GAZ-62 - one index, three cars

If you ask the history of the Soviet all-wheel drive trucks, it turns out very interesting moment: under the GAZ-62 index there were three different cars. The development of each of them was carried out independently and at different times. And any of these trucks demonstrated excellent off-road characteristics, and their design used new for that time technical solutions. None of them was produced on the assembly line. Although they were all ordered by the military.

The first in this list was the GAZ-62 model of 1940. By that time, the concept of a off-road vehicle with a 6x4 wheel arrangement showed its futility. It became absolutely clear that we need a car with a 4x4 all-wheel drive. Implementation of this idea was initiated after the purchase in the US of equipment that makes it possible to produce a CV joint. In addition to this, a powerful GAZ-11 engine appeared in the series of engines of the Gorky Automobile Plant.

Outwardly, the new car resembled the usual GAZ-MM, from which he borrowed a cab and many knots. He became the first all-wheel drive truck, he had an original distribution on four positions:

- only the rear wheel drive is switched on;

- both bridges are included (rigidly);

- neutral position, everything is off;

- four-wheel drive with a demultiplier.

The results of the tests showed excellent dynamics and excellent patency of this car, but in connection with the approach of the war and work on the GAZ-67 jeep this truck for two tons was unclaimed. Lend-lease to us during the Great Patriotic War received a lot of foreign cars, including the so-called "Dodge three quarters." On its basis, the following GAZ-62 trucks of the 1952 model were created.

Externally, the car was like the 69th model, had the same 11th engine, was able to carry 12 people with a gun or a load of 1.2 tons. The GAZ car factory did not stop working and testing over the new car, new technical solutions were introduced into its design that significantly improved the operational and driving characteristics of the car. Having gone through all sorts of checks and showing excellent results, for unknown reasons the car was not mass-produced in a serial manner.

Instead, a new development of the GAZ-62 model of 1959 began. Now it was planned to create a beskapotnogo truck carrying capacity of one ton, capable of towing anti-tank guns with ammunition, as well as adapted for transportation by air and landing. The design was laid many decisions, which became later almost mandatory for cars of the next generation (self-locking differential, centralized swap, hypoid gears , etc.).

The cab for easier access to the engine was leaned forward by springs, some of the nodes were borrowed from the GAZ-63. According to its technical characteristics, this truck was not inferior to its foreign counterpart, in the role of which the German Unimog acted. The car passed all kinds of tests and was produced in insignificant series. In the future, it served as a base for the development of GAZ-66.

One index - GAZ-62 - three different cars. And each showed excellent for their time and type of results both on the road and off-road. However, after three failed attempts to develop and master production in the history of the Gorky Automobile Plant with a similar index was no more.