|
The Volga GAZ-24 (pronounced Volga; nickname ''Barja'' (Barge)) is an automobile manufactured by the Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (GAZ, Gorky Automobile Plant) from 1970 to 1985 as a generation of its Volga marque. A largely redesigned version (practically, a new car in modified old body) - GAZ-24-10 - was produced from 1985 to 1992. It was sold as the Scaldia-Volga M24 and M24D in the Western European market. == 1967-69 == Development of the GAZ-24 (then called M-24) finished in 1966 when several prototypes () were built. The Volga GAZ-24 was unveiled towards the end of 1967. However, only 32 units were built in 1968,]]).〔Thompson, Andy. ''Cars of the Soviet Union'' (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p.131〕 primarily for road tests, with another 215 units built in 1969.〔Thompson, p.131〕 1968/69-built Volgas are often called "pre-serial" because full-scale manufacturing started only in 1970 (18,486 units built). Distinctive feature of the very first several prototypes were two outside rearview mirrors fixed on front fenders. Most of the pre-serial and all serial cars got one mirror placed on front left door (). The GAZ-24 was developed to replace outdated Volga GAZ-21 developed in 1950s. The new Volga had a longer wheelbase () than the GAZ-21 (2700 mm (106 in), but slightly shorter overall length ( compared to ) ) and was substantially lower (() compared to ). Width remained untouched. Long wheelbase, boxier styling, bucket seats with lower bases and flat roof made the new Volga generously sized inside, with comfortable five- or six-passenger seating. The car was designed to last for years in severe road conditions, and its reinforced unibody construction gave the Volga extra weight if compared to foreign analogs. Yet power steering was not even an option, and it gained the nickname "''barzha''" (barge).〔 Standard engine was aluminium-block overhead valve ZMZ 24D inline-four producing with one twin-choke carburetor. Only a four-speed manual transmission with floor-mounted shifter was offered (though GAZ did prototype an automatic, a column-shift manual, and a three-speed manual with overdrive).〔Thompson, p.130.〕 The GAZ-21 trim lines ("standard" and "improved") were dropped, all GAZ-24 Volgas had similar trim. No specific options or extras were listed, but standard equipment included self-adjusting power drum brakes with front/rear split brake system, three-wave radio with power antenna, interior safety padding, central armrests (both front and rear), alternator, three-speed windshield wiper and foot-operated windshield washer, heater with defroster, rear window defogger, electric clock, and trunk and engine compartment lights. Early cars had "ribbon" speedometers (), with gauges that filled up with red, in a thermometer fashion. The interior was available in three colours - red, brown or light gray. The dashboard was made of aluminium and painted in exterior colour, the upper part covered with safety padding and black vinyl. The Volga's styling was rather conventional and American inspired. Some features were thematically quite similar to those on the GAZ-21 such as vertical tail lights, so called "baleen plates" grille, tiny fins on rear fenders. One of the most recognizable feature of the GAZ-24 Volga sedan styling are chromed rhombic vents on the C-pillar (). Among another distinctive features can be mentioned dashboard handles with "ivory" plastic inserts (), two chromed "fangs" under front bumper (), large two spoke steering wheel and large chromed parking brake handle placed under the dashboard on the right. Interior colour selection was so haphazard, it was a standing joke the choice was made based on whatever was immediately at hand.〔Thompson, p.134.〕 Official cars were almost always black outside and red inside.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「GAZ-24」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|
