| Moskvitch 400-420 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Moskvitch |
| Production | 1947–1956 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Opel Kadett K38 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.1 L MZMA-400 I4 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Moskvitch 402 |
The Moskvitch 400-420 is a car that was introduced in 1947 by the Soviet manufacturer Moskvitch.
In 1940 and 1941 500 units of the KIM-10-50, the first Soviet compact car, were produced. It was inspired by the similar-sized four-door Ford Prefect and, despite its low price, equipped with such features as a mechanical clock and indicators of the level of oil and the temperature of water in the radiator. [1] However, national priorities changed with the German invasion in summer 1941, and production of the car was halted and not resumed after the war.
At war's end, the Soviet Union deemed the plans and tooling for the 1939 Opel Kadett K38 [2] to be part of the war reparations package, [3] since the tooling in the Rüsselsheim factory was largely intact; [2] residents dismantled the Kadett production tooling and loaded fifty-six freight cars [4] bound for Moscow and the newly built "Stalin Factory" (ZIS). [5] However, according to recent Russian sources, the Kadett plans and tooling were in fact not captured from the factory, because they did not survive there (and what survived was appropriate for producing a two-door model). [6]
Development began in 1944, following a prewar plan to produce a domestically built car able to be used and maintained by citizens living outside major cities. [2] The KIM factory was selected to build the car, with the prewar KIM-10-52 (not built due to the Second World War) as a basis, with production approved in May 1945 and prototypes intended to be ready in December. By the end of May, however, these plans had faltered. [2]
It was Joseph Stalin who personally chose in June 1945 a four-door Opel Kadett to become the first mass-produced popular Soviet car, so plans and tooling of a four-door version had to be reconstructed with help of German engineers, who worked upon them in a Soviet occupation zone. [1] The Soviet Union was not the only country to adopt the design at that time: the Kadett had impressed Louis Renault and heavily inspired his Renault Juvaquatre produced in 1937–1960. [7] [8]
After KIM was renamed MZMA (Moscovskiy Zavod Malolitrazhnyh Avtomobiley, Moscow Factory for Making Small Cars) in August 1945, [4] the new car was ready for production before the end of 1946 (somewhat behind the planned June deadline): the first 400-420 was built 9 December, [4] "400" meant a type of engine,[ citation needed ] and "420" the (saloon) body style. With unitized construction, independent front suspension, three-speed manual transmission. and hydraulic brakes, it was powered by a 23 hp (17 kW ; 23 PS )1,074 cc (65.5 cu in) inline four (with a compression ratio of 5.6:1). [4] Acceleration 0–50 mph (0–80 km/h) took 55 seconds, and achieved 9 L/100 km (31 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US) (the best of any Soviet car at that time). [4] With a wheelbase of 2,340 mm (92 in)) and ground clearance of 200 mm (7.9 in)), it measured 3,855 mm (151.8 in) long overall 1,400 mm (55 in) wide, 1,550 mm (61 in) tall. [4] Approved for mass production by the Soviet government on 28 April 1947, 1,501 were built the first year, with 4,808 for 1948 and 19,906 in 1949, the same year a mesh oil filter was introduced. [4] In 1951, synchromesh was introduced on the top two gears, and the gear lever relocated to the steering column. [4]
In 1948, a woodie van, the 400-422, with an 800 kg (1,800 lb) payload, went into production [4] but the similar prototype 400-421 estate and a pick-up [4] never did. The 400-420A cabriolet debuted in 1949. [4]
The 400 went on sale in Belgium in October 1950, making it a very early Soviet automotive export product, priced at £349: below the Ford Prefect and Anglia, and well below the Morris Minor. [9] Motor praised its engine's quietness, the calibre of its finish, and the quality of the ride. [9]
The 100,000th Moskvich was built in October 1952. [4]
Several prototypes were also built. In 1949, proposal for an improved 26 hp (19 kW ; 26 PS ) 401E-424E and a 33 hp (25 kW ; 33 PS ) 403E-424E saw only six examples built. [10] Following this, in 1951, the factory produced the 403-424A coupé with a 35 hp (26 kW ; 35 PS ) four. The "stunning" 404 Sport of 1954 used a new 58 hp (43 kW ; 59 PS ) overhead valve hemi engine. [9]
| Moskvitch 401 | |
|---|---|
 1949 Moskvich 401-424E | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1954-1956 |
| Assembly | Moscow |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.1 L MZMA-400 I4 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Moskvitch 400-420 |
| Successor | Moskvitch 402 |
The Moskvitch 401 (full designation: Moskvitch 401-420) was introduced in 1954, an improved variant of the 400-420. [11] It weighs 885 kg (1,951 lb). [11] and was powered by an 1,074 cc (65.5 cu in) sidevalve inline four engine, uprated from 23 hp (17 kW ; 23 PS ) to 26 hp (19 kW ; 26 PS ), [6] thanks to a higher compression ratio, of 6.2:1, and improved intake and exhaust manifolds. [12] Other changes included a new starter motor, dynamo, wheel bearings, and handbrake. [12]
Both models were externally identical. [11] [12] It had a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph).
The 400-422 sedan delivery variant was renumbered 401-422. [6] (Its production continued until December 1956.) [12] There was also a pickup version, the 401-420B. [12]
Some of the production was exported, among other countries to East Germany and Norway. Production ended in 1956, when the design was heavily outdated. Private users in Norway at the time needed a foreign exchange permit to buy a new imported car. This did not apply to Russian cars that as a "friendly gesture" were supplied in exchange for fish.
Production of the saloon ended 20 April 1956, when it was replaced by Moskvitch 402. [12] 247,439 had been built, counting both the 400 and 401. [12] [6]
Moskvitch or Moskvich is a Soviet/Russian automobile brand produced by AZLK from 1946 to 1991 and by OAO Moskvitch from 1991 to 2001 and later returned to production in 2022. The current article incorporates information about both the brand and the joint-stock successor of AZLK.
The Opel Kadett is a small family car produced by the German automobile manufacturer Opel from 1936 until 1940 and then from 1962 until 1991, when it was succeeded by the Opel Astra.
ZAZ Zaporozhets was a series of rear-wheel-drive superminis designed and built from 1958 at the ZAZ factory in Soviet Ukraine. Different models of the Zaporozhets, all of which had an air-cooled engine in the rear, were produced until 1994. Since the late 1980s, the final series, ZAZ-968M, was replaced by the cardinally different ZAZ-1102 Tavria hatchback, which featured a front-wheel drive and a more powerful water-cooled engine.
AZLK is a Soviet and Russian automobile manufacturer (Moscow), the maker of the Moskvitch brand.
The Toyota UZ engine family is a gasoline fueled 32-valve quad-camshaft V8 piston engine series used in Toyota's luxury offerings and sport utility vehicles. Three variants have been produced: the 1UZ-FE, 2UZ-FE, and 3UZ-FE. Production spanned 24 years, from 1989 to mid 2013, ending with the final production of the 3UZ-FE-powered Toyota Crown Majesta I-FOUR. Toyota's UZ engine family was replaced by the UR engine family.
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The Moskvitch 410 was an experimentally designed limited production car made by Soviet manufacturer MZMA from 1957 to 1961. Initially conceived as an economical and comfortable means of transport for agricultural machines' repairing teams, the 410 presented itself as a four wheel drive version of the Moskvitch 402 with a more powerful engine and higher ground clearance. In 1958, however, MZMA produced an upgraded station wagon variant on the same wheelbase, called Moskvitch 411. In total, only 7580 of model 410 and 1515 of model 411 were made.
The Moskvitch-408 series is a small family car produced by the Soviet car manufacturer MZMA/AZLK between 1964 and 1975. The first prototype was made in 1960.
The Moskvitch 412 is a small family car produced by Soviet/Russian manufacturer MZMA/AZLK in Moscow from 1967 to 1975, and by IZh in Izhevsk from 1967 to 1982. It was a more powerful and prestigious version of the M-408 model, offering more features for a higher price.
The Moskvitch 402 is a compact car manufactured by the former Soviet automobile maker MZMA, first time introduced in 1956 as a second generation of the Moskvitch series. In comparison with its predecessor, the Moskvitch-401, the M-402 model featured many improvements which included independent suspension with double wishbones, telescopic shock absorbers, 12-volt electrics, more solid and comfortable car body, more modern trunk, heater, standard car radio, wider viewing range for the driver, etc.
The Moskvitch 404 Sport was a prototype sports car from Soviet manufacturer Moskvitch introduced in 1954.
Moskvitch G1 was a sports car from Moskvitch produced in 1955 by the engineer I. Gladilin. It was the first Moskvitch specially developed for racing. It had aluminium coachwork and was powered by an 1,074 cc (65.5 cu in) inline 4-cylinder flathead engine giving 70 hp (52 kW) and a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph). The engine was derived from the 407-series engine used in the 407. To increase the power it was fitted with four carburettors from the motorcycle Izh-49. Due to a lack of funds, the brakes, suspension, and wheels were borrowed from the Moskvitch 401.
The Moskvitch G2 was a sports car from Moskvitch based on the earlier Moskvitch G1. Instead of an open wheel car it was now fitted with an aerodynamic body and was capable of a top speed of 223 km/h (139 mph). It was powered by a mid-mounted 70 hp (52 kW) 1,074 cc (65.5 cu in) inline 4-cylinder flathead engine derived from the 407-series engine used in the 407. To The total weight was 660 kg (1,455 lb). A 120 L fuel tank was mounted next to the driver, toward the front of the car. The brakes, suspension, and wheels were borrowed from the Moskvitch 401. Top speed was 139 mph (224 km/h).
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