1965 Moskvitch-408I
The Moskvitch-408 (also referred to as the Moskvich-408, and M-408) series is a small family car produced by the Soviet car manufacturer MZMA/AZLK between 1964 and 1976.
The M-408, the first of the series, replaced the second generation Moskvitch 407 as the main production model; it had a longer wheelbase than the 407. Design work started in 1959, and the first prototype appeared in March 1961. The first production 408 was built 1 August 1964, and the 408 was given its official debut 21 October. First marketed body styles of the main version were a four-door saloon (base), five-door estate (the model M-426, an upgrade of second generation M-423 and 424), and a three-door sedan delivery (the M-433, an upgrade of the second generation 432 delivery pick-up). The rear end design of the pre-facelift models were copied from the rear end of the BMW 700, while the bonnet was hinged in front.
The Izh-408 was a duplicate version of the car made by IZh in Izhevsk from 1966 to 1967. It was then replaced in production by M-412. In 1976, alongside M-412, the series were succeeded by the third generation 2140 series.
The first series of cars were produced between 1964 and 1969 in Moscow. These cars had vertical rear lights, two or four round headlights, a front bench seat, and a 4-speedmanual transmission with column mounted gear lever. The length of the standard model was 4,090 mm (161.0 in).
The second series was produced between 1969 and 1976 in Moscow. It had the same engine and transmission as its predecessor, but an updated body fitted with rectangular headlights and horizontal rear lights, with triangular turn signal markers mounted on tail fins. Also it had separated bucket seats and the transmission used a floor-mounted gear lever.
During 1966—67, the car was also produced by the IZh military factory in the city of Izhevsk, carrying the IZh-Moskvitch 408 name — though usually called simply "IZh". This car was a direct clone of the MZMA Moskvitch-408, except for the badges. It was replaced in production with the IZh-412, a copy of the M-412, starting 1967 and up to 1976.
The M-408 was a conventional rear-wheel drive economy car powered by a 1357 cc OHV straight-four, producing 50 hp (37 kW) at 4750 rpm (60.5 SAE hp)). After 1967, the assembly of the engines was done by UZAM in Ufa. One two-barrel down-draft carburettor was used. The car was initially equipped with self-adjusting manual drum brakes, then from 1969 - power brakes with a hydrovacuum servo and a split circuit braking system.
This Moskvitch was the first Soviet-built car to have deliberate safety equipment (since 1969): crumple zones, a safety steering wheel, soft interior parts, seat belts, a padded dashboard, and a split circuit braking system. This, however, was not sufficient to pass the European safety test as compared to Western market brands also sold in Europe in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The only third generation Moskvitch to ever pass the safety test was the M-412, first in 1971.
The M-408, the first of the series, replaced the second generation Moskvitch 407 as the main production model; it had a longer wheelbase than the 407. Design work started in 1959, and the first prototype appeared in March 1961. The first production 408 was built 1 August 1964, and the 408 was given its official debut 21 October. First marketed body styles of the main version were a four-door saloon (base), five-door estate (the model M-426, an upgrade of second generation M-423 and 424), and a three-door sedan delivery (the M-433, an upgrade of the second generation 432 delivery pick-up). The rear end design of the pre-facelift models were copied from the rear end of the BMW 700, while the bonnet was hinged in front.
The Izh-408 was a duplicate version of the car made by IZh in Izhevsk from 1966 to 1967. It was then replaced in production by M-412. In 1976, alongside M-412, the series were succeeded by the third generation 2140 series.
The first series of cars were produced between 1964 and 1969 in Moscow. These cars had vertical rear lights, two or four round headlights, a front bench seat, and a 4-speedmanual transmission with column mounted gear lever. The length of the standard model was 4,090 mm (161.0 in).
The second series was produced between 1969 and 1976 in Moscow. It had the same engine and transmission as its predecessor, but an updated body fitted with rectangular headlights and horizontal rear lights, with triangular turn signal markers mounted on tail fins. Also it had separated bucket seats and the transmission used a floor-mounted gear lever.
During 1966—67, the car was also produced by the IZh military factory in the city of Izhevsk, carrying the IZh-Moskvitch 408 name — though usually called simply "IZh". This car was a direct clone of the MZMA Moskvitch-408, except for the badges. It was replaced in production with the IZh-412, a copy of the M-412, starting 1967 and up to 1976.
The M-408 was a conventional rear-wheel drive economy car powered by a 1357 cc OHV straight-four, producing 50 hp (37 kW) at 4750 rpm (60.5 SAE hp)). After 1967, the assembly of the engines was done by UZAM in Ufa. One two-barrel down-draft carburettor was used. The car was initially equipped with self-adjusting manual drum brakes, then from 1969 - power brakes with a hydrovacuum servo and a split circuit braking system.
This Moskvitch was the first Soviet-built car to have deliberate safety equipment (since 1969): crumple zones, a safety steering wheel, soft interior parts, seat belts, a padded dashboard, and a split circuit braking system. This, however, was not sufficient to pass the European safety test as compared to Western market brands also sold in Europe in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The only third generation Moskvitch to ever pass the safety test was the M-412, first in 1971.
