Gaz-52/53 - an irreplaceable "hard worker" of the national economy

GAZ and ZIL trucks are closely connected with Soviet construction projects, collective farms and other sectors of the national economy. Why, until 2000, "Lawns" and "Zilki" clearly prevailed over all sorts of foreign-made trucks!


And now, no, no, yes, a dump truck familiar from childhood or a flatbed car with a blue, blue or olive cabin will flash on the street.
We will talk about the ZIL-130 in one of our subsequent articles, and today all attention will be paid to the "Lawn" - an honest hard worker of Soviet, Russian and CIS construction projects - GAZ-52/53.

The story of

The development of a new family of medium-duty trucks at the Gorky Automobile Plant began in the late 1950s.

Then engineers and designers worked on a whole generation of GAZ:

• ? 52
  
• ? 56
  
• ? 62
  
• ? 66
  

GAZ-52 was the main car in the family, it was supposed to replace the 51st model on the assembly line, which was outdated by that time both technically and externally.



When developing the truck, a specific task was set - to make a delivery vehicle for the city and village. There was no question of any use of the GAZ-52 for intercity transportation, if only due to production needs.

A machine with a carrying capacity of 2,5 tons was supposed to be:

• ? Maneuverable
  
• ? passable
  
• ? Have a smooth ride
  

Already in 1954, the first GAZ-51 appeared with a new cabin and plumage, but the model did not go into production then - they did not have time to prepare.
The updated truck developed a speed of only 70 km / h, like the old version. This did not suit the Ministry of Road Transport. The Gorky plant was instructed to finalize the car in line order, or launch the GAZ-52 series.



But fuel consumption has also seriously increased, and this was unacceptable, despite the fact that it is believed that no one spared gasoline in the USSR.
As a result, a decision was proposed to install new engines with prechamber-torch ignition on trucks. The motor allowed to increase power from 70 to 85 hp. with., at an acceptable expense and the ability to use 66 gasoline. But this engine turned out to be difficult in production and was eventually abandoned.





It turns out that the GAZ-52 is just a modified 51st model, with a new cabin and a boosted engine.

Birth of GAZ-53

Initially, a truck with increased payload was not planned to be a new family. But cars up to 4 tons were needed, so the GAZ-52G model was developed.

Tests have shown that the machine is not capable of carrying such goods:

• ? Engine power was not enough
  
• ? Max movement speed decreased
  
• ? Frame cracked on bad roads
  

Mass production of the GAZ-52G was abandoned, but these developments served as the basis for creating a new truck model. He received a GAZ-13 - V8 engine from 115 hp. With. I had to strengthen the frame, suspension, install new tires, work with the transmission. The result was a GAZ-53.



At first, trucks were equipped with model 51A engines, only since 1964 they began to massively install ZMZ-53 engines with a displacement of 4,25 liters and a power of 115 hp. With.

How the GAZ-52 was almost abandoned

All cars of the Gorky plant quickly divided by carrying capacity:

• ? GAZ-51A - 2,5 tons
  
• ? Modification 53F carried 3 tons.
  
• ? 53A took on board 4 tons.
  

For 52 models, there seemed to be no place left in the range, but she was able to resist. The fact is that the six-cylinder engine was not enough for the three-ton GAZ-53F. Based on the situation, the model was replaced by 52-03 with a carrying capacity of 2,5 tons. It happened in 1966.



This decision made it possible to abandon the GAZ-51A, which now also had no place in the production range, the new model surpassed it in all respects. But in the end, the old truck survived modification 52-03 for one year. In 1975, the GAZ-51A retired, it was replaced by the 52-04 model.

Modernization of the GAZ-52/53 family

Many people remember the nimble blue "Lawns", which are strongly associated with childhood. But the GAZ-52/53 had such a color only in 1978! This is due to political motives - they say, civilian trucks, there is nothing to paint them in a dark olive color! The USSR should be associated with something joyful, like a clear blue sky!

In the same year, stamping appears on the roofs of the cabs of GAZ-52/53 trucks.



As for the GAZ-52, everything is exactly the opposite - they received the rear axle from the "old man" 51A.



Changes by years:

• ? 1984 - simplified bumpers and new cladding
  
• ? 1986 - other optics (this does not apply to the GAZ-52 model), large mirrors
  
• ? 1989 - discontinued production of short-wheelbase 52nd modifications
  

In 1993, the production of GAZ-52/53 was completely discontinued. This year they were replaced by the fourth generation family - 3306/07/09.
Some experts argue that the GAZ-52 still managed to hold out on the conveyor until 1995, as modifications 3306 and 33061. But this is a controversial statement, since there is only a chassis from the old 52.

Prices for GAZ-52/53 now

In Russia, the GAZ-52 is still on sale, there are 53 times three more modifications. In principle, all this corresponds to the number of trucks produced.



The prices for these cars practically do not differ - from 60 rubles, although the GAZ-000 can be found more precisely at a low bar. The highest cost for cars of such modifications is about 52 rubles.

Buying a truck now is a so-so idea. There will be no particular problems with maintenance and repair, but the appetite of Soviet engines is impressive. The six-cylinder engine easily exceeds 20 liters in the city and 25 on a bad road. V8 on the GAZ-53 is even worse in this regard - from 25 to 40 liters.

There is an option to install a D-240 or D-245 diesel engine, then the consumption will be up to 20 liters of diesel fuel.

Why do we need GAZ-52/53 now?

Who can advise the old Soviet truck at the present time? Rather, someone who longingly recalls childhood or youth! These machines are not very suitable for work due to high fuel consumption and low payload.

But for a large farm, where the car will have to travel short distances a couple of times a week, it will do. You can drive the GAZ-52/53 on forest and field roads without fear of getting stuck, because this technique was made specifically for the countryside.



The main thing when buying is to look so that there is no V8 from the 53rd model under the hood - this happens in two out of three trucks. It is difficult to find a "native" GAZ-52, mainly some prefabricated hodgepodges from several models are sold.



But for the soul, in principle, it doesn’t matter which modification to choose - the main thing is that the truck is in good condition. If you manage to save another 50 years, then your grandchildren will earn on such a car by selling it to collectors.