ZAZ-970 - "Zaporozhets", which became a minibus

Cars of the ZAZ brand, better known as "Zaporozhets", were the most affordable in the USSR. These models, despite a number of design flaws and the constant appearance in jokes, were highly valued by drivers.


The car was relatively inexpensive, and the queue for it was the least of all. The Zaporozhians also had their own advantages.

For example, the rear-engine layout made it possible to leave the bottom flat. This made the car, perhaps, the most passable among Soviet models, except, perhaps, the VAZ-2121 Niva.



Only ZAZ had much more shortcomings than advantages. This is especially true of the modification with the index 965, also known as the legendary "Hunchback".

First steps of modernization

A year after the start of serial production of the ZAZ-965, it became clear that such a small, albeit stylish, machine was not suitable for the Soviet Union. This is rather a female version or a purely urban model, and the domestic driver went mainly to summer cottages or villages, loading the car to the maximum.

Main cons:

✅ Small luggage space
✅ Cramped cabin for 4 adults
✅ Minimum comfort
✅ Insufficient engine cooling in summer

Modernizing an already existing body would not solve the problems, so a new car had to be made. They became the ZAZ-966, work on which began in 1961, although it went into production only five years later.



Compared to its predecessor, the new car has become larger, more comfortable, while maintaining a simple design and low cost. The ZAZ-966 prototype was introduced at the end of 1961.

Light truck and full-size minibus models

Inspired by the success of the pilot version, which was immediately approved by the USSR Ministry of Automobile Industry, the designers of the Zaporozhye plant began to create. On the chassis of the prototype ZAZ-966, a light truck was created, which received the index 970.



I had to work almost on naked enthusiasm. For example, to create a number of experimental microvans, both passenger and cargo, it was necessary to knock out body parts on wooden blanks on their own.



So several full-size minibuses were created, which were then called vans at the factory. Now such models are known as microvans - they are most popular in Japan, China and other Asian countries.

Experienced versions in 1961 did not become running. They tested the rigidity of the body, selecting the thickness of the metal for the panels and reinforcing it where necessary. A prototype of the ZAZ-970 truck was used to work out technical issues.

Cargo minibuses for the needs of Soviet enterprises

In 1962, the specialists of the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant finally "ripe" for the production of running prototypes of the ZAZ-970 vans. It was necessary to build on the chassis of the new, promising ZAZ-966, which had already been approved for full-fledged serial production. Looking ahead a little, it is worth noting that the new model began to be assembled on the assembly line since 1966.

ZAZ-970 vans received carrier-type bodies. The design was developed by L.P. Murashov, who had a hand in creating the Moskvich-444 prototype. Then all the documentation for this experimental car was transferred to ZAZ, where the serial production of the "Humpbacked" with the index 965 began.



Vans from the Zaporozhye plant received a traditional rear-engine layout. It is possible that the designers would like to make more familiar models, with a front-mounted power unit, but the ZAZ-966 chassis obliged.



It must be understood that the use of such power units was a forced matter. Other engines, with more modern liquid cooling, were not offered by anyone to the Zaporozhye plant.

The basic modification of the van was the ZAZ-970B. The car received independent suspension of all wheels - front torsion bar, rear spring.

Due to the rear-engine layout, the compact van had to be made with a small door at the stern. It was intended more for reloading. The main doors were located on both sides of the body.



The luggage compartment had a volume of 2,5 cubic meters. The carrying capacity of the compact car was 350 kg.

Separately, it is worth noting a kind of "hump" in the aft part of the body. This could make it difficult to stir long loads. But I had to take such a step to install the engine.

Passenger version

Almost at the same time as cargo vans, design engineers assembled several experienced minivans. A promising model of Zaporozhets received the ZAZ-970V index. The car was designed for 6 passenger seats.



The idea is really not bad - the ZAZ-970V simply had no competitors at that time, and then too. All sorts of "Rafiks" and YerAZs were not sold to the population, as well as the seven-seater "Volga" in a station wagon body.

Pickup and all-wheel drive version

The most unusual for the Soviet automobile industry was the ZAZ-970G model. This "Zaporozhets" received a pickup-type body. The car was intended for rural residents, it had two seats and an open-type cargo compartment, in which up to 400 kg could be transferred.



The cargo platform is equipped with a folding double bench. Of course, driving there is uncomfortable, but if necessary, you can. Do not forget that we are talking about the first half of the 1960s, when any car, especially in the countryside, was considered a boon. There, for happiness, it was also possible to drive in the back of a truck.

In a single copy, ZAZ-971 was built. This is an all-wheel drive car with a phaeton-type body. There is little information on this version, but the Zaporozhye plant planned to produce the same model range as with the 970 series. Unfortunately, these projects were not destined to come true.

All-wheel drive "Zaporozhets" was planned to be used for trade in the most inaccessible places, for medical and postal services. Showed interest in the car and in the countryside - directors, agronomists.

The fate of cars

All experimental ZAZ-970/971 models have been tested at the factory test site. Thanks to the use of “toothy” rubber and ground clearance, even the mono-drive versions showed a decent level of cross-country ability.

Although the small-capacity MeMZ-966 engines could only accelerate cars to 70 km / h, this was enough for the countryside. Despite the windage of the body, the car consumed an average of about 8 liters of gasoline.



Most of the experimental models were sent to Moscow, where they were distributed among enterprises. Despite the non-standard motor layout, cars aroused interest. It is safe to say that they would have been sold out, especially since in the USSR any car was doomed to success.

But the model did not go into mass production. “From above” an order came to curtail work and focus on the production of ZAZ-966. Thus ended the history of the minivans of the Zaporozhye plant.

It is believed that from 1961 to 1962 about 10 prototype ZAZ-970/971 cars were produced. Unfortunately, none of them has survived to this day.