ZAZ-968A: specifications and photos

The price of this car in the early 70's was only 3500 rubles. He was rightly considered the most democratic and most popular means of transportation in the whole USSR. And while ZAZ-968A was a dream for every Soviet family. Despite his age, the car is a permanent hero of anecdotes. Let's get acquainted with the history of this folk car, learn about its technical equipment and characteristics. Review ZAZ - later in our article.

The legend that everyone has heard of

The USSR was in the 1960s, and at the Zaporozhye plant "Kommunar" a small car, ZAZ-965, was launched into production. The appearance of the domestic development was reminiscent of the cult then Fiat 500. A little later the car was subjected to a huge number of changes, among which - the installation of a new body. Engineers will increase its size - it will be a two-door sedan. Also, the engine will undergo significant modifications. However, this car will eventually go down into the annals of history.

In 1980, the automobile community of the USSR was represented by ZAZ-968a, which almost without changes was assembled on the conveyors of the Zaporozhye plant until 1994.

It is interesting that this comic character is manifested already in the name of the model. So, the index 968 suggests an association with the "Porsche-968". The letter hints that the design is akin to the powerful Bavarian machines created in the tuning department of Motosport. The very first such index began to be used in Zaporozhye. It is still unclear why Western automakers did not sue the USSR for copyright infringement.

But anyway, ZAZ-968a Zaporozhets was the most affordable car for any Soviet citizen. Naturally, to count on some kind of comfort during the operation of this machine was completely not necessary. But for utilitarian tasks the car more than approached - goes, and it is good. Such simple tasks the machine performed no worse, and maybe even better than other domestic models.

On the level of passability Zaporozhye car could only compare to monsters-off-road cars. Due to the rear-engine arrangement of ZAZ-968a, UAZs have overcome marshes and snowdrifts in winter.

Now on the roads these machines are still here and there. But they do not fulfill their task, and they are exploited only as a hobby (for example, they often buy for a project). Those who are not so fond of automatics, in order to tune "Zaporozhets", are happy to sell their ZAZ. Now anyone can buy such a machine. Sell it for the price of good sneakers or inexpensive smartphone - up to $ 200.

Thus, even poor students can get unprecedented opportunities - for example, having "Zaporozhets", you can easily get rich. Automobile bloggers installed a ZAZ-968a engine from the BMW-520 e34, shot about a series of commercials and earned a good start. Well, it is doubly more pleasant when such a "Zaporozhets" tears up some modern powerful foreign car on the road to shreds.

A bit of history

Looking at the intensity with which the automotive industry develops in the world, in the USSR it was decided that it was necessary to completely rework ZAZ-965, or "Humpbacked." By removing this model from production, the team of design engineers began to work actively to create a more modern car. And in 1970 the ZAZ-968 comes off the assembly line. ZAZ-968A will appear a couple of years later - in the 74th year.

Adhering to the strategy of general availability, the designers decided not to pay too much attention to the level of comfort. Therefore, the new machine had only a basic set of electrical appliances, rear engine layout, as well as a primitive interior.

The last modernization with the car happened in the year 79 is ZAZ-968M. Here there was a new front part, new rear side lights, another instrument panel.

Appearance

Compared with the previous modification, ZAZ-968a looked newer and more modern. The dimensions became proportional. The body of the car is bearing, all-metal. Finishing it has become more acceptable. On the rear wings, the designers placed interesting in form air intakes. It is also possible to distinguish the rear arches - they are made low-lowered.

"Zaporozhets" - it's still a small class sedan, designed for four passengers. But about any comfort of speech does not go. Interesting is the fact that engineers used universal locks in the design - they could be opened with anything.
But the car was painted very qualitatively. Painted in a single color. Now many consider this to be one of the main advantages of the model. The paint was not peeled off and did not peel even after tens of years of hard exploitation. You can also highlight the high resistance of the body to corrosion. These cars have not been processed, and they have reached our days without holes. On many ZAZ-968a the bottom is whole and has never been repaired.

The doors were stamped and consisted of two parts. They were equipped with a manual mechanism for lowering / raising the panes and a pivoting glass pane with a latch from the inside.

Interior

Inside the car ZAZ-968a (photo of the salon is in our article) surprises with its modesty, to say the least. Here, a minimum of instruments, a small mirror, an independent stove, a sufficiently compressed space. Interior decoration is made with monophonic materials without any hint of minimal coziness. But at the same time it is possible to allocate quite good chairs.
Of the options that could be found in the cabin, highlight the upholstery of the ceiling, peaks from the sun, glove box. The stove, although it was autonomous, but judging by the feedback of the owners, it did not matter. Ride in "Zaporozhets" Russian winter was simply unrealistic.

The luggage compartment resembles a good "glove compartment" in its volume. Even a large subwoofer can not fit in it. But you can easily get out of the situation - just remove the front passenger seat or install the trunk on the roof.

ZAZ-968a: technical specifications

The model was produced from 1974 to 1980. The length of the body was 3730 mm, width - 1570 mm, height - 1400 mm. The ride height is 190 mm. The curb weight is 840 kg. Next, we'll tell you about the motor and the box separately.

Engine

The power unit in this car is located behind; In the process of repair and maintenance it is available completely. This four-stroke carburetor MeZM 968 with a capacity of 1.2 liters. Its power is 40 liters. from. At work this unit made terrible sounds, but with a working exhaust system, the voice of the engine was quite tolerable. The resource of power units did not differ in duration - on average it was about 40-50 thousand km. However, this was due to the fact that the owners used any oils and even work-up. At the same time, the motor did not lose its characteristics and produced all the power. Also on this "food" there were no serious breakages.

MeZM-968 was characterized by the top position of the valves and the air cooling system. It must be said that with cooling the car has always been a big problem. Cylinders cast-iron, V-shaped - they could easily be removed, and they differed ribbed surface. But the cylinder head was aluminum. The crankshaft was cast iron and was well balanced with a flywheel and a centrifuge. The timing was gear type with an upper valve arrangement. The mechanism had a balancer, bars, camshaft, and also rocker arms.
The engine accelerated the car to 100 km / h for the eternal 38 seconds. The average fuel consumption was never higher than 7.8 l / 100 km. And here it should be noted that the car was operated exclusively on bad roads.

Transmission

Engineers used together with this power unit a four-speed manual gearbox. It differed in that it had three moves and was combined together with the differential. Its design has not changed since the 965th model. At first the box worked quite well. But in the process of operating traction blurted out, and the switching lost its clarity. On cars that have survived to this day, the checkpoint howls, the transmissions themselves fly out. On some models there is no rear gear. Quickly wear out the clutch, although the system had a hydraulic drive.

Suspension

The suspension was used lever-torsion type. The system represented two pipes connected by means of brackets. Also in the system used hydraulic shock absorbers with springs. The rear suspension was equipped with a steel double lever. The floor of the car was attached to it. All those cars that are on sale today have already badly broken steering rods and bearings in the hubs. Riding on such cars can be just dangerous.

Brake system

Brakes for these cars installed drum (on the front and rear axle). Their peculiarity was in the floating type of pads. The clearance between the pads was regulated by means of a special regulator.
Naturally, this design does not meet modern requirements. But for a car with such characteristics it is enough. The main brake cylinder ZAZ-968a sometimes leaked, and constantly had to repair it. Over time, the adhesion of the pads to the drum deteriorates. Brakes require constant maintenance (however, like all suspension parts).

Conclusion

So, we found out the history of origin and technical characteristics of ZAZ-968a. Very few such specimens have survived to this day. But, despite the rarity, the car is always on sale. The price tag rarely exceeds 200 dollars. Of course, after the purchase you will have to spend a lot on repairs. But ZAZ-968 is one of the most budgetary cars that you can take under the project.