16 most unusual cars created on the basis of UAZ

Since its inception, vehicles produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant have been in demand. Until now, among motorists there are adherents of these cars, which are distinguished by their simplicity and reliability. At all times, there were specialists who were not satisfied with the basic configuration of UAZ cars and tried to turn it into something unusual. There have been many modernization options, but I would like to focus on the most unusual and memorable ones.

Luxury transport

Based on UAZ cars, in the 90s a company called LLD, which had working areas in Sergiev Posad and Moscow, assembled UAZ-31512 SUVs, which belonged to the luxury segment. The LLD company, founded by the Larin brothers together with friends, worked in a certain style and produced work of such quality that it was often compared to Matorelli, a company in Italy. During tuning, the craftsmen used exclusively domestic components. The main advantage of the SUV was its hard roof, for which multilayer sandwich panels were used. It was equipped with special fasteners that made the roof quickly removable. The interior also underwent changes, in which a new steering wheel, a plastic panel, and even new floor mats were installed.

Characteristics of UAZ

Description of the UAZ car

UAZ (Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant) was created as a result of the evacuation in 1941 of a small automobile plant in the city of Ulyanovsk. Initially, the plant's production was aimed at creating military equipment, such as aerial bombs, since from 1939 to 1945 the automobile industry in the USSR fell into decline with the advent of the war. In 1942, the first five cars came out of the plant, at that time not UAZ, but ZIS (in honor of I.V. Stalin). The increase in production occurred a few years later, with the end of hostilities and the plant's transition to a completely automotive-oriented orientation. Already in 1949, at a Russian car exhibition, UAZ presented a legendary car called 300. But due to some reasons, the UAZ 300 never made it onto the production line, which led to the fact that the car never entered mass production.

In 1954, a department of designers and engineers was created at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, who were involved in developments in the automotive industry. And already in 1955 the world saw the first GAZ-69 car, and subsequently the production of trailers for these cars began.

In 1960, engineers invented rod conveyor production, which led to an increase in the efficiency and speed of car production several times. Already in 1961, the plant put UAZ-451d model trucks on the conveyor. The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant has received the highest awards of the USSR government several times, as well as well-deserved recognition throughout the world. In 1971, production of the GAZ-69 was stopped, and this model was replaced by a newer one, called the UAZ-469.

In 1993 it was put into production, and the release was UAZ-3151. This time, designers and engineers focused on increased interior comfort and the appearance of the car.

The UAZ model range is quite wide and is popular.

3163 Patriot - has strong differences compared to the model on the platform on which it was developed. Since production of the UAZ 3162 model was stopped in 2005, engineers decided to create a car based on it, as a result of which the world saw the 3163 Patriot. Externally, the car is completely different from its predecessor; it is distinguished by increased comfort, elegance and, of course, like all cars, dynamism.

The cabin, 3163 Patriot, seats five with four additional seats, and you can always fit up to nine seats in it.

3151 Hunter - outwardly very similar to its predecessor, but its production was based on a completely unique platform, new for the UAZ plant. The SUV has a trendy design, ease of operation, and innovation in the development of components. The car model is very economical, safe, and reliable for long trips. You can always enjoy the comfort and coziness of the interior of this car. In appearance I have a military style, the car has acquired style and some classic features. It is easy to operate and economical to maintain. And a large carrying capacity will always help in transporting things or goods.

House on wheels

Today, many people dream of a motor home with which it is convenient to travel and do not have to worry about spending the night. A metropolitan resident decided to convert a UAZ Cargo into a small camper. Behind the driver’s back there is a shower, a gas stove, a wardrobe with clothes, etc. It’s nice that such a motor home can drive on almost any off-road terrain, and therefore it’s not scary to travel anywhere on it.

Hang in there, Pajero!

In 1980, the first prototype of a car of the UAZ-3170 family appeared. And again the car turned out to be revolutionary for the plant. The sample had a new angular (in the fashion of that time) three-door body. Both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions were planned. After all, most imported analogues had such modifications at that time.

Experienced short-wheelbase UAZ-3171, 1981

The main one, of course, had to be a four-door car, since that was what the army, the main customer of the plant, needed. Moreover, in the extended version the new UAZ had nine seats. For the army they planned a version of the UAZ-3172 with an awning, and as a civilian modification - an all-metal station wagon. Short cars were supposed to be equipped with an awning or a removable hard roof.

Powerful car

Modernization does not always involve changing the appearance of the vehicle. For example, in UAZ-452 they decided to carry out internal changes. The standard engine was replaced with a powerful 3.2-liter engine that runs on diesel fuel and is capable of delivering 150 horsepower. An automatic transmission, lug tires and locking axles were also installed. By the way, the roof was raised by 12 centimeters. If you look into the salon, you will also notice certain changes.

The first diesel engine in the village

In 1944, the Ulyanovsk plant, which arose as a branch of the ZIS evacuated from Moscow, made simplified three-ton ZIS-5. Then they decided to entrust him with the production of a progressive truck for the USSR.

The UlZIS-253 with a cabin unified with the ZIS-150 was developed at NAMI. The vehicle with a carrying capacity of 3.5–4 tons received the first diesel engine in this class in the USSR.

UlZIS-253 with American diesel engine.

The three-cylinder American GMC-3-71 engine was planned to be assembled in Yaroslavl, on the same line with 4- and 6-cylinder diesel engines of this family. And the trucks themselves “wooed” Ulyanovsk, which is why the name UlZIS-253 appeared. However, they soon decided to launch the production of simpler Gorky one-and-a-half GAZ-MM trucks there, and organize the production of UlZIS-253 at a new plant in Novosibirsk. But production there was not established either. As well as the release of three-cylinder diesel engines.

Floating car

This transport was given the name “Superhead”. It was based on the UAZ-39095, which was seriously redesigned. Specialists replaced the carburetor, installed a centralized tire inflation system and power steering, and strengthened the suspension. The spacious body of the craft is used for transporting ATVs.

Fresh "loaf"

In parallel with the new family of SUVs, a new “loaf” UAZ-3972 was also being prepared. It was unified with the UAZ-3172, had the same suspension and Ulyanovsk engines. However, for layout reasons, the successor of the ancient “loaf” was already equipped with a different frame.

UAZ-3972.

The angular body was in keeping with the fashion of the 1980s. In 1990, only four prototypes were produced - three in the ambulance version and one minibus. That was the end of it.

Crawler UAZ

Based on the UAZ-452, an all-terrain vehicle was built, called “Vetluga”. Experts decided to put the car on tracks so that it could move on any surface. She can even swim at a speed of 5 km/h. The car can be used to transport goods and people in wetlands and off-road. But you can’t drive such a car on the road anymore.

Why not Niva?

In the late 1950s, having launched the Gorky GAZ-69 and the “loaf” into production, Ulyanovsk designers began to fantasize about the next generation of SUVs.

The two- and four-door models of the UAZ-460/470 family looked utilitarian and were a bit reminiscent of the British Range Rover. But under the bodies there was hidden a “filling” that was unusual for those years.

UAZ-460 with independent suspension.

Two-door version of the UAZ-460.

To begin with, we created a project for a rear-engine UAZ! But it didn’t come down to metal. The main customers - the military - would not accept such a revolution under any circumstances.

"Loaf" version 3.0

Another new “loaf” was introduced in the late 1990s. The cute UAZ-3165 Simba van was unified in terms of chassis and power unit with the UAZ-31622 with a 1600 mm track, which then bore the name Simbir. The prototypes were equipped with a 2.7 liter Zavolzhsky engine with a power of 150 hp. VM and GAZ-560 (aka Steyr) diesel engines were also planned.

UAZ-2365 based on the new unborn generation of the “loaf”.

Minivan UAZ-3165.

In addition to the passenger version, they made an experienced nurse and flatbed trucks with single and even double cabs. Testing and fine-tuning have already begun, but gradually the work was curtailed. As is the case with other models - forever...

Find out how foreigners remade our UAZs here.
"Behind the Wheel" can now be read on Facebook.

Photo: from the “Behind the Wheel” archive

9 progressive UAZs that could change history

GAZelle in a new way!

The one and a half ton van, although it was later called KiAZ-3727, was created by NAMI together with UAZ and initially for production in Ulyanovsk. Work began in 1985, when there was still no talk about the GAZelle. The car had a new body and cabin, since one of the 1986 prototypes was made as a flatbed truck.

KiAZ-3727.