Car "Volga" (22 GAZ) station wagon: review, description, specifications and reviews

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

"Volga" model 22 (GAZ) is widely known throughout the automotive community as a station wagon. This series began to be produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant from the age of 62. The issue ended in 1970. On the basis of this car, many modifications were then released, but first things first.

The history of the station wagon

Together with the development of the GAZ-21 sedan, a station wagon was created at the plant. But these machines could not enter the series. After some time, the first copy was built at the plant. The GAZ-21R of the second generation was considered the base for it. Serial cars were built on the basis of the third generation. Interestingly, model 22 GAZ was produced in very small quantities, and an ordinary resident of the USSR could not buy a station wagon.

They were intended only for official use in various government agencies and enterprises. This was due to the fact that the model had excellent consumer qualities. This is a good load capacity and a large trunk volume. A Soviet person with this car could receive additional income - it was unprofitable for the government,because you could get a huge hole in the budget.

So, after opening the back door, the wagon could very easily turn from a private car into a production car: a small drilling machine or other equipment could be placed in the trunk.

This car became available to the majority only in the early 70s, when it was already taken out of production, new cars replaced the station wagon from garages in state institutions. The only person to whom the car was sold was Yuri Nikulin. He justified exactly why he needed the station wagon: he intended to carry circus props in it.

Appearance

The design of the third series of the GAZ-21 car was taken as a basis. In comparison with the rest, here the specialists decided to completely change everything that has already been. The body was distinguished by a large number of chrome parts, a new radiator grille was installed in front, which was then popularly called the whalebone. The fangs of the GAZ-22 station wagon disappeared from the bumper. The deer was also removed from the hood. This was done on 21 more models and not just for the sake of a new look. Statistics have shown that in the event of a car getting into an accident involving pedestrians, severe injuries are caused by this particular emblem. As for the author who developed the design, this is Lev Eremeev.

When developing the body, he relied on the trends of the automotive fashion of that era, and the Americans set the latest fashion trends at that time.

Of course, by the standards of the West, the appearance looked too outdated. Soviet manI liked the design: the car looked quite fresh and seemed unusual to many. But this concerned only pre-production models. At the time the Volga was launched into the series, the design had already become commonplace and did not stand out on the roads.

Today there are very few such cars left on the roads. For lovers of retro themes, reduced copies of the GAZ-22 1:18 52.

The GAZ-22 model very accurately repeats the shape and design of the body of the original car. This is a good collection purchase.

Interior

The wagon cabin is very spacious, half a century ago it was very comfortable there. In the USSR, the car was designed for 5 seats, but in the West it was officially considered a 6-seater. So, passengers were offered soft wide sofas, as well as a high ceiling and a flat floor. Decorated salon soundly. Fabric, vinyl and chrome were used as materials.

In the basic configuration, the Volga GAZ-22 station wagon was equipped with a radio receiver that was quite high-quality at that time. He could take five waves, which was quite enough for a Soviet person.

If we talk about comfort, then in this "Volga" they made a good heater. In mild winter conditions, it heats the interior quite tolerably. Another advantage is that it is silent. How, many of those who do not know will ask? It's simple: it is hidden under the hood. There is no need to talk about soundproofing, because this is the end of the 70s. At that time, noise in the cabin was considered quite normal.

Features of station wagon 22GAS

Among the features are a large volume of the luggage compartment, which easily increased if the passenger sofa was folded down. The rear row of seats is installed in such a way that a minimum of effort is required to fold them. This made it possible to transport enough bulky goods in a car: cabinets, refrigerators. High ceilings also play a big role here. Another feature in the technology of manufacturing the side of the body of the car 22 (GAZ "Volga").

So, for this, a one-piece sidewall from a GAZ-21 car was used, and then the upper rear part was manually cut off from it. And instead of this part, a new stamped part was already installed. Another feature is more powerful tires. Also on wheels it was possible to use tires from a ZIM car.

Capacity

The springs in this model are quite rigid. This made it possible to carry 5 passengers and up to 200 kg of various cargoes. If there was only one driver and passenger in the cabin, more than 400 kg could be put in the trunk.

Technical part

In the design of the car, the engineers used everything that was equipped with the third series sedan of the same name. As for the power units, there were three of them. They had different power: 75, 80 and 85 horsepower. There was also a 65 hp diesel engine in history. With. The 75-horsepower equipment was intended for use in the USSR, the rest were going for export.

Three-speed gearboxes worked in tandem with the engines. They were completely mechanical.synchronized boxes. Engineers thought about installing an automatic machine, but this idea remained unrealized for technical reasons. The chassis and interior details have been modified to suit the new bodywork, but the axle remains unchanged.

1965 brought a slight modification to the entire Volga lineup.

So, the spars were reinforced, the wipers became a little longer, the wheel bearings were replaced. The digital indices have also changed. The basic station wagon model became known as 22V, and the export model became GAZ M-22.

Specifications

The station wagon could accommodate from 5 to 7 people. The car accelerated to 120 km / h - this was its peak speed. As for the acceleration time to 100 km, it took 34 seconds. Fuel consumption ranged from 11 to 13.5 liters per 100 kilometers. Gearbox - three-speed manual, equipped with synchronizers in second and third gear.

The front suspension was spring, independent type with wishbones. The rear is dependent, on springs. It had hydraulic shock absorbers. Reviews say that the car has a very soft suspension.

The steering gear was a globoidal worm gear. As a brake system, drum brakes with a single-circuit hydraulic drive were used.

Reviews

Motorists claim that this car is fast enough. You can't even tell from the outside. GAZ-22 engine, although it was made according to modern technologies at that time:the aluminum cylinder block, full-turn crankshaft and more are still quite weak, especially considering the weight. But the pedal response of this unit is quite lively.

In fact, during a short test drive, the car in city traffic is quite confident if the speed limit is not more than 60 km / h. This can be simply explained: the torque that this unit can show is 170 Nm. The engine produces it at low speeds. However, reviews say that as the engine speed increases, the engine thrust decreases.

This motor has something that some people like. Judging by the reviews, it is very flexible, and the box turns into an “automatic” with it. It is worth accelerating in two gears, in third you can drive slowly through the streets and alleys without shifting, or drive along the highway.

Ambulance

For all the time, many modifications based on this wagon have been released, many of them were exported. In the USSR, sanitary modification was widely used. Its index is 22V. The model differed from other cars in a special mount for a medical stretcher.

Also in the cabin there were places for a minimum set of medical equipment. At that time, other generalists for medical tasks already existed. But they did not have a heated interior. However, the inside of the car was well lit.

Painted these models in white with red crosses. The rear windows were frosted. On the left and right front fender mounteda special search headlight, and an identification light was installed on the roof.

Press article about GAZ-22

As you know, the model was exported. The motor magazine The Motor, popular in England, even published an article about this Volga. The journalist praised the high cross-country ability, carrying capacity and durability. Sufficient structural strength was also noted. There were some shortcomings, but they are minor. This is an outdated design and weak dynamics.

The car was nothing more than a satellite of 21 Volga. They stopped producing the station wagon as soon as the production of the GAZ-21 ended. This was in June 1970. Today you can find models on the go, but there are very few of them on the roads. For those who wish to start tuning the GAZ-22 car, it is better to purchase only original spare parts. You can still find them.