There are many automobile manufactures in the domestic open spaces, which in one way or another have written their name in history. Of course, the famous Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant is no exception in this regard. However, not every man in the street knows the unusual pages of the history of the concern itself, as well as the achievements and real scale of the popularity of its models. And in vain, because all of them will only give a new reason to be proud of the domestic brand. Here are eight little-known facts about the legendary UAZ concern, which allow you to look at it from a different angle.
1. About the Great Patriotic War and its role in the emergence of car manufacturing in Ulyanovsk
The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant has existed for a long time, but not everyone knows the history of its appearance. So, for example, the opinion is very popular that the threat of the invasion of the Third Reich into the territory of the USSR was the reason for the creation of a new enterprise. Moreover, at that time there were no plans to launch a separate production from scratch. Before the start of World War II, the ZIS concern was the largest Soviet automobile manufacturer, but when hostilities began, in order to preserve production capacity, it was decided to evacuate production to Ulyanovsk.
2. About the first car assembled in Ulyanovsk
The famous ZIS-5V truck was produced in 1942 in Ulyanovsk, which means that it became the first car assembled there. True, this car was a modification of the existing 5th version of the ZIS, with some differences from the latter - for example, the new model had simplified front fenders. Auto designers, and after them the authorities, were so inspired and satisfied with the efficiency of not only the car itself, but also the capacities by which it was created, that it was decided to continue car production in Ulyanovsk. In addition, the construction of a plant has begun, which will be equipped with equipment from the capital.
3. About the first unrealized concept of a car from Ulyanovsk
As in the history of any automobile concept, the plant in Ulyanovsk received a similar story in the first years. So, in 1944, the designer Shaposhnikov developed a new truck model using technical documentation provided by General Motors. We are talking about UlZIS-253: the machine, it would seem, was quite promising - in particular, it was capable of transporting goods weighing up to four tons. However, her story, without really starting, ended: according to the Novate.ru editorial office, the model was added to the ZIS line, but the project was suddenly closed, and the prototype was never put into production.
4. About SUVs GAZ, which were produced at UAZ
The first decades after the start of work in Ulyanovsk, all the facilities of the plant, producing GAZs, were located. Around the same time, the production of GAZ-69 and GAZ-69A was started. In fact, it was these modifications that became the first off-road vehicles that came off the assembly line of the Ulyanovsk plant. At the same time, the abbreviation GAZ was still installed on the hood, there was no famous emblem of a seagull and, accordingly, the inscription UAZ. That is, it turned out that almost no one knew where this machine was actually produced.
5. About the UAZ-469 record
Perhaps it is difficult to find a more famous domestic SUV than the UAZ-469. And if many people know about this, then not everyone knows that this car became the Guinness book holder. So, the UAZ-469 turned out to be the most capacious car on the planet: it was possible to put 32 people in its cabin, the total weight of which was almost two thousand kilograms. Moreover, the car loaded with so many passengers also managed to drive ten meters. And in order to set this record, it was not even necessary to remove the roof of the car.
6. About the length of the UAZ assembly line
Another unique record was set by UAZ thanks to its assembly line, the length of which is only three hundred meters. This makes it the shortest conveyor line in Europe. Only this does not interfere with the assembly on this conveyor, including the largest domestic cars. And after assembly, a stage of testing each car takes place - for this purpose, there is a special testing ground on the basis of the enterprise.
7. On the scale of the popularity of the Loaf
Another truly legendary car from the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant is the Loaf or UAZ-452. Moreover, despite a sufficient number of critical opinions about this model, it is actually very attractive not only not in domestic spaces, but also in many countries of the world. For example, the car is very popular among the Italians, who use it for tourist walks to Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna. Also, on its basis, a fire engine was created, participating in various rescue operations. Other options for using the Loaf include participation in geological exploration operations, delivery of food and water to residents of remote mountain areas.
8. About the UAZ-452 cult in Japan
It seems amazing, but even a state like Japan, which is famous all over the world for its vast car market and the technological capabilities of its modernization, the local auto designers simply adore the domestic Loaf. In particular, the Japanese like to use tuning the front of their trucks by analogy with the UAZ-452, and sometimes completely copy the exterior of the legendary Russian SUV.
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