Volga (automobile)

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Volga of 1956
Volga of 1956

Volga is a brand name of various passenger cars from the Gorky Automobile Plant, known as GAZ.

Throughout the Soviet world, Volga cars were seen as a high status symbols, used by party officials, the nomenklatura, and security services. Also all Volga cars traditionally were used as taxi cabs, road police interceptors and ambulances (based on the estate versions). Today, Volga cars are seen as large and inexpensive family saloons and less common estates. Cars under this name have been in production since 1956. There are 3 major generations: -21 (1956–70), -24 (1970–92, over two minor generations) and -31 (since 1982, in various versions).

Contents

[edit] Models

[edit] GAZ-21

The Soviet intermediate classic car of the late 1950s and 1960s. Was produced from 1957 to 1970. Very often could be seen as a taxicab.

Main article: GAZ-21

1956/7-58 version

late 1958-1962, also 1955-56 prototypes

1962-70

1958–62 Volga

Interior

1962–70 Volga

Station wagon version was designated GAZ-22.

V8 powered version was designated GAZ-23.

[edit] GAZ-24

Late 1960s development that was produced in the 1970s and 80s (1968-1985). Stylistically is right in line with the American car makers of 1960s and 70s.

Main article: GAZ-24

1974 GAZ-24

1974 GAZ-24
GAZ-24 interior early 1974.jpg.

1974 Volga interior

1974 dashboard (till 1977)

1979 dashboard

Door panels before 1976

Door panels after 1976

GAZ-24 turn signal and parking light

High/low beam selector, windshield washer pump, radiator louver control, hood release

1974 Volga taillight

V8 powered version was designated GAZ-24-24.

[edit] GAZ-24-10

An improved version of GAZ-24 with many changes in appearance, engine, suspension, brakes, etc.) was produced from 1985–92.

V8 powered version was designated GAZ-24-34.

[edit] GAZ-31xx

The model numbers of 31xx series conform to a new model numbering system adopted in the USSR at the time.

[edit] GAZ-3102

A restyled (all-new front and rear ends, new door handles), improved and more luxurious version of the GAZ-24 with 105 hp (78 kW) engine, the Volga GAZ-3102, arrived in 1982 and continues in production to the present (with new engines: ZMZ-406, 4 cyl., DOHC, 2,3l, 130 h.p.; or Steir 4 cyl. diesel; or Chrysler, 4 cyl., DOHC, 150 hp (112 kW), totally new interior and improved suspension.) Front disk brakes became standard, as well as 3.9:1 rear axle and many other improvements.

Again, V8-powered limited production version existed (produced up to 1996), called GAZ-31013, engine and transmission remained the same with only minor modifications.

Also, in mid-1990s there was a limited production version with Rover V8 3,9L engine. Before 1991, the Volga 3102 was not sold to private owners because it was built exclusively for government organizations. Since the early 1990s, 3102 is positioned by GAZ as a luxury saloon and costs slightly more than a standard Volga, and it is often mentioned that production quality of 3102 Volgas is slightly better than for other GAZ cars.

[edit] GAZ-31029

The Volga 31029, featuring more aerodynamic front bodywork, was produced from 1991–97. Its reputation is rather poor because of rust problems and poor quality. A 31029 was featured as a getaway car in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye.

1980s GAZ-3102 interior installed in GAZ-31029

GAZ-31029 front part

[edit] GAZ-31022

The Volga GAZ-31022 was a station wagon derivative of GAZ-31029.

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[edit] GAZ-3110

A more modern derivative of the GAZ-31029, the Volga GAZ-3110, arrived in 1997 and remained on sale until 2003. The estate version of the 3110, the Volga 310221 Universal, remains in production as of 2007. The saloon received a minor front restyle for the final year of production, while the estate continued with the 1997 front styling, with everything from the A-pillar back dating to 1972.

The 3110's replacement, the Volga 31105, entered production in early 2004 and represents the most heavily restyled and modernized version of the GAZ-24 yet. In addition, even more heavily restyled GAZ-24 versions in both saloon and estate form are planned for the near future.

[edit] GAZ-3105

Besides the GAZ-24 derivatives, GAZ has also produced two truly modern Volga models in recent years. The all-wheel drive Volga 3105 luxury saloon powered by the all-new OHC V8 engine was produced in limited quantities (primarily for experimental use) from 1994–97, when production ceased after only a few hundred had been built.

[edit] GAZ-3111

The 3105 was succeeded by the rear-wheel drive Volga 3111 produced from 1998–2003. The 3111 was a modern luxury saloon targeted against used western cars on the ex-Soviet market. It featured GAZ M21-influenced retro styling cues and was developed in collaboration with US-based Venture Industries. Though very modern in appearance and packaging, the 3111 still used some parts from 1967-presented M24. 3111 production ceased after a short run caused by high production costs, and lacklustre sales due in part to the car's uncompetetive $8,800 base price.

[edit] GAZ-31105

The GAZ 31105 Volga entered production in 2004 as a replacement for the one year-only Mark II version of the 3110. The car features a more heavily revised front, with a grille and headlights inspired by the modern, but discontinued, 3111. New, more conventional looking, body-coloured door handles were also instituted. The 31105 is available only as a saloon, with the estate continuing with the old 3110 styling.

[edit] Recent developments

The current four-model Volga range, based on the 1967 GAZ M24, consists of the top-range 3102 (since 1982), the 310221 Universal estate (since 1997), the most modern, yet lowest-priced 31105 (since 2004), and the long wheelbase 311055 (since 2005). Volga 31105 pricing starts at around US$9,000.

The convertible model has also been seen again in very limited production, mostly aimed at official procession cars; the roof is replaced with a soft top and the rear doors deleted; front doors are the same size as on the four-door model.

Although GAZ was developing a "spiritual successor" to the 3111, the front-wheel drive Volga 3115, in December 2005 RusPromAvto, the parent company of GAZ, announced that production of Volga passenger cars would be phased out over a 2-year period, with production to end in 2007. GAZ stated that they would instead concentrate on their more profitable truck, bus, and commercial vehicle businesses. At the same time the announcement was made, GAZ also introduced the Volga 311055, a long wheelbase derivative of the 31105. However, in the summer of 2006, GAZ reversed its earlier decision, announcing that further investments would be made in upgrading the styling and technology of the Volga saloons, keeping them in production as "retro" or "historical" vehicles. In early 2006, GAZ signed a deal with DaimlerChrysler to acquire the tooling and intellectual property rights for the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring mid-size cars, which will enter production in Russia, but under GAZ Siber brand, not Volga. GAZ owns the car's platform outright, allowing all-new future vehicles to be developed on the same underpinnings.

[edit] Production

Volga production peaked at well over 100,000 units per year during the early-to-mid 1990s, then fell sharply due to Russia's worsening economic crises, reaching just 56,000 cars in 2000. With a gradually reviving export network, the Volga has made progress on the road to recovery, with nearly 70,000 cars produced in 2004.

[edit] See also

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[edit] External links