Zaz, Zaporizhzhia Automobile Building Plant Zaz 968 (diecast 1:43, Agat)

This is Zaz 968. The model is made by Agat in scale 1:43. Only the hood opens.

ZAZ-968 is the legendary "small car" of the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant, which was produced from 1971 to 1994. It has three main modifications (968, 968A, 968M), the traditional rear engine layout and went down in the history of the Soviet automobile industry as a people's car of "especially low class".

Brief history of the car ZAZ-968
This car gathered around itself a lot of contradictory statements, irony and even ridicule, but all the same, during the existence of the USSR, it was very popular. And although this popularity is due to a record low price, thousands of families were finally able to acquire a vehicle, and were, moreover, very happy.

Probably everyone remembers that the first "Zaporozhian" 965 models were openly created on the basis of the Fiat-600 car, the resemblance to which, as a result, was simply striking. There is an opinion (moreover, very reasonable) that the ZAZ-968 also had its own prototype, namely the NSU Prinz. But in the Soviet Union they literally shrugged it off with their hands, claiming that they had "their own pride."
This car is also interesting in that it became the last of the Zaporozhian family, and its last modification, the 968M, was produced from 1980 to 1994, practically without any changes or improvements. And even now ZAZ-968 still brings a smile and cheers up, and its price can be quite equal to two pairs of branded sneakers, but its history is very interesting and definitely deserves attention.

And so, back to the 70s of the twentieth century ... Seeing how intensively the automotive industry is developing, there was an urgent need for a complete modernization of the well-known "hunchback". Having removed the ZAZ-965 from production, the engineers began to actively develop a more modern "people's car" and already in 1971 the first ZAZ-968 rolled off the assembly line, which not only completely changed its appearance and changed the nickname "humpbacked" to "eared", but and became noticeably more productive.

Adhering to the policy of general availability, the engineers still decided not to pay special attention to comfort, and therefore the new ZAZik had only a basic set of electrical appliances, a traditional rear engine layout and a very primitive interior. After 4 years, the car underwent a small upgrade, due to which it changed its name to 968A. A more radical and, incidentally, the latest modernization, the Zaporozhets was subjected to in 1979 and renamed to ZAZ-968M. It received a new "front", new rear dimensions and a different dashboard. At that time, the cost of a car was only 3,500 rubles, so all families who had dreamed of having their own transport for many years and carefully saved up funds, got it, because, for example, only a few could buy the Volga or Zhiguli.
Appearance and interior of ZAZ-968
Compared to its predecessor, ZAZ-968 has become more modern and proportional in size. The monocoque all-metal body had an acceptable finish, and the rear fenders had elaborate air intakes. This two-door sedan was designed for 4 passengers, but given the "especially small class", comfort was not even worth counting on. It is also interesting that the door locks simply amaze with their "versatility", because sometimes it was possible to open them even with thin scissors, twisted wire or any keys to the apartment. The car was painted in a very high quality and in one color, therefore, ironically, many consider this very fact to be the main advantage of Zaporozhets, since the paint “did not slide off” even after decades. The stamped doors consisted of two panels, equipped with a manual window lifter and a corner pivot glass with an internal latch. Salon ZAZika simply surprises with its asceticism - a minimum number of control devices, a rear-view mirror, an independent "stove", a very tight space and a simple one-color upholstery, without a hint of comfort. But was this the main thing if the car skillfully overcomes any roads, does not require special care and "does not harm" the quality of the fuel?

The next generation of "eared" ZAZ-968A already had new seats, a brake system with a separate drive and even a protective anti-theft installation. 6 years later, the car underwent the last modernization, as a result of which it boasted rectangular rear lights, a minimum amount of chrome and a more perfect rounded front panel with a metal strip, thanks to which the trunk volume was slightly increased (although it still remained so small that even a travel bag could fit in). The front lights were slightly changed, turn signals appeared, the "spare wheel" from the trunk was moved under the hood, the front seats became adjustable, and the rear seat was fully folded out, which made the car suitable even for an overnight stay. Also, this modification has ceased to be "eared", because instead of air intakes, engineers have installed neat grilles. I received a ZAZ-968M and new bumpers, but it's not clear whether this played a positive role. The removable plastic sidewalls were deformed at the slightest impact, and the moldings were highly susceptible to corrosion.
According to the "good old" tradition, the power unit of the Zaporozhets is located at the back and gives full accessibility during its inspection or repair. The four-stroke carburetor engine has a working volume of 1197 ml and a power of 40 horsepower (although there were small-scale modifications among the ZAZ-968M, in which the engine power was also 45 and 50 hp). Making a brief overview of MeZM 968, we can also mention the overhead valve arrangement and air cooling. V-cylinders are made of cast iron, they are easy to remove and feature a ribbed surface. While the cylinder heads are aluminum and there are only two of them. The crankshaft is cast iron and has a good balance with a centrifuge and a flywheel. The overhead valve timing gear has a rocker arm, rods, a camshaft and rocker arms. As for acceleration, ZAZik could reach 100 km / h in just 38 seconds, and its average fuel consumption did not exceed 7.8 l / 100 km (taking into account rural, dirt roads).

Returning to the engine cooling system, I would like to consider an axial fan, which forced air through a special grill. The one-piece guide vanes had blades and also provided for a generator device. By the way, small cracks on the side parts of the body also additionally cooled the engine. It is also surprising that the owners of ZAZ completely neglected the quality of the fuel. The car was filled with the 76th (which could contain naphthalene, water, etc.), and even the already processed fuel, but this practically did not affect its driving characteristics (with the exception of the "rumble" during operation).

The gas tank is located behind the rear seats and a hydraulically operated 1-disc clutch has been mated to a driven disc. The mechanical 4-speed gearbox had three strokes and was located along with the differential. Due to the lack of timely maintenance, the gearbox, after a short time, became more rigid, difficult to switch, and while driving, the gears could even “fly off”.

The lever-torsion bar front suspension consisted of two steel pipes, which were held together by brackets, and hydraulic shock absorbers were supplemented with springs. The rear spring suspension had a double lever made of steel, to which the ZAZ floor itself is attached with the help of 2 brackets.

The drum brake system had floating pads, a gap adjuster between them and the drum itself. The mechanical "handbrake" extended only to the rear wheels, and the latest modification of the ZAZ-968M already had a separate hydraulic drive. The steering gear included rods, a gearbox, swing arms and an energy absorbing element.

By the way, inside the plant, ZAZ-968M was produced with a gas installation, but they were not intended for sale, but only served as freight carriers within the enterprise.
In general the car was rather sturdy and known for its excellent crossing performance on poor roads. Another important advantage of the Zaporozhets was its ease of repairs
Basic modifications of ZAZ-968
ZAZ-968MR is a sedan for disabled people who do not have one arm or one leg.

ZAZ-968MB - sedan for disabled people with amputated legs.

ZAZ-968B2 (AB2) - sedan with a capacity of 27 hp, designed for disabled people with a damaged or amputated right leg.

ZAZ-968AB4 is a sedan for disabled people with a damaged or amputated left leg.

ZAZ-968MG is a sedan with a MeMZ-966G engine and a power of 27 hp. Designed for disabled people with one damaged leg.

ZAZ-968AP (MR) is an in-plant pickup with a gas installation.

ZAZ-968B and ZAZ-968R - sedan with a capacity of 27 hp. with automatic electromagnetic clutch system.
ZAZ - 968E export version (destined mostly for the Eastern Bloc) had headlights able to meet international standards, a safety glass windscreen, and anti-theft steering lock.