GAZ-21

GAZ-21
Overview
ManufacturerGAZ
Also calledDongfanghong BJ760 (China)[1]
Production1956–1970
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)
Body style
  • 4 door saloon (GAZ-21, GAZ-23)
  • 5 door wagon (GAZ-22)
Powertrain
Engine
  • 2.5L M-21 I4 (GAZ-21/22)
  • 5.5L M-13 V8 (GAZ-23)
Transmission
  • 3-speed automatic (initially)
  • 3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (110 in)[2]
Length4,810 mm (189 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height1,610 mm (63 in)
Chronology
PredecessorGAZ-M20 Pobeda
SuccessorGAZ-24 Volga

The GAZ M21 Volga is an automobile produced in the Soviet Union by GAZ (Gorkovsky Avtomobilniy Zavod, in English "Gorky automobile factory") from 1956 to 1970. The first car to carry the Volga name, it was developed in the early 1950s. Volgas were built with high ground clearance (which gives it a specific "high" look, contrary to "low-long-sleek" look of Western cars of similar design), rugged suspension, strong and forgiving engine, and rustproofing on a scale unheard of in the 1950s.

The Volga was stylistically in line with the major American manufacturers of the period in which it was introduced, and incorporated such then-luxury features as the reclining front seat, cigarette lighter, heater, windshield washer and three-wave radio.

The GAZ M-21 Volga became the biggest and most luxurious car officially sold to individual owners in the USSR in large quantities; though its very high price made it unavailable for most car buyers, 639,478 cars were produced in total.[3]

  1. ^ "The Russian GAZ Volga M21 derivates". China Car History. 15 March 2022.
  2. ^ Gloor, Roger (2007). Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 – 1960 [All the cars of the 1950s, 1945–1960] (in German) (1 ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1.
  3. ^ Tverdiukova, Elena (11 February 2015). ""Стиляга" с волнистой обивкой: "Волга" ГАЗ-21 на экспорт" [Stylish with wavy upholstery: Volga GAZ-21 for export]. Rossiyskaya Gazeta (in Russian). Federal State Budgetary Institution.