1970 GAZ-24 Volga
The Volga GAZ-24 (pronounced Volga; nickname Barja (Barge)) is an automobile manufactured by the Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (GAZ, Gorky Automobile Plant) from 1970 to 1985 as a generation of its Volga marque. A largely redesigned version (practically, a new car in modified old body) - GAZ-24-10 - was produced from 1985 to 1992. It was sold as the Scaldia-Volga M24 and M24D in the Western European market.
Development of the GAZ-24 (then called M-24) finished in 1966 when several prototypes were built. The Volga GAZ-24 was unveiled towards the end of 1967. Full-scale manufacturing started only in 1970 (18,486 units built). GAZ-24 was developed to replace outdated Volga GAZ-21 developed in 1950s. Long wheelbase, boxier styling, bucket seats with lower bases and flat roof made the new Volga generously sized inside, with comfortable five- or six-passenger seating. The car was designed to last for years in severe road conditions, and its reinforced unibody construction gave the Volga extra weight if compared to foreign analogs. Yet power steering was not even an option, and it gained the nickname "barzha" (barge).
Standard engine was aluminium-block overhead valve 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) ZMZ 24D inline-four producing 95 hp (71 kW; 96 PS) with one twin-choke carburetor. Only a four-speed manual transmission with floor-mounted shifter was offered (though GAZ did prototype an automatic, a column-shift manual, and a three-speed manual with overdrive).
Development of the GAZ-24 (then called M-24) finished in 1966 when several prototypes were built. The Volga GAZ-24 was unveiled towards the end of 1967. Full-scale manufacturing started only in 1970 (18,486 units built). GAZ-24 was developed to replace outdated Volga GAZ-21 developed in 1950s. Long wheelbase, boxier styling, bucket seats with lower bases and flat roof made the new Volga generously sized inside, with comfortable five- or six-passenger seating. The car was designed to last for years in severe road conditions, and its reinforced unibody construction gave the Volga extra weight if compared to foreign analogs. Yet power steering was not even an option, and it gained the nickname "barzha" (barge).
Standard engine was aluminium-block overhead valve 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) ZMZ 24D inline-four producing 95 hp (71 kW; 96 PS) with one twin-choke carburetor. Only a four-speed manual transmission with floor-mounted shifter was offered (though GAZ did prototype an automatic, a column-shift manual, and a three-speed manual with overdrive).
