"Eared" Cossack ZAZ-968: description, specifications

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

The plant "Kommunar" in Zaporozhye since its inception produced small cars of the original design. Until the mid-80s, ZAZ products were equipped with rear-mounted air-cooled engines and torsion bar suspension. The first model - ZAZ-965 - had a lot of complaints from buyers. However, the car was affordable and had good cross-country ability.

Zaporozhets with a new body

The plant started producing more comfortable cars in 1967, when the ZAZ-966 with a sedan body began to roll off the assembly line. A characteristic external feature of the new model was the air intakes on the sides of the rear of the body, popularly called the ears. Accordingly, the car itself became known as the "eared" Cossack.

Early releases had a long "ear" with a deflector at the entrance. This decision was quickly abandoned, and the absolute majority of the "eared" Cossacks used shortened cooling air intakes. However, a certain number of ZAZ-968s were equipped with old-style air intakes from the factory.

Since the ZAZ-968 is a development of the 966th model, these cars have many common features. In addition, the plant has been producing both models in parallel for three years.

Cooling feature

During the operation of the ZAZ-965, the insufficient efficiency of its cooling system was revealed. Therefore, on the new machine of the 966th model, it was significantly modernized. The design of the air intakes was obtained as a result of blowing car models in a wind tunnel.

The principle of operation of the system remained unchanged - the axial pump pulled air through the ribs on the cylinders and heads. But the air intake was carried out through the "ears", the release - through the grilles on the rear panel of the body. Thanks to the shape of the air intakes, it was possible to obtain the necessary air boost pressure.

Design update

After a series of upgrades in 1971, the designation of the base model was changed to ZAZ-968. The car differed little from its predecessor. Her main differences were:

• slightly different interior and exterior design;
• more modern lighting technology;
• front brake system.

Until 1974, both models were produced in parallel.

Outwardly, these machines are very difficult to distinguish. The main sign of a clean 966 model is the absence of white filters for the front position lights installed at the corners of the body above the bumper. But in 1971-1974. the 966V version was produced, equipped with lighting equipment from the 968th model. You can distinguish cars by finishinginterior and engines of different models.

The purpose of the machines was also different. The technical characteristics of the ZAZ-968 made it possible to consider it a "luxury" model of the plant, while the 966B model was assigned the role of a simplified version, which was often used to manufacture cars for the disabled.

Earlier version differences

In the first issues of the "eared" Cossack there was only one brake cylinder, with a diameter of 22 mm per wheel. The upgraded machine received two cylinders - the lower one, with a diameter of 19, and the upper one, with a diameter of 22 mm. Some machines of the 966th model were also equipped with such a brake drive.

The instrument cluster on Zaporozhets ZAZ-968 early releases was similar to the previous model, but the instrument panel itself had plastic lining on the surface. On such machines, there was a stylized inscription "ZAZ 968" in the center of the panel.

On the 966 model until 1971, the position lights on the grill served as direction indicators in parallel. On the wings were repeaters from ZAZ-965. With the advent of the 968th model, a notch began to be made in the corner of the body above the bumper, into which a corner indicator with a white light filter was later placed. At the same time, the side repeater of turns was abolished. For the export version of the Zaporozhets, orange light filters were used for the direction indicators.

Changes in the interior of the ZAZ-968 concerned the introduction of a combined switch block under the steering wheel, which controlled the headlights and the direction indicators. On early versions of ZAZ-968the design of the front part of the body was identical to the 966th model - the so-called Volgovskaya grille. A photo of such a machine is below.

The door opening mechanism on the 968th model was borrowed from the VAZ-2101, while on the 966th, nodes from the Moskvich-408 passenger car were used. This difference often serves as one of the ways to identify the car, but you should be aware that a number of early ZAZ-968 had old-style mechanisms.

On cars before 1973, there was a small luggage compartment behind the back of the rear seat. Later, due to the changed design of the fuel tank, the separation was abandoned.

Early version engine

A distinctive feature of the early cars was a 41-horsepower engine with a displacement of 1.197 liters, equipped with a K-125 B carburetor. Structurally, the ZAZ-968 engine did not differ from its predecessors. The cooling system is forced, from an axial fan installed in the collapse of the cylinder blocks. Air intake was carried out through the "ears".

The declared resource of the ZAZ-968 engine was up to 125 thousand km. But many engines went into overhaul much earlier - at the 50-60th thousand. The main reason was the inattentive attitude of the owners. The ZAZ-968 air-cooled engine is extremely sensitive to contamination of the cooling fins with oil and dirt. But many owners have not cleaned the motor for years, which was forced to work at elevated temperatures and failed prematurely.

A four-speed gearbox was mated to the engine. Up until 1972 on 968s"eared" Cossacks lacked a sensor and a signal lamp for reverse gear. In place of the sensor in the gearbox was a plug.

Since 1971, a stamping for a reversing lamp appeared on the rear panel of the ZAZ-968 body, but the lamp itself was installed later. Two years later, the panel began to be equipped with an extended license plate area. Version 966B was not equipped with this panel from the factory.

It should be noted that the 30-horsepower versions of the Zaporozhets did not have a reverse sensor until 1980. Therefore, on such machines, the lamp hole was closed with a cap painted in body color.

Improve security

In 1974, the plant stopped production of the 966th model and once again upgraded the main car model. The new car became known as ZAZ-968A. In the new production program, she began to play the role of "luxury".

However, the ZAZ-968 model, which was produced until 1978, also remained in production. But the share of such a model in the production program was constantly decreasing. Outwardly, the cars were the same.

All of them were equipped with a new dual-circuit brake drive system that met modern requirements. In fairness, it should be noted that such a system has been installed since 1973 on export versions of cars. In the event of a failure of any of the circuits, a signal lamp was lit on the instrument cluster.

In addition to the brakes, the cars received a steering column with a folding structure upon impact and inertialess seat belts. On the helmsmanthe column began to use the ignition lock from the VAZ, equipped with an anti-theft latch. The turn repeater was again installed on the front fenders, but structurally it was identical to the part from the Moskvich-412 car.

New engine and interior

ZAZ-968A received a modernized 40-horsepower Melitopol engine MeMZ-968E. The main innovations were the crankcase gas recirculation system, the K-127 carburetor and a more efficient oil filter. Because of its power, the motor was nicknamed "forty". The new power unit made it possible to improve the technical characteristics of the ZAZ-968. Fuel consumption at a constant speed of 80 km / h did not exceed 7.5 liters.

There were noticeably more changes in the cabin. The Zaporozhets car received a completely new instrument panel made of soft plastic and a completely different instrument cluster in design. On the lid of the glove box there was a plate with the inscription "968A". The control knobs for the heating and ventilation system received modified pictograms. Door cards - different embossing pattern.

The shape of the front seats has radically changed, the design of which was copied from the VAZ-2101. The seats were adjustable in two directions, while the back could be folded out for a berth. The design of the seats had a stopper that blocked the reclining of the back when the doors were closed.

An auxiliary heater powered by gasoline was still used to heat the passenger compartment. The heater caused complaints from all owners of ZAZ cars withair-cooled engine.

Renewed look

Changes in appearance were the most minor. Instead of a 966-style grille, a narrow chrome trim was used. Front direction indicators with an orange color filter are located near the headlights.

Corner lights were preserved, but now they acted as position lights. On the rear fenders began to put marker lights with a red-white light filter. A general view of the front of the upgraded car is shown in the photo below.

Modifications for the disabled

In the USSR, the SeAZ motorized stroller and manual versions of production cars were produced for the disabled. ZAZ produced the following specialized cars for disabled people of the following categories:

• ZAZ-968B (AB) was supplied to disabled people without legs, but with he althy hands;
• ZAZ-968B2 (AB2) - for disabled people without a right leg, but with he althy hands;
• ZAZ-968AB4 - without a left leg, but with he althy hands;
• ZAZ-968R - with one arm and leg.

The cars had no external differences from the ZAZ-968A (except for the reversing lamp). All versions were equipped with an engine with a working volume reduced to 0.887 liters. He developed a power of 27 liters. s., which was quite enough for the disabled version. By analogy with a more powerful brother, the engine was nicknamed "thirty". Cars of versions "B" and "P" were equipped with an automatic clutch driven by an electromagnet.

Further development

The plant has been constantly working to improve performance andZAZ-968 devices, introducing many systems on the car from higher-class cars. So, an alarm system was gradually introduced here (in 1976) and a windshield washer with an electric pump. At the very beginning of 1977, parking lights were abolished.

From the end of 1979, ZAZ began production of a new model ZAZ-968M, which received a noticeably modified exterior design.

968 today

It has been almost 40 years since the production of the car was discontinued, so the "Zaporozhets" is gradually becoming a rarity. More and more people are buying cars for restoration. Particularly prized are copies of the first years of issue.

Many automotive publications periodically test ZAZ-968 of various modifications. Cars in various conditions are constant participants in various automobile exhibitions and shows.

In the USSR in Saratov, a model of the described car was produced in small series on a scale of 1:43. In 2009, a higher quality model was published in the magazine series "Auto Legends of the USSR". Both of them will be a great gift for collectors and just lovers of the classic "eared" Cossacks.