Vehiclephotography: Volga GAZ-24 in Ukraine. A Short History of Creation

Volga GAZ 24 - a middle class car, created to replace GAZ 21. It was produced in the GAZ factory (GAZ - Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod) from 1969 to 1992 in USSR. By the beginning of the 1960s it became clear that the GAZ 21 model was becoming obsolete and it was necessary to develop a replacement model. The first works on the new model were initiated in 1960 by a group of designers of the factory. In 1959 an exhibition of American industry was held in Moscow and GAZ designers executed the first sketches of GAZ 24. Since 1961, a group of designers has joined the work. From 1962 to 1965, several models with different designs were created. By 1965, there were two main options: with two or four headlights. In 1966, the first experimental models were built with two variants of the design of the front of the machine. In series production, a modification with two headlights and a vertical grille of the radiator eventually went off. The new model was created with the expectation of installing just 4 different engines: from 4 to 8 cylinder power units. A modified engine GAZ 21, called ZMZ-24, and a mechanical 4-speed gearbox were installed on the production car. At the factory they planned to finally master the model with an automatic box, but it didn't work out. It should be noted that some foreign GAZ dealers completed 24 foreign Peugeot engines.

The first cars production was in 1968 and at full capacity the conveyor went to 1969. The model enjoyed a resounding success. She won two gold medals at exhibitions in Plovdin and Leipzig. The interior of the car became larger and more spacious. The model had a unique ventilation system. Just for her on the rear racks of the model there are "gills" - air intakes. There were new brakes with amplifiers and a back windshield with warm air. A radio was included as standard.

The exterior design of the car combines the features of American models of the late 1950s. The final version of the car design does not copy any known model and is completely original. Against the backdrop of foreign analogues of the 1970s, the model looked very modern. It is worth noting that in the design of the machine there is a continuity of generations - the horizontal grille of the radiator with a lot of holes practically repeats the grid on the GAZ 21 "third series". The interior of the car changed along with the course of production and was repeatedly modernized.

Since 1969 GAZ 24 was equipped with an upgraded engine from GAZ 21, called ZMZ-24. It had a working volume of 2.4 liters and produced a power of 98 hp. The upgraded version of the 24-10 was fitted with a ZMZ-402.10 engine with 100 hp. The maximum speed was 145 km / h with the engine ZMZ-24 and 147 km / h with ZMZ-402.10. It should be noted that for the special services, a modification of the model with the index 24-24 was developed, which received a 5.5-liter engine and a power of 195 hp.

Camera: Canon EOS 1200D

• The photos taken in 2017.