Cars of our childhood - 1:43 scale models (48 photos)

Series "Cars of the USSR" produced by Saratov PA "Tantal". Who in childhood did not encounter them either at home, or at relatives’ sideboards, or at friends’. The dream of boys in the 70s and 80s. And how many collectors started their collections with them!

In the glorious times of 1970-1992, the heyday of production, models had a clear structure of variants; until 1986, models were “numbered”, that is, they had a catalog number on the bottom, each series had its own colorful boxes. The models were considered an expensive souvenir and were of the best quality in the world. For example, the development of Volga models, with a full-fledged engine, Niva with its 78 parts. And other models had a unique charm.

Now I’ll actually give examples of the models themselves; the photos show only models made in the USSR.

VAZ model series

Volzhsky Automobile Plant (VAZ, VAZ) is a Russian enterprise producing passenger cars of the Zhiguli, Lada and Niva brands. The headquarters is located in Togliatti (Samara region).

Construction of the plant began in 1967. The first stage, designed to produce 220 thousand cars per year, came into operation in 1971.

The basis for the production of a small car with a five-seater VAZ 2101 body was taken from the Italian FIAT 124. The power of the four-cylinder engine was 60 hp, the maximum speed was 140 km/h. The Lada was conceived as a people's car, which at a relatively low price could saturate the Soviet market. At the end of the 1970s, VAZ 2102 Zhiguli station wagon cars appeared. In addition, in 1977 a new all-wheel drive model appeared - the VAZ 2121 Niva.

During the Soviet period of existence of the VAZ plant, the production of nine models was mastered, among which the most popular were the VAZ 2101, VAZ 2106, and VAZ 2109.

This series can be roughly divided into four “subseries”
1. VAZ-2101,2102
2. VAZ-2105,2107
3. VAZ-2121 Niva (and derivatives)
4. VAZ-2108,2109 and derivatives
In principle, you can also take into account the 2110/2112 series, but this is a completely different model and a different country, and the cars of the USSR are of interest.

VAZ-2101 and VAZ-2102 are the oldest models, produced since the mid-70s, and are similar in architecture to Moskvites. The hood and trunk open, lots of chrome. The wheels are sprung, the bottom is on the screw.
On “registered” copies, until 1987, the screw was attached to the motor side, and then the engine was latched. That is, it was impossible to disassemble the model without breaking the motor mount. Therefore, these models are more valuable.
The color scheme of the models matched the color scheme of the real cars. This is not surprising; the models were intended to advertise real cars abroad.

The VAZ-2105/07 series appeared in the 80s. The models were much more expensive, they had all the doors and the hood and trunk opening. The architecture was similar to the Volga GAZ-24 and GAZ-3102. Structurally, it was the same model, with the exception of some elements. Until 1987, they carried the numbers A39 and A40, respectively. It is worth noting that the VAZ-2105 was the first model offered with a roof rack.

The VAZ-2108/09 series appeared last. There were already no numbers on it, although nominally the VAZ-2108 should have carried the number A43.

The architecture was similar to the VAZ-2105, but simplified. The bottom became plastic, no chrome was used. The wheel rims were similar to the five-wheel ones, but without chrome. They were mostly black or gray. Original thin tires were made especially for this model. A native box was also developed for the model, but it did not go into production, and the models were equipped with a box from the VAZ-2105.

Currently, VAZ models are almost fully represented by the Russian model manufacturer. In addition, there are more expensive Chinese and expensive imported analogues.

Models currently available:
VAZ 1111, VAZ 2101, VAZ 2102, VAZ 2103, VAZ 2104, VAZ 2105, VAZ 2106, VAZ 2107, VAZ 2108, VAZ 2109, VAZ 21099, VAZ 2110, VAZ 2112, VAZ 2115, VAZ 1118, V Az 2121 (Niva) , VAZ 2123 (aka Chevrolet).

A series of Moskvich and IZH models

Brief History of the AZLK plant, Moskvich:

The history of the emergence of the Moskvich family began with the construction of a car assembly plant named after KIM - the Communist International of Youth - in 1930. The KIM plant was a branch of the Nizhny Novgorod plant (later GAZ). In 1939, by decision of the Head of Automotive Industry, the plant separated and began to bear the name Moscow Automobile Plant named after KIM. In 1940, 500 KIM-10-50 bodies were manufactured according to the drawings of the plant in the USA. The equipment was also manufactured there. A pilot batch of KIM-10-50 vehicles was produced on April 25, 1941.

The object of criticism by I.V. Stalin had a two-door body with old-fashioned headlights mounted on the front fenders. The plant was tasked with developing a larger machine. Two prototypes of the KIM-10-52 car, a four-door, five-seater sedan, were urgently produced. Mass production of cars was not started due to the Great Patriotic War. At the same time, the KIM-10-50 had a number of significant disadvantages: frame design, mechanical brakes, and an outdated low-power engine.

Taking as a basis the four-door modification of the Opel Kadett K38, KIM, renamed MZMA (Moscow Small Car Plant), produced the Moskvich-400 modification 420. In practice, this car is an exact copy of the Opel Kadett-K38 (only the suspension was changed, designed for bad roads , an engine with a modified compression ratio to run on second grade gasoline - A66). The gearbox has also changed (instead of a four-speed, there is a three-speed). On the outside, the car has not changed at all. In 1947, mass production of these cars began.

Brief History of IZH:

IZH (IZH) - Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant is a Russian diversified company, which, in particular, includes an automobile plant that produces passenger cars. The headquarters is located in Izhevsk (Udmurtia).

The arms factory was originally founded in 1807 by A.F. Deryabin. In Soviet times, the plant significantly expanded the scope of its production; in stagnant years it was called the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant Production Association.

GAZ model series

GAZ (GAZ), Gorky Automobile Plant is a Russian company producing passenger cars Volga, Chaika, as well as trucks. The headquarters is located in Nizhny Novgorod (until 1991 it was called Gorky).

GAZ is one of the largest Russian (before the collapse of the USSR - Soviet) enterprises in the automotive industry.

The plant went into operation on January 1, 1932 and in the same year the first one and a half ton truck GAZ AA and passenger car GAZ A rolled off its assembly line. In the pre-war years, the plant produced two models of passenger cars: GAZ M1 (colloquially emka) and GAZ 4 Pickup. During the Great Patriotic War, the work of the enterprise was entirely subordinate to the needs of the front.

After the end of the war, the plant began work on creating new models of passenger cars. The first to appear was the famous GAZ 20 Pobeda (engine power 50 hp, speed 105 km/h), as well as GAZ 12 ZiM and GAZ 69.

1956 marked a new stage in the development of the plant - the GAZ 21 Volga replaced the Pobeda. And in 1959, the production of a more modern and comfortable model GAZ 13 Chaika with a 150 hp engine began. (in subsequent years, the power of the GAZ 14 Chaika model reached 220 hp).

In 1969, instead of the old Volga, production of the new model GAZ 24 Volga was mastered.

The Volga series consisted of three basic models and modifications.

All the doors, hood and trunk of the models open, and the transmission is made in detail. The early models have very realistic wheels.

The “canonical” lineup includes the following models:
Volga Gaz-24 (A14) - basic
Volga Gaz-2402 (A13) - basic
Volga Gaz-2402 Ambulance (A24)
Volga Gaz-2402 Aeroflot (A23)
Volga Gaz-24 State Traffic Inspectorate of the USSR (A26)
Volga GAZ-3102 (A38).

The latter is considered the rarest, as very few numbered ones were made. Model numbers appeared until 1986.

One of the most beautiful models.

Produced since the late 70s. Until 1987, it had the serial number A-15. It was painted exclusively black and was more expensive than other models. A real aristocrat. Sometimes limited editions appeared in beige. A version with illuminated headlights was also produced, in its original box. It was supposed to have the number A-33, but the bottoms with this number were not released, and the model went as A-15.

Bad changes happened in the 90s. The only normal change is that the wheels became solid, like on the Volga and Rafa, but unlike the same Volga, on the Chaika it became more believable and prettier.

Models began to be painted randomly, in any color. The bottom was replaced with a plastic one. They came up with some kind of scary convertible (the awning depicted an inverted bumper from the M-2141.

In the mid-2000s, the model again received a metal bottom, with holes for a plastic box. Some models began to be equipped with an antenna, a CHAIKA tamper, a painted grille, a mirror, and wipers.

Series of ZIL models

ZIL (ZIL) is a structural division for the production of trucks of the Russian automobile company of the same name. The headquarters is located in Moscow.

The history of the plant began on August 2, 1916, when the founding of the Automobile Moscow Society (AMO) plant took place in Tyufelevaya Grove near Moscow. It was supposed to produce the first cars in the spring of 1917. Before the October Revolution, the plant assembled cars from imported spare parts. At first, only 150 FIAT trucks from Italian parts were assembled in AMO buildings. In June 1918 the plant was nationalized. Until 1924, the plant mastered the production of automobile engines and carried out car repairs. A country devastated by civil war needed its own fleet of trucks.

The first Soviet-made trucks - ten one and a half ton AMO F15 vehicles, created from domestic materials, rolled off the assembly line in 1924. Almost all parts of the AMO F15 were made by hand. The changes made transformed the FIAT-15 taken as a basis. Lightening the connecting rods, pistons and flywheel, and replacing the carburetor made it possible to increase engine power by 17%. The cooling surface of the radiator was also increased, which prevented boiling in extreme heat and on steep inclines.

In 1925, the AMO plant produced 113 cars, and in 1926 - 342.

With the advent of the era of industrialization in the USSR, already in the first five-year plan, modern equipment, new models and modifications appeared at the ZIS plant (the I.V. Stalin Plant - that is how the plant began to be called). The number of cars produced at this plant has increased almost 35 times over 10 years. If in 1929 1.3 thousand cars were produced, then already in 1939 there were 70 thousand.

ZIL cars. These were the most prestigious and coveted models in the collections. The models were expensive, painted black, and had original and beautiful boxes.

Until 1988, the models had their own numbers, A31 (Zil-117) and A42 (Zil-115). The first models had an antenna on the roof. Licensed models were also encountered later, but rarely. After 1992, the quality became worse, gray, white colors appeared, and absolutely terrible stumps, such as “cabriole”.

The first Zil-117 models had an incorrectly opening hood. This was corrected before going on sale. Some of these models ended up with collectors. Now this is a rarity, but I do not see any value in such errors.

One of the best models. The canonical series consisted of basic (A-18), Militia (A25), Ambulance (A27). Early models had a metal bottom, numbers (until 1987), decal white stripes (basic).
Until 1989, the wheels were like the early Volgas, but around 1990 the wheels were changed to solid ones, and on the Volgas and Chaikas too.

There was also the so-called "Olympic" Raf. Number a21, remodeled interior, with a cabinet with torches, original bottom. The model was released in a small batch and became a mega rarity.

AMO model series

The beginning of the formation of the automobile plant AMO (Automobile Moscow Society) dates back to August 2 (July 20, old style) 1916. The groundbreaking of the plant took place in Tyufelevaya Roshcha (Moscow). The plant was founded by the trading house “Kuznetsov, Ryabushinsky and Co.” In the early days of its existence, the AMO automobile plant produced trucks under license from the Italian company FIAT.

The famous series of RAF models

RAF – Riga Bus Factory (RAF, Rigas Autobusu Fabrika). The RAF plant is the only minibus production plant in the USSR.

In 1949, on the basis of the Riga Automobile Repair Plant No. 2 (RARZ), a bus body plant was created, which in 1955 was renamed the Riga Experimental Bus Plant, and its products received the abbreviation RAF (Riga Bus Factory).

The first own 22-seater bus, RAF 251, was created on the GAZ 51 truck chassis.

Series of Russo-Balt models

Russian-Baltic Carriage Works.

Joint Stock Company "Russian-Baltic Wagon Plant" is a Russian enterprise for the production and serial production of carriages, agricultural machinery, oil and kerosene engines, and then cars for various purposes.

In 1869, the Belgian-German company Van der Ziegen and Charlier opened its branch in Riga to assemble railway cars. Joint Stock Company "Russian-Baltic Wagon Works" (JSC "RBVZ") was founded in 1874 in Riga. The plant was one of the largest machine-building enterprises in Russia. The territory of the plant occupied more than 20 hectares of land, there were 50 workshops. The number of workers reached four thousand people.

Until 1908, the Russian-Baltic Carriage Works produced passenger, freight, tram cars, binders and threshers, plows and engines for agricultural machines and even airplanes.

The famous series of Kamaz vehicles

KAMAZ (Kama Automobile Plant, KAMAZ) is a Russian company producing trucks (it also produces the Oka brand passenger car). The headquarters is located in Naberezhnye Chelny (Tatarstan).

Construction of the plant began in 1970, and in 1976 the first truck rolled off its assembly line. In stagnant years, the production of trucks reached 100 thousand units per year.

In 1991 - 1995, the largest plant in Russia was experiencing a crisis caused by structural restructuring.

The KAMAZ plant produced two-axle models of the KamAZ 5315 and KamAZ 5325 trucks, as well as the KamAZ 5415 and KamAZ 5425 models intended for operation as part of road trains weighing 34 tons. All these models are equipped with diesel engines with a power of 220 and 260 hp.

Currently, all of the above series have been expanded to quite decent arsenals of both new models and more rare releases.

In addition to this, on the shelves of model stores there are brands of the following domestic manufacturers: Belarus, Eraz, Zaz, Zis, Kavz, Luaz, Maz, PAZ, Start, Ural.