| Manufacturer | GAZ (1953-1955) UAZ (1954-1972) ARO (1957–1975) |
|---|---|
| Also called | UAZ-69 (1954-1972) IMS-57, M59, M461 (Romania) |
| Production | 1953-1972 |
| Predecessor | GAZ-67 Willys MB |
| Successor | UAZ-469 |
| Class | Light truck |
| Layout | F4 layout |
| Engine | 2.1L GAZ-69 I4, 55 hp |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Related | UAZ-469 UAZ-450 2P26 GAZ 46 |
GAZ-69 is a four wheel drive light truck, produced by GAZ (ГАЗ, or Gorkovskij Awtomobilnyj Zavod) between 1953 and 1955. From 1954 until 1972 it was produced by UAZ, as UAZ-69, though they were commonly known as GAZ-69s as well. It was also produced under licence by ARO in Romania, first as IMS-57, then as Muscel M59, later modernized as the Muscel M461.
Basic variant GAZ-69 has a pair of doors only and most often appears with standard canvas top and upper sides. Further variant GAZ-69A (UAZ-69A) has two pair of doors. From the UAZ-69 there were developed off-road van and light truck UAZ-450 and newer jeep UAZ-469.
The GAZ-69 was the basic light off-road vehicle of the Soviet Army, replacing GAZ-67s and Willys Jeeps. The GAZ-69 was itself replaced with the UAZ-469.
It was also used as the basis for the 2P26 tank destroyer - see AT-1 Snapper - as well as for the GAZ 46 MAV, a light 4x4 amphibious vehicle, whose design was largely copied from the World War II Ford GPA 'Seep'.