Moskvich-400: the first car that was officially sold to workers

The full name of this car, produced from 1946 to 1955, is Moskvich-400-420. The car came off the assembly line of MZMA - the Moscow plant of small cars. The main value for the history of the XNUMXth Moskvich is that it has officially become available for purchase to any Soviet citizen.


Previously, all "cars" that were produced by factories were distributed among enterprises and organizations. In the form of rare exceptions, it was provided for use by people who had special merits to the Motherland - artists, scientists, production leaders, etc. It was allowed (also not for everyone!) To buy a car through trade unions in the “thrift shop”. And one more opportunity - to win the ZiS-101 in the lottery right away.



For comparison: "Victory" in the 50s cost "mad" 16 thousand rubles, and GAZ-12 and 40 thousand rubles at all.

A bit of history

Initially, the "people's car" was conceived in 1939. And in the next, Stalin was shown a sample of KIM-10 (plant named after the Communist International, then ZMMA, after - AZLK). The car was with three (one at the back) doors and was based on the Ford Pefect produced in the UK. The leader categorically did not like the close design.


The "Father of Nations" was later shown other Western models. He specifically pointed to the "Opel Kadet K38", which, as expected, had a complete set of doors. In 1945, the more spacious KIM-10 was also ready.


But since they lost the documentation when moving to the war in the Urals, without further ado, they took up the “Cadet”. This is what the corresponding Decree of the State Defense Committee issued, where this model was directly indicated.

Features of "Moskvich"

The first prototype was assembled on the basis of the German Opel Kadett K38, which, even before the war, was very popular in Germany, where it was produced. After the end of the Second World War, the equipment from the plant was transported to the capital of the USSR. Visually, the very first "Moskvich-400" could be distinguished by the sound signal installed on the front bumper on the left. Later, the "bibikalka" was hidden under the hood.


Of the engineering innovations, then unusual for fans of automotive technology, it is worth highlighting the load-bearing body (before the frame was required!), Independent suspension and pistons made of aluminum. Curiosity was caused by windshield wipers driven by ... a camshaft.



In addition to mastering technology, money was also considered: in the summer of 1953, the car passed the breakeven point. If in the first year of production 1051 units of equipment left the assembly line, then in 1955 - 47758 vehicles.

Updates

A little later, Moskvich-400-422 appeared, which was a van with wooden doors. They also released an exotic convertible, which received the index "420A", which, despite the unusual body, lasted on the assembly line until the 52nd year.


Another interesting modification was a sanitary version of the Moskvich-400M car. Inside - washable upholstery, a medical kit, and even a third headlight above the windshield. And there was also a “truck” or, as they would say now, an open pickup truck under the symbol “420K”.


In total, 247 thousand 861 copies of different versions of the Moskvich-400 were produced.

Backdating tests

By the end of 1948, the car, almost immediately after the start of large-scale production, was exported to Poland, Finland and China. However, the “trick” is that the car passed state tests only in 1949, when it was already serial.

Modernization

Gradually, "Moskvich" improved. For example, synchronizers were put on the 3rd and 4th gears, the gearbox lever was moved to the steering column. There was also a hand brake. The camshaft, BC, pump, collectors, electrical equipment elements have undergone “adjustment”. So many innovations made it possible to "issue" a new model "Moskvich-401" (already 9 thousand rubles each). Its engine had a capacity of not 23, but 26 "horses". The steering wheel is framed with colored plastic. But that's a completely different story!