In the Soviet Union, a huge number of various cars were created. Not all of them were equally good and successful. It is another matter when samples that really deserved the attention of the people or at least individual services and organizations did not get into the series for one reason or another. Just today we will talk about such "special" and very rare off-road vehicles.
1. VAZ-E2121 "Crocodile"
The prototype VAZ-E2121, nicknamed "Crocodile", appeared in 1971. The chief designer of the project was engineer Vladimir Soloviev, who, back in the 1960s, came up with the idea of creating a new ultralight SUV. The result is a car with four-wheel drive and a 1.6-liter power unit. The Crocodile had a removable top and a frankly "Spartan" interior. The prototype received its nickname for its unprepossessing (even at that time) body shape and green color. Although the car passed the first round of tests in 1973, they decided to abandon the release of the VAZ-E2121 into production. The SUV came out too uncomfortable.
2. VAZ-2122 "River"
This creation of the Volga Automobile Plant was born in 1976. The all-wheel drive hatchback was originally conceived as an amphibious vehicle for the army. Actually, it was the ability to swim that became the main feature of 2122. The designers believed that the "Reka" could be used to transport small loads, personnel, transport the wounded, as well as help in the installation of various heavy weapons. We fought on the project right up to 1983. It all ended with a cut in funding and the subsequent closure of the project in the era of Gorbachev's reforms.
3. GAZ-61
One of the few little-known Soviet off-road vehicles that was produced in any respectable quantity. The 61st was developed at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War and was produced for 5 years. The off-road vehicle has been adapted to carry out a variety of tasks at the front. The GAZ-61 was used as a command vehicle, transport for personnel, and a tractor. A total of 6 phaetons, 2 pickups, 36 tractors and 194 sedans were produced. Many nodes from the 61st were used to create the GAZ-64.
4. GAZ-64 "Pygmy"
This car was developed by Soviet designers in just 2 months. Only a few "Pygmies" have survived to this day. This is because they were produced only from 1941 to 1943. The vehicles were used as staff, reconnaissance vehicles, and also as tractors at the front. Unfortunately, there is little evidence of this particular model being used. Most of the Pygmies did not survive the war.
5. GAZ M-72
Truly one of the most interesting and colorful results of technical research of the engineers of the Gorky Automobile Plant. The car was developed in the 1950s and was mass-produced from 1955 to 1958. During this time, they managed to collect 4,677 copies. The all-wheel drive fastback was positioned as a "Victory" of cross-country ability. From the last car got the body, and most of the nodes were borrowed from the GAZ-69. Despite many successful and interesting solutions, the car did not take root in the Union due to the actual lack of demand for such vehicles. The car was used mainly for household needs.
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6. GAZ M-73
At one time, the 73rd looked like a very promising car, but for some reason it was not even awarded a limited edition. Most likely due to the fact that there was simply nowhere to use the M-73 in Soviet conditions. A domestic off-road pickup truck worked wonders on the road. However, alas and ah, the serial production of the model was abandoned even at the stage of the first tests.
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7. GAZ-24-95
Finally, one cannot help but recall such a car as the GAZ-24-95. The car was born in the fall of 1968. As you might guess even from its appearance, modification "95" was a four-wheel drive version of the famous GAZ-24. Most of the off-road units and assemblies moved to the model from the UAZ-469. Interestingly, there was no frame in the 95th. It's just that the car did not go into the series after the tests in 1974. In total, 5 test copies were collected. The plant's management decided that there would be no demand for such models in the USSR.
If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should read about 7 popular used carsthat rot in a couple of seasons.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/091020/56316/