KAMAZ trucks out of series - forgotten trucks

The first model that left the assembly shop in Naberezhnye Chelny in 1976 was the KAMAZ-5320. In fact, it was the capital's ZIL-170, the documentation for which was transferred to the new plant. Having released the first-born, the company began to develop the following models with might and main. Their design was carried out in their own design bureau under the supervision of Ramil Abdreevich Azamatov.


At that time, the expanses of the USSR were plowed by truck tractors purchased abroad: Tatras, Magiruses and other foreign cars that Soviet drivers could appreciate. Therefore, in the KAMAZ Design Bureau, new models were created with some regard for samples of foreign equipment.

KAMAZ-6410

Kama specialists were interested in the DAF-2800, which is produced in two versions: in the bonnet version and with the layout when the engine was located above the cab. Engineers from Naberezhnye Chelny were interested in the latest model. She had a large loading platform, which was achieved by the maximum extension of the cabin forward. This idea was embodied in the developed KAMAZ-E6410.


The first prototype was presented in 1977. Externally, the car does not look quite familiar: its cabin is from the production car "5320", the front end, however, has been changed, the doors have been slightly modified, and something else on the "little things".

Technical Highlights

But here there were many more changes. The power of the power unit was boosted to 320 "horses". To achieve a smooth ride, the entire suspension was made on pneumatics, the rear axle, called the "sloth", became lifting. Such an engineering solution saved fuel when the car was empty. Such a moment is very important for Europe, and KAMAZ trucks were going to be exported.


In addition to the highway version of the truck, they also made an all-wheel drive version of it. Interesting: on both models, all tires are single-sided.

Results for KAMAZ-E6410

A version of the truck, designed for long-distance driving (driving on the highway), was demonstrated to the technical council at the Minavtoprom. The novelty was accepted favorably, but the series did not go. Why? There are many opinions on this subject, but one of them is still ahead. The majority is sure: Minsk slowed down the putting on the conveyor (and this is a lot of money from the state budget) of the KAMAZ truck.


Then at the Belarusian plant they were preparing to launch their MAZ-5432 tractor into a series, and the company's management used all available levers in the ministries to implement their project. It is not known whether this is true or not, only the fact is obvious: KAMAZ-E6410 remained gathering dust in the backyards of the plant, and the Minsk truck got on the conveyor.

KAMAZ-5415M

Despite various changes from model to model in appearance, KAMAZ remains recognizable today: the general outlines are preserved. Some people at the factory liked it, some didn't. In the latter case, attempts were made to create a different, more modern, bright exterior. In addition, engineers from the Design Bureau saw foreign samples, in front of which the first KAMAZ cab looked archaic.


The result of the efforts of the design bureau was the model 5415M, which was originally conceived as a two-axle truck. The chassis of the main tractor was the same as that on serial vehicles. The changes affected the power unit and cab. They decided to put a diesel engine of 360 "horses" on the truck: it was perfect for continuous operation, characteristic of "long-range". But there was a hitch with the cockpit: somehow they didn’t have their own ideas, and therefore they again decided to pay attention to the West, the same DAF.



However, the factory was not particularly upset: it was believed that the 5415M model was created to test various engineering ideas. Yes, and the introduction of a new truck tractor into production for the enterprise at that time was unbearable: it was stamping with might and main machines that went into series, without which the national economy of the country almost suffocated.


Later, a number of attempts were made to create a new cabin, but they were all unsuccessful. And what about KAMAZ-5415M? In total, five samples were collected, which were later sold to private traders. Where the cars are today is unknown.

KAMAZ-1101

The second name - "Bear" - the car was named after the son of the chief designer of the plant, Vladimir Barun. At that time (and this was even before the advent of the Oka), the minds of engineers were excited by the idea of ​​developing a popular cheap car. And they did it! Collected in the experimental shop.


Looking at the appearance of the machine, it seems that it was developed on the basis of a children's designer - it is obvious that they did not particularly bother with the exterior. Yes, and Barun himself argued that KAMAZ-1101 is the cheapest car that should be produced as a consumer good.

Technical features

Little is known about the car: almost all the information is available only in an article from the Znamya Kommunizma newspaper for the 1980s. Under the hood of the passenger car - a gasoline engine that develops 23 "horses". Wheels and optics - from the "Zaporozhets", the doors could be removed, instead of the roof - an awning.


Initially, the car was made double, later there was an option for four people, but in this case, I had to forget about the trunk. The material from which the body was made is unknown, but most likely it is fiberglass.


The driver's seat and instrument panel are in a strictly Spartan style: several signal lamps and switches, a simple steering wheel.


How many Bears were produced is unknown: according to some sources, no more than five or six copies. However, something else is completely clear - the car could not stand the competition with Oka. The fate of KAMAZ-1101 is traveling to exhibitions and "leaving" in history.

Other KAMAZ trucks that did not go into series

We have already mentioned some of them. For example, the "super SUV" "Barkhan" with a KAMAZ-740 engine (240 hp), accommodating 12 people. The machine was developed on the basis of the Mustang supplied to the RF Armed Forces and weighed seven tons. Worthy of respect throughput and power, unfortunately, did not become a pass to the conveyor. Another machine, about which you can find detailed information on our website - "KamAZ-54907 Continent" - a tractor with a diesel-electric power unit. This is a concept that embodies all the most modern solutions. Apart from the hybrid engine, these are digitally drawn instruments, video cameras instead of mirrors, a display on the steering wheel and much more. Whether this car will go into production is a big question. One of the problems is a considerable number of imported components and assemblies. In addition to electronics, this is the K5 series cab itself, the ZF TraXon Hybrid transmission.


Generally speaking, it is obvious that KAMAZ does not stand still – it is constantly experimenting and developing. And there, you see, among the prototypes there will definitely be one that will get on the conveyor. Or some ideas implemented in prototypes will be useful in the future for serial trucks.