UAZ 450: car review

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

UAZ 450 is an all-wheel drive van with SUV design. This car is still in good demand. It can easily be converted into a camping RV that can go almost anywhere.

History of Creation

Before, everything was completely different. The UAZ "Loaf" car was produced from 1958 to 1965. It was a very important development for the Ulyanovsk plant and the entire domestic auto industry as a whole. This car was often compared by the people with a loaf of bread, hence the name.

In the early 50s, it turned out that the US would definitely attack the USSR. Such a nuclear future began to be seen as something inevitable. The question was which of the countries would be better prepared for such an outcome.

At the Ulyanovsk plant, which was a real branch of GAZ during World War II, they produced GAZ 69. And suddenly the company receives an urgent order. Engineers had to develop a comfortable vehicle for the needs of the removal of the wounded from the affected area.

Now this version is perceived as nonsense, but those of the developers who are still alive claim that it is. In the usual UAZ 450, in addition to the driver and two passengers, it was possible to attach fivestretcher.

Made in USSR

In the second half of the 50s, they already began to understand that the apocalypse was cancelled. But development work has already begun, and the car came in handy in everyday life. After all, this is a real all-wheel drive wagon minibus.

The GAZ 69 chassis became the base for the UAZ "Loaf". A completely original body designed by the plant's designers was installed on top of the platform. They say that the car received this name at the factory. So the testers called her.

UAZ 450 had a carrying capacity of 800 kg and a top speed of 90 km/h. In 1957, all preparatory work was completed, and a year later the car went into production.

About the same time in the United States decided to release a very similar model - it was the Ford FC. The car was distinguished by a truck and a van, and connoisseurs are still arguing about who stole the sample from whom, because the development was carried out almost at the same time.

Appearance

The car was produced in the form of a van with rear doors. The bottom was flat, the front part protruded, and the roof was equipped with special stiffening ribs. The family also consisted of a truck and a van. This car did not yet have a factory emblem on the front. It appeared only in 452 models.

Salon

UAZ 450 is designed in such a way that it is very inconvenient to get into the driver's seat. This was due to both the narrow doorway and the high threshold. The steering wheel was made three-spoke. The front panel is metal. Designersconsidered to be the most utilitarian. The speedometer was located to the right of the steering wheel - this is the largest instrument in the entire cabin.

There were no adjustments in the front seats. Even the back could not be adjusted. The seat cushion had no longitudinal adjustment. A special casing is located in the cab for servicing the motor. He divided the seats in front. Under the casing, the designers hid the engine, radiator and everything else. This is very handy when it's cold outside. The gearshift lever was located under the steering wheel. The front panel is also equipped with a dedicated tank selector. It was possible to determine from which tank the engine would consume fuel.

UAZ 450: specifications

450 model featured a frame layout. There were two driving axles in the running gear. At first, they were one-piece, and later, in modifications based on this model, they began to install detachable ones. As power units, a lower-valve engine from GAZ-69 was used, which had a volume of 2.4 liters, and its power was 62 hp

The gearbox was a three-speed manual, and a transfer case was installed in the same housing. Thanks to this special layout, the system easily switched to lower gears. For those years, this was a novelty both for the USSR and for the entire global automotive industry.

The brakes became drums, and the drive was made hydraulic. The suspension is fully dependent, on springs.

About high traffic

The car thatpractically unchanged for more than 50 years, he was able to earn his success only thanks to his qualities that the van had. For example, high permeability. There are practically no competitors for Loaf in the domestic auto industry.

Enthusiasts carried out a test drive for the UAZ 450 car. On the cobblestone pavement, the car shakes terribly. On rough terrain, the car is not afraid of even large sandy hills. It also rides uphill very simply and naturally, even if it is a steep hill. But the deep track is not very suitable for the Loaf. The only thing that upsets is the speed of driving along the crossroads. Constantly have to work transfers. What the car lacks is a differential lock.

Pros and cons

The main disadvantage is the general unreliability of this model. Also, quite a significant minus is the absence of any security system, well, except perhaps for belts. They also highlight high fuel consumption, and car owners are offended by the manufacturer for not equipping this generally good car with a diesel engine.

UAZ "Loaf": price

The secondary market is happy to offer 452 models at a price of $1,000. If the car is in a very well maintained condition, then the cost rises to $3,000.

For this money you can easily buy the same "Niva", but it can not be compared with this van. The car is a great solution for outdoor enthusiasts. They buy it, they drive it, even despite the high fuel consumption.