M21 of the first experimental production differed little in the same speed characteristics from the serial GAZ-M20 Pobeda.

The design of the Volga of all “issues” had many archaic features even for those years. In particular, telescopic shock absorbers (instead of lever ones) came to the Volga with a great delay. The automatic gearbox never caught on (Soviet automakers were never able to master its mass production). The hydraulic brakes and steering were not equipped with power amplifiers; operating a heavy vehicle required physical effort from the driver. The central-type parking brake (a drum brake, similar in design to a wheel brake, was installed on the gearbox shank and acted through the driveshaft on the drive rear axle) was ineffective and unreliable. When trying to emergency stop the car with the parking brake, the latter broke. Until 1960, the Volga was equipped with a centralized lubrication system - driven by a special pedal. This solution was used on foreign (German) cars of the 30s and 40s. Finally, the three-speed manual transmission had a synchronizer only for the two highest gears, which was a completely outdated solution for the second half of the 60s.
However, there were real discoveries. The Volga designers managed to create a car that attracts attention with its impeccable design even forty years after the car ceased production. The high strength of the body - due to the precise calculation of the power elements - gave rise to numerous myths about the “thick metal” from which the car body parts were supposedly stamped (in fact, the metal used was the same as in foreign automobile construction).
"Volga" was highly resistant to corrosion - due to a special "phosphating" treatment of the body. The quality of body paint on cars of the first and second “issues” is such that some of them do not require repainting to this day. Separately, mention should be made of the ZMZ-21 engine, which was produced in a huge number of modifications. It found application on Soviet minibuses, was installed on boats, and was exported abroad. A modification of this engine - UMZ-451MI - was installed on the UAZ-469 all-terrain vehicles, which were in service with the Soviet Army.
The high quality of manufacturing of the GAZ-21, especially the second and the beginning of the third “release” (there are very few cars left from the first “release”), the high degree of commonality of parts with GAZ and UAZ cars, the impeccable reputation of a reliable car have led to the fact that the market for cars of this brand exists and today. Cars are restored, maintained in working condition, resold and found new owners. True, only a relatively small part of GAZ-21 owners use these cars for daily driving. These are mainly exhibits of private collections or cars for occasional trips and walks.

Magazine "Behind the Wheel" about GAZ-21

New in the Volga car

Sales market: Russia.

The “Twenty-First” Volga (GAZ-21) became a landmark car of the Soviet era and to this day remains one of the best examples of the domestic automotive industry. Of course, during the development, the designers took into account the rich experience of foreign manufacturers, in particular, the influence of the American school of design of the 50s is very noticeable. The car received a monocoque body with a powerful front subframe, was distinguished by a distinctly dynamic silhouette, high ride comfort, and most importantly, a level of comfort previously unavailable for domestic models. The car was exported to 75 countries. The very first GAZ-M 21G cars, belonging to the so-called “1st series”, which is also called “Volga with a star” (for the emblem on the radiator lining), rolled out of the gates of the experimental workshop on October 10, 1956. In total, only five copies were produced until the end of 1956. Mass production began only the following year.

In addition to its impeccable exterior, the Volga also attracted attention with its interior. The front sofa (there is no other way to say it) with its back reclined turned the salon into a real bedroom. In those years, not much attention was paid to the interior lining, so painted metal in the interior was considered commonplace, and there was a minimum of plastic, but it had a pleasant “live” color, imitating ivory, and natural ingredients were used in its manufacture: gelatin, bone flour and lactic acid. A mandatory attribute was chrome trim and a large round clock with the inscription “Made in the USSR.” The gear shift knob was located on the steering column. There was a radio receiver with two bands LW and MW (long and medium waves) and a station memory implemented using mechanics; To power the radio tubes, a power supply was used that converted the 12V direct current of the on-board network into 200V alternating current. The taxi version had a meter instead of a radio, and the front seat was divided into two parts for the driver and passenger, while the passenger part could be folded to form a luggage area. In total, about 30 thousand 1st series cars were produced.

During 1957, the Volga was produced with a modernized “Pobedovsky” engine in the GAZ-21B modification, which had a larger displacement due to the cylinder diameter increased to 88 mm, and with a compression ratio increased to 7.0 (2.4 l., 65 l. s at 3800 rpm, torque 158 Nm at 1800 rpm). The engine was coupled only with a three-speed manual transmission. In the summer of 1957, the car plant completed preparations for the production of a modern overhead valve engine model ZMZ-21A, and around July the conveyor began equipping cars with a new engine. These cars had a power reserve of 70 “horses”, and the maximum speed was increased from 120 to 130 km/h. Upon request and for the first time for a domestic car, the GAZ-21 Volga could be equipped with an automatic hydromechanical gearbox.

The design features of the car included a rear axle with a continuous one-piece crankcase, created on the basis of the ZIM GAZ-M-12 axle by shortening the axle shafts and their housings. Before this, the very first cars produced were equipped with a noisy rear axle with spiral bevel gears, which was a modernized GAZ-69 rear axle. Even at that time, lever shock absorbers and a pivot front suspension were considered archaic solutions, but the latter was more reliable and resistant to heavy loads than a design with ball joints. Interestingly, the car was equipped from the factory with a centralized lubrication system for the front suspension components using special tubes and hoses that delivered lubricant to all injection points - you just had to press the rod of a special pump. It was recommended to do this after driving through deep puddles and once every 100-200 km. The car received a hydraulic clutch from an outboard pedal and a three-bearing driveshaft. The braking system included a single circuit and drum brakes, while the front ones have separate brake pad hydraulic cylinders, while in the rear brakes both pads are actuated by one common cylinder. The parking brake is transmission, with a pull lever under the instrument panel. The car received 15-inch wheels and 6.70-15" (170-380) tires with an outer diameter of 72 cm.

No more attention was paid to the safety of the GAZ-21 than to any other domestic car of that time. The Volga received an automatic turn signal switch, but, for example, a windshield washer appeared only on cars of the next production. The car did not have seat belts - only some export modifications had places for their installation.

GAZ-21 is a legendary car that is of significant interest as an object for restoration. The cars of the first series, which are considered the rarest, are especially valued. Considering the availability of both restored copies in a more or less authentic form, and those that have undergone all kinds of tuning, as well as thoroughly worn-out cars that require significant investments, the price range is quite wide.

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GAZ-21 "Volga" is a Soviet rear-wheel drive passenger car serving as a middle class sedan. The model was mass-produced at the Gorky automobile plant from 1956 to 1970. The prototype was a Ford Mainline. In order to conduct detailed research on its automatic gearbox, a car manufacturer bought a similar machine.

Already at the onset of 1954, prototypes of cars began to be built. They were equipped with an overhead valve power unit, which was an experiment, and also had a hemispherical combustion chamber and a camshaft chain drive. It is worth mentioning that the latter did not perform well, so it was not approved for serial production. The entire GAZ model range.

Car history

Already in the next year, 1955, or more precisely on May 3, they began testing 3 cars at the state level. Two of them had an automatic transmission, and one had a manual transmission. As a test, the cars were to participate in a race from Moscow to Crimea and back. As soon as the first tests passed, the plant received permission to produce drawings, and they began to prepare for the production of the machines.

The appearance of the GAZ-21 car on the domestic automobile market was a real breakthrough. Outwardly, it looked a little like an American car, because it also had “shark fins”. The sedan began to be used in various structures, including the KGB.

In October 1956, the debut of 3 production GAZ-21 vehicles was released. They had a low-valve power unit bored out to 2.432 liters, the power of which was 65 horses. This modification received the marking “21B”.

And the next year the car was put on the assembly line. This gave the car its own overhead valve type power unit, the power of which increased to 70 horsepower. To this day, the car looks luxurious, despite the decades that have passed. Today you can see a lot of foreign cars on the road, which is understandable, since this is happening everywhere.

However, many years ago the car, which embodied power, grace, prosperity and elegance, has remained the same and still knows how to attract people's attention. Of course, it is worth recognizing that there are already a considerable number of cars, some of which are much more powerful, and some of which are technically far superior to this Soviet-made car.

However, the very consumption of this car has long not met environmental and current standards, which are associated with the ubiquitous struggle for energy saving, but almost every car enthusiast, if he sees a similar car on the street, simply cannot help but come up and “feel” the hood of the car, or stroke it roof or racks. In this article you can see a photo of the GAZ-21.

Exterior

The appearance of the GAZ-21 car can be called original, looking at its photo. Lev Eremeev, who was then an artist, created not only a unique appearance that fit perfectly with the fashion of past years, but also changed it over the course of 14 years while this model was being produced.

It is very important that the car cannot be called borrowed, copied or plagiarized. Judging by the photo of the GAZ-21-10, the car was in line with the fashion that was in past years. The car body itself did not receive a single straight line; most of the parts were round and patterned. This is clearly visible in the photo.

GAZ-21 third series

Uniformity between series has reached 100%. It became possible to change the decor, using only a file in the right places, so that the details and elements could fit. However, we are talking about the already familiar, unchangeable massive swollen fenders and a hood that is round and has a small hump along it.

Interestingly, this particular modification received front window washer nozzles. The side of the car looks a little curvy, partly due to its inflated shape and the line falling towards the front and rear. Considering all these points, the GAZ-21 can be called a fairly large car.

The huge stampings that can be found on the rear doors and on the wings make the car more expressive. On the one hand, it seems like it’s lightning, but if you look at it differently, it looks like the hind legs of a predatory cat. The massiveness is added by the ground clearance of the GAZ-21 - 1,900 mm. It gives the impression of a sort of off-road vehicle.

This can be achieved if you use native wide-profile tires, which have a much smaller width. As mentioned above, the ground clearance is simply amazing. However, if you remember at what time this car was produced, then everything falls into place. Back then there weren’t many roads themselves, to be honest, and it was necessary to drive through places where today many SUVs simply wouldn’t pass.

Chrome will not spoil the Volga, because it is almost everywhere here, and from the factory. It can be found in comfortable door handles with a standard grip and with a button. It can also be seen in small stripes at the bottom of doors and along the edges of windows. It’s simply impossible not to mention the large wheel cap saucers.

The factory also provided for the presence of export chrome, which was installed only on certain cars. There you could find a belt sill line of the molding, a chrome drain, a edging for the windshield, arrows on the wings and the name “Volga”. There are no side rear-view mirrors here, however, as in any series.

Among the distinctive features of the 3rd series are the gutters - here they reach the beginning of the wing, which is not easy to find in the debut and 2nd series. In general, the 3rd series turned out to be the fastest, thanks to its sophisticated innovative external materials. The rear features a large, prominent luggage compartment with a lid that extends to the top of the bumper.

The lights have a vertical direction and can be transferred to any previous modification. They were deprived of a heavy frame, only a thin edging along the edges made of chrome remained. The luggage compartment lid itself does not sit upright at high heights, resulting in a forced bending of the back during unloading and loading.

But this does not in any way negatively affect the loading of luggage into a fairly stowable luggage compartment. We have allocated a place for the spare tire on the right side, and between the wheel and the wall of the trunk you can install tools, which will then be better secured and will not run all over the bottom.

As for the crooked starter and rack jack, their installation does not take up any useful space, since there is a place for them from the factory. The bird, which found its place on the luggage compartment lid, inside which there was a button for opening that same lid, changed along with other changes.

And yes, it is worth admitting that there are fins here too, which speaks of the American style, but there is no point in saying that the Gorky plant “stole” this idea, because at that time this stylistic decision could be found on many cars, such was fashion.

GAZ-21 first generation

The design staff of GAZ-21 was able to design a car that can attract attention with its original appearance, despite its forty years of “experience”. With the help of precise calculations of power parts, it was possible to achieve high body strength.

Moreover, the Volga car was distinguished by increased resistance to corrosion using a specialized body treatment called “phosphating”. If we talk about the degree of body painting of the car itself, then some models do not need to be repainted even today.

Interior

The GAZ 21 interior itself can be described in a few words, without going into details - it is huge, comfortable and quite pleasant. However, it is simply impossible to remain silent about many of its features. Getting into the car is carried out without any problems, which is achieved partly by convenient door handles.

There is no need to lower your head. When landing, you find yourself on a rather large and soft sofa, which can be seen in the photo. Many already know that this factory model received a single front seat, which, if necessary, is lowered and moved to the steering wheel. If we talk about the seat, it is quite soft thanks to the installation of internal springs.

Front sofa

There is nothing restricting the body, so you can sit as you like, because seat belts were not provided even from the assembly line. However, if you move a little closer to the steering wheel, it will cause a little discomfort, because they didn’t know anything about adjusting the steering column back then. If necessary, you can wrap the ribs around the steering wheel.

However, there is a nice bonus - the gearbox is controlled using a lever that can be found on the steering wheel. It turns out that even three people can sit in front, because there is no backstage. Passengers sitting in front will be quite comfortable, because their legs can be placed where it is convenient.

Speaking of the dashboard, it is necessary to talk only about the famous transparent hemisphere of the speed sensor with a arrow layout, which stands out upward against the general background. There are fuel level indicators and an ammeter, and under them on the left side you can find the settings for air flow, light and stove. The front hood opening lever was placed on the floor.

The steering wheel is large and thin, there is a chrome high and low horn button, and a small medallion with an exquisite animal on it. Taking it in your hands, you cannot say that it is uncomfortable, although it is not as comfortable as that of foreign cars. However, there are some drawbacks here - time passes, and they begin to turn yellow, crack and collapse. It’s not so convenient for them to work, but it’s a matter of habit.

On the left behind the steering wheel there are turn signals, which, naturally, do not have automatic return, as well as a shift lever for a manual gearbox. They are not large in size, but they are quite convenient to work with, you don’t have to reach out, everything is nearby, which is undoubtedly pleasing.

To the right are the water and oil level sensors, the ignition switch and the choke. I was pleased that even in such a machine there is an unusual thing for many - a plug. In addition, it is working, and the car has a flashlight from the factory, which can be turned on while working as additional lighting.

The center of the dashboard also has its own tube radio, which operates in three frequency ranges. Today, cruise control is no surprise, but even in the USSR there was cruise control. The small round lever between the ashtray and the tube radio is the manual gas.

After setting the speed, you need to pull the lever towards you and remove your foot from the accelerator pedal - then the GAZ 21 Volga car continues to move further, just steer. The massive clock, which proudly bears the inscription: “Made in the USSR,” shows the time starting from that time.

To guide them, they provided a mechanism located under the torpedo. The glove compartment in the Volga turned out to be small. The dashboard in the cars of the debut modifications was not covered with anything on top, which is why the rays of the sun often reflected on the glass, which forced drivers to cover the surface with leatherette themselves. Later, they began to cover the surface from the conveyor belt.

The cabin was so comfortable and spacious, and the sofa was soft, that you could even spend the night in the car without any discomfort.

The back row also has huge space and a soft landing. There is enough legroom; three passengers can sit comfortably without discomfort. Even the floor transmission tunnel was not that huge and does not stand out much in the cabin. In order to move around, as well as to carry out convenient boarding and disembarking of passengers, handrails were provided, attached to the front sofa.

Rear sofa

For comfort here, on the second row, you can only find an ashtray. However, such soft sofas and large free space make it possible to use this car as a means for long trips - there is no need for camping or tents, there is a comfortable sleeping place.

All you need to do is fold out the front sofa and you can relax. The right center pillar has a small interior light switch and compact hooks for clothes. The luggage compartment volume was 170 liters of usable space.

Specifications

Power unit

This beauty was equipped with an in-line four-cylinder carburetor power unit ZMZ 21, the volume of which is 2.5 liters. This allows you to develop a power of 75 horsepower. Among its features, one can highlight the lower system - the camshaft is installed in the lower part of the block, and the valves operate through specialized rods.

It also has wet sleeves made of cast iron (and the block itself is made of aluminum) - it does not need boring. All that is necessary is to replace the piston group along with the liners. The engine turned out to be quite reliable; it has a negative attitude towards high speeds, but low speeds allow it to transport large loads, including a trailer.

The carburetor has the name K124, as well as a special window that allows you to find out the amount of fuel inside it. The engine has a considerable appetite. In front of the power unit, an element necessary in winter was installed - blinds. First, on a cold engine, you need to close them, then start it and wait until it warms up.

Afterwards, it is very important not to forget to open it, otherwise it will simply boil, because from the very beginning the car had a water cooling system. The engine consumes about 13.5 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle. Maximum speed at 130 km/h.

Transmission

The developers synchronized the unusual power unit with a 3-speed manual gearbox with a switch mounted on the steering wheel. The box has its moments, such as the lack of a synchronizer for forward and reverse gears, therefore, a double clutch release was required.

700 cars were produced with an automatic transmission, but they could not take root due to poor maintenance and the fact that the necessary hypoid oil was simply not available.

Suspension

They decided to install an independent spring suspension in front. Until 1960, a centralized suspension lubrication system was used, but the latter was very complex and often left stains on the road section. Therefore, there is a need for frequent lubrication. You can also see the anti-roll bar at the front.

The third series made it possible to have telescopic shock absorbers on the sedan instead of outdated lever ones. The rear of the car had a dependent suspension with a split axle on longitudinal springs, where there were telescopic shock absorbers. The disadvantage of this bridge is that after the stockings are separated, it is very difficult to assemble them, mainly to expose the contact patch.

Steering

It was devoid of amplifiers and used outdated king pins. The steering column was not adjustable. There was a pendulum mechanism.

Brake system

The brake system is a drum mechanism with no pedal booster. They didn’t forget about the parking brake, which was located on the gearbox, like in all previous cars.

It is logical that thanks to this the cardan transmission is blocked. There was a fly in the ointment, because when a sedan has one wheel on the asphalt and the other on a wet or slippery surface and uphill, it can go.

Specifications

Body	4-door sedan (modification GAZ-22 - 5-door station wagon)
Number of doors	4/5
Number of seats	5
Length	4770 mm
Width	1695 mm
Height	1620 mm
Wheelbase	2700 mm
Front track	1410 mm
Rear track	1420 mm
Ground clearance	190 mm
Trunk volume	170 l
Engine location	front longitudinal
engine's type	carburetor, 4-cylinder, with aluminum cylinder block and cast-iron wet liners, overhead valve
Engine capacity	2432 cm 3
Power	65/3800 l. With. at rpm
Torque	167/2200 N*m at rpm
Valves per cylinder	2
checkpoint	3-speed with 2nd and 3rd gear synchronizer
Front suspension	independent lever-spring
Rear suspension	dependent spring
Front brakes	drums
Rear brakes	drums
Fuel consumption	9 l/100 km
Maximum speed	120 km/h
type of drive	rear
Curb weight	1460 kg
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	34 sec.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros of the car

• High-quality Volga body;
• High corrosion resistance using phosphating of structural steel;
• High-quality painting;
• Low cost and ease of interchangeability of elements and parts;
• Pleasant appearance;
• Good aerodynamics of the car;
• Not a bad engine;
• High ground clearance;
• Quite a large volume of luggage compartment;
• Spacious interior;
• Comfortable and soft sofa installed in front and behind;
• There is a radio;
• Good dynamic characteristics;
• Soft suspension that allows you to absorb most bumps and holes;
• Rich story;
• Application of modern technologies when creating suspension.

Cons of the car

• An outdated engine that has not undergone any changes;
• Most of the details in the design are simply outdated;
• Large vehicle weight;
• The automatic gearbox did not catch on;
• Lack of hydraulic boosters in the steering and braking systems;
• Unreliable parking brake;
• Unjustified centralized lubrication system;
• Poor design of the 3-speed manual gearbox;
• There are no seat belts;
• The steering column is not adjustable;
• Minor adjustments to the front sofa.

Let's sum it up

After getting acquainted with such a “work of art,” only pleasant memories remain. If it can appeal today, it's hard to imagine what a stir it caused in 1957. The car had smooth, rounded lines and outlines, a pleasant appearance and the “shark fins” that were popular in those days.

This is enough to understand that we are talking about a “car-tank”, “car-big-sofa”, a symbol of an entire era...

The creation of the Volga began in November 1953, when the lead designer of the project, Alexander Mikhailovich Nevzorov, drew the first line on whatman paper. The design of the car was developed by Lev Eremeev. And already in 1954, the construction of prototypes began. They were equipped with an experimental overhead valve engine with a hemispherical combustion chamber and a camshaft chain drive (it did not perform well and did not go into mass production). Two gearboxes were developed for the new car - automatic and manual. Both were three-stage.

A.M. Nevzorov (1925-2005)

Tires 6.70-15. A chrome deer soared from the hood of the car. A wide molding ran from it in the center of the hood to the windshield. Radiator trim with 10 vertical holes. The taillights included parking lights, brake lights and turn indicators - three in one red lens and a reversing light in a chrome-plated steel frame. Volgas began to be equipped with a tri-band radio as standard equipment.

1955 On May 3, state tests of three Volga models began - two with automatic transmission and one with manual transmission. Part of the tests was the run from Moscow to Crimea and back. Immediately after the first tests, permission was received to release drawings and prepare for production.

1957 Staging " GAZ-21"on the conveyor. Volga receives its own engine - an overhead valve, with a power of 70 hp (before that there was a lower valve, bored to 2432 cc, with a power of 65 hp from the GAZ-20 Pobeda). On the Volga for the first time in In the domestic automotive industry, automatic transmissions were installed as standard, but due to the poor situation in the country with high-quality oils and highly qualified service, only 700 cars with automatic transmissions were produced.

In just two years of production of the 21st generation, about 31,000 cars were produced.

Certain features of foreign analogues are reflected in “ Volga", especially in the design of individual body elements (for example, rotary door locks; however, the load-bearing base of the body itself was closest in design to the previous GAZ models - Pobeda and ZiM) and interior design (for example , the final version of the speedometer in the form of a transparent “hemisphere” appeared only after studying the Ford car - early M-21 prototypes had several different options for a completely different design of the instrument panel, completely recessed into the dashboard), which allows us to conclude that they were carefully studied and lack of sufficient personal experience in designing modern cars.

Some of the foreign analogues studied at the plant during the corresponding period or attracted for joint testing:
1954 Ford Mainline
(USA, 1952-54)

1953 Chevrolet Styleline DeLuxe
(USA, 1949-54)
A similar one was used in testing together with the M-21.

October 10, 1956. Release of the first three production samples" GAZ-21". They were equipped with a Pobedov lower-valve engine bored to 2.432 liters and producing 65 hp. This car is known as "21B".

The design of the Volga, starting from the very first layouts and prototypes, was also made by Lev Eremeev completely independently, and did not bear direct similarities with specific foreign analogues beyond the unity within the framework of the style of those years (it must be borne in mind that the prototypes had a design in generally similar to the future “second” series, that is, “shark mouth”.

It should be noted that the Volga was created under the influence (mainly) of the American school of automotive engineering, and from a design point of view it was the original Soviet interpretation of the so-called “aerostyle” coming from America, which was popular in those years all over the world.

1962 "Volga" becomes a car of the 60s. Cosmetic changes were enough for this. The body itself remains the same. But its silhouette has lost the heaviness of previous modifications. The fangs have disappeared from the bumpers. The bumpers themselves have become more elegant. Now only their upper part was covered with chrome, and the lower part, the apron, was painted in the color of the body. The front bumper has become wedge-shaped in plan. Instead of 16 wide holes, 36 narrow ones appeared in the radiator lining. The rear lights lost their steel frame; they, along with the reflector, began to be cast from plastic. The new license plate light on the trunk takes on the shape of a soaring seagull.

Cars produced from 1956 to November 1958 subsequently received the name “first series” (also, “first issue”, “with a star”). Quite a few cars “with a star” have survived to this day in their original form, but the bulk of the surviving cars have been partially converted into later modifications, which is associated with the relatively high demand for the “first release” on the Russian oldtimer market.

The main feature of the interior of the first series is an all-metal instrument panel with a “low” receiver trim and a loudspeaker located on top, covered with a metal grille. Moreover, it remained this way until the end of 1958, that is, even after the transition to type II cladding series

21 Volga

Cars produced at the end of 1958 - the very beginning of 1959 are usually called “transitional”, and those produced in 1959-1962 are called the “second series” (“second release”). At the end of 1958, the car was modernized, mainly externally. The shape of the front wings changed in favor of enlarging the wheel arches, the design of the front end began to generally repeat the appearance of one of the prototypes of 1955 (the so-called “shark mouth”, with 16 slots in the radiator grille), accordingly, due to the change in the radiator lining, a new hood lock appeared . The interior and mechanical parts remained virtually unchanged, although gradual modernization continued.

Design of the rear part of the “second edition” (non-original parts include rear view mirrors, “grounding” under the bumper, rear window seal from a Zhiguli).

For the 1962 model year, the car was again modernized, this time more radically. The modernized models received the common code name “third series”. Quantitatively they are the most common. The external design has completely changed - a new radiator grille has appeared, nicknamed “whalebone”, consisting of 37 vertical pillars (later this grille pattern was used on many other GAZ passenger models); bumpers without “fangs” with a horizontal division into two halves - the lower one is painted in the color of the body; the figure of a deer and the molding disappeared from the hood (even on the late “second series” deer were rarely installed, more often a teardrop-shaped, injury-proof decorative detail, a “drop”). The general design idea of ​​the 1962 Volga was less chrome, more clean lines. Some style features echo the Chaika GAZ-13, while the “second series” was stylistically quite close to the Chaika’s predecessor, the GAZ-M-12 ZiM. The prototypes of the 1962 model had other differences

1965 Ryazanov is filming “Beware of the Car” at Mosfilm. It is unlikely that now there would be an actor capable of stealing a car so beautifully. And the audience loved Yuri Detochkin, his trophies and the waltz, to the beat of which the car rushing along the highway swayed. Volga"beige color."

The Gorky plant carried out the latest modernization of the 21st model. The car's side members were strengthened and a more efficient heater and windshield wipers were installed. The front wheel hubs began to be equipped with roller bearings instead of ball bearings.

A project for restyling the Volga was also prepared. This is what it could look like 21st Volga 4th generation.

In the 1950s, at the Gorky Automobile Plant there was a need to develop a new “middle class” car that would adequately replace the GAZ M-20 Pobeda on the assembly line. Work on the creation of the machine began in 1952, and in the spring of 1954, experimental prototypes saw the light of day.

The first conventionally serial GAZ-21 Volga (known as the GAZ-M21 until 1965) were released in October 1956, but Gorky launched full production of the sedan, which surpassed its predecessor in all respects in all respects, only in April 1957.

At the end of 1958, the car underwent modernization (the so-called “second series”) - its appearance was updated, mostly in the front part, and the mechanical “stuffing” was slightly improved.

In 1962, the four-door was again modified (“third series”), transforming mainly on the outside, after which it was produced until July 1970, when it finally gave way to the GAZ-24 model.

And now the GAZ-21 Volga looks elegant, emphatically expressive and quite dynamic, and when it appeared on the market, it was a real breakthrough in terms of design, especially for the Soviet automobile industry. Smooth and streamlined shapes of the front end, flavored with chrome, a harmonious silhouette with convex strokes on the sides and rounded rear fenders, an upturned rear with vertical lights and a “shiny” bumper - undoubtedly, but the car is really good-looking.

“Twenty-one” extends 4810-4830 mm in length, 1800 mm in width, and does not exceed 1610 mm in height. The wheelbase and clearance under the “belly” of the three-volume vehicle are 2700 mm and 190 mm, respectively. The curb weight of the vehicle varies from 1450 to 1490 kg, depending on the modification.

The interior of the GAZ-21 Volga leaves an extremely pleasant impression, not only with its design, but also with its quality of execution. Inside the sedan there is a classic atmosphere - a large “steering wheel” with a thin and “flat rim”, an instrument panel that is original by today’s standards with a translucent speedometer sphere and auxiliary indicators, a minimalist dashboard with a radio, an analog clock and various switches.

The main “trump card” of the car is the internal space: two solid sofas are installed in front and behind (which is why the four-door is considered a six-seater) with soft filling, and in the first case, also with adjustments for the length and angle of the backrest.
In addition, the front seat can be pushed back almost to the steering column, and the backrest can be folded back, thereby creating a huge bed.

The trunk of the GAZ-21 Volga can accommodate up to 400 liters of luggage, and the compartment has a very good shape. True, a good share of the volume is “eaten up” by the full-size spare wheel.

Specifications. The “21st” is driven by an overhead valve naturally aspirated petrol engine ZMZ-12/12A with a volume of 2.5 liters (2445 cubic centimeters) with an aluminum cylinder head, four in-line “pots”, an 8-valve timing belt, carburetor injection, a rectangular intake manifold cross-section, contact ignition system and liquid cooling.
Its output varies from 65 to 80 horsepower at 4000 rpm and from 170 to 180 Nm of torque, which is generated at 2200 rpm.

On the vast majority of cars, the engine is mated to a 3-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive transmission, but some modifications use a 3-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission.

The original Volga accelerates to the first “hundred” in no less than 25 seconds, reaches a maximum speed of 120-130 km/h, and it “destroys” 13-13.5 liters of fuel in a mixed driving cycle.

The GAZ-21 has an all-metal monocoque body with subframes at the ends, and its power unit is located longitudinally in the front part. On the front axle of the car, an independent pivot suspension is used on wishbones, which are connected by threaded bushings, and springs, while at the rear there is a dependent system with longitudinal springs and telescopic shock absorbers (until 1962 - lever shock absorbers).
The sedan is equipped with a globoidal worm-type steering mechanism with a double-ridge roller and a gear ratio of 18.2. All wheels of a Soviet passenger car are equipped with drum brake devices.

In addition to the basic one, there are other modifications of the Volga of the original incarnation:

• GAZ-21T– a car for a taxi service, devoid of a number of equipment, but equipped with a taximeter and a “beacon”. In addition, it has a split front seat and a folding front passenger seat, which frees up space for carrying luggage.
• GAZ-22- a five-door station wagon, which was mass-produced from 1962 to 1970 in various versions: a “civilian” general-purpose model, an aircraft escort vehicle, an “ambulance” and others. This Volga comes with a 5- or 7-seater convertible interior and a spacious cargo compartment.

• GAZ-23- this is a “police catch-up”, the production of which was carried out in small batches from 1962 to 1970, and it was used by the KGB and other special services. Such cars were painted predominantly black, and under their hood they had a 5.5-liter V8 petrol engine from the Chaika, which generated 195 horsepower and was combined with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

• GAZ-21S- an export version of the Volga, which featured improved interior trim and richer equipment compared to the standard model.

Among the advantages of the Soviet sedan are: elegant appearance, spacious and comfortable interior, reliable body structure, durable and energy-intensive suspension, exclusivity on the roads, high maintainability, ample opportunities for tuning and much more.
But it also has many disadvantages: weak engines, serious problems with ergonomics, low level of safety, high cost and difficulties in finding original spare parts and components.

Prices. In 2017, you can buy a Volga GAZ-21 in Russia at a price of 100 thousand rubles - but it will turn out to be the kind of model that will make the Bulgarian cry. While the cost of perfectly restored cars (especially the first series) exceeds a million rubles.