The very first "Loaf" - the history of the UAZ-450 and its modifications

Few now remember the very first modifications of UAZ vans. It is generally accepted that the Loaf has been produced since 1965 and continues to be assembled to this day, with minimal modernization.


But in fact, the history of the Ulyanovsk van began much earlier and these cars have been mass-produced since 1958 under the name UAZ-450. Before the release of the well-known 452nd "Loaf", more than 55 minibuses of the previous generation of various modifications were assembled.

military mission

The whole history of Ulyanovsk cars is inextricably linked with the army. There is nothing strange about this - the plant was engaged in the production of SUVs that the military needed.



First, the production of GAZ-69 was launched in Ulyanovsk. The Gorky plant needed free space for trucks - they were needed by the country for construction. They did not have time to establish the production of GAZ-69, when in 1954 a decree came, obliging them to master all-metal off-road vans.

Of course, the customer was the army, which needed ambulances and staff vehicles.

Design Features

Initially, the designers of the Ulyanovsk plant and NAMI considered two options for manufacturing a new model. The easiest way was to make a bonnet car based on the GAZ-69. The second option involved the development of a new cabover version of the car, but using standard components and assemblies from Kozlik.



The first UAZ-450 was designed by Aryamov, who worked at NAMI. The car turned out to be modern, with a noticeable narrowing at the rear and a stylish front cladding.

Compared to European models of all-metal vans, the experienced UAZ looked the most elegant.



The military rejected the prototype - it turned out to be too expensive and civilian. Army equipment was supposed to be as budget-friendly as possible, but at the same time strong and maintainable.



The military liked the prototype of the second type and approved it for launch in a series. Its carrying capacity was up to 750-800 kg, which was more than enough for an ambulance or staff car.

The Ulyanovsk plant was issued a technical assignment, according to which the UAZ should be produced in several modifications:

• ? Sanitary
  
• ? airborne
  
• ? Van
  
• ? Minibus
  

In the fall of 1957, a batch of pre-production vehicles passed internal factory tests and was sent to conquer the most inaccessible corners of the Soviet Union - the Karakum, Pamir, Oymyakon and the expanses of Kazakhstan.

Production features

First of all, they mastered the UAZ-450D flatbed trucks. The fact is that there were problems with the production of body panels at the plant - there was no necessary equipment, so the parts had to be tapped out of sheet metal literally with hammers on models.



The vans were produced in small batches, they were mass-produced only after on-board modifications.



Full-scale production at the Ulyanovsk plant began only towards the end of 1958. Simple and unpretentious cars very quickly gained popularity throughout the Soviet Union. They worked where only military trucks and tractors had previously been operated.

For its time, the UAZ-450 was considered no worse than other well-known world analogues like the Unimog and Steer-Pooh.

Technical features

UAZ-450 is an all-metal van, which was mass-produced from 1958 to 1966. This car was created on the chassis of a 450D truck. The model received an all-metal body. On the side, the doors were only for the driver and front passenger, plus a double-leaf rear door. Inside there was a partition, which also played the role of a stiffening element.



The side door appeared on later versions - UAZ-451M and 452.

Only one engine was installed - a carburetor in-line, with a lower valve arrangement. The working volume is 2 cm432, the power is 3 liters. With.

UAZ-450A

The development of the UAZ-450 was carried out at the request of the Soviet military. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that since 1958 the plant began to mass-produce sanitary UAZ-450A. This transport had a unique cross-country ability, allowing the evacuation of the wounded in almost any conditions.



When the military received the required number of vehicles, they continued to be produced for the civilian market. It turned out that this is the best car for the countryside.

Thanks to the 4x4 wheel formula, the car easily moved on bad roads and off them at any time of the year. For a long time, the UAZ "Bukhanka" was the only vehicle capable of reaching its destination in any weather, and even with a trailer up to 850 kg.



UAZ-450A has an all-metal body, which is attached to the frame at ten points. The interior space is divided into two rooms - for the driver and passenger, and patients with a paramedic / doctor.

In the sanitary compartment there are four stretchers, two triple folding seats and one additional one near the partition.

The interior trim of the body is made of a material that allows wet cleaning.

The sanitary department has two side windows on each side, the front ones are sliding.



UAZ-450A became the main competitor to the PAZ-653 used at that time - an ambulance based on the GAZ-51 truck. Unlike him, "Loaf" was more comfortable and had better cross-country ability due to the presence of all-wheel drive.

UAZ-450B

Simultaneously with the medical van, the production of a staff minibus was launched for the army. It was named UAZ-450B. The car was equipped with military equipment at the request of the customer - the features were classified.

UAZ-450V

Passenger version of "Loaf" for 11 seats. It never made it to the full series. First, the conveyor was busy producing the sanitary modifications needed by the country, then the next generation model, the UAZ-452, was developed at the plant.

UAZ-450D

The prototype of the legendary "Tadpole", onboard cargo version. Produced from 1958 to 1966. Enjoyed high popularity in the most inaccessible corners of the USSR.



It should also be noted the rear-wheel drive versions of the UAZ, which received the index 451 and were produced since 1960.
There were also experimental cars on the chassis of the early "Loaf", but they did not go into the series.

In 1966, the car was subjected to a large-scale modernization. In addition to a modified appearance, the car received a modern overhead valve engine and a new four-speed gearbox instead of a Z-manual transmission. After that, the model was renamed UAZ-452.

"Loaf" is still produced, slightly modified and received a number of other indexes in the title. But it is difficult to find a UAZ-450 for sale - this car is already considered a collector's car and costs accordingly.