"Eared" Zaporozhian ZAZ-968: description, technical characteristics
Plant "Kommunar" in Zaporozhye since its inceptionproduced small cars of original design. Until the middle of the 1980s, ZAZ products were equipped with air cooling engines with a rear location and a torsion suspension. The first model - ZAZ-965 - had a lot of complaints from the buyers. However, the car was affordable and had good traffic.
Zaporozhets with new body
To release more comfortable cars factorybegan in 1967, when ZAZ-966 started to go off the assembly line with the sedan. A characteristic external feature of the new model was the air intakes on the sides of the rear part of the body, called people's ears. Accordingly, and the machine itself was called "eared" Zaporozhye.
Early releases had a long "ear" with a deflectorat the entrance. Such a decision was quickly abandoned, and on the vast majority of "eared" Zaporozhye, shortened air intakes for cooling were used. However, a certain amount of ZAZ-968 was equipped with old-style air intakes from the plant.
Since ZAZ-968 is the development of the 966-th model, these machines have many common features. In addition, within three years the plant conducted parallel production of both models.
Cooling System Feature
During the operation of ZAZ-965,insufficient efficiency of its cooling system. Therefore, on the new machine of the 966th model, it was significantly modernized. The design of the air intakes was obtained by blowing the models of the machine in a wind tunnel.
The principle of the system remained unchanged -The axial pump stretched air through the ribs on the cylinders and heads. But the air intake was carried out through the "ears", ejection - through the grilles on the rear panel of the body. Thanks to the shape of the air intakes, it was possible to obtain the required air pressure.
Upgrading
After a number of upgrades in 1971, the designation of the basic model was replaced by ZAZ-968. The car differed little from its predecessor. Its main differences were:
- somewhat different design of the interior and exterior;
- more modern lighting equipment;
- front brake system.
Until 1974 there was a parallel release of both models.
Externally, such machines are very difficult to distinguish. The main feature of the clean 966-th model can serve as the absence of white light filters front lights, installed at the corners of the body above the bumper. But in 1971-1974 years. The 966B version was equipped with lighting equipment from the 968th model. To distinguish cars it is possible on furnish of interior and to engines of different models.
The purpose of the machines was different. The technical characteristics of ZAZ-968 made it possible to consider it a "luxury" model of the plant, while the 966B model was assigned the role of a simplified version, which often was used to manufacture cars for the disabled.
Differences of the earlier version
In the first issues of the "eared" Zaporozhye there wasonly one brake cylinder, with a diameter of 22 mm per wheel. The upgraded machine received two cylinders - the lower one, with a diameter of 19, and the top one, with a diameter of 22 mm. Part of the 966-model cars also equipped with such a brake drive.
Combination of instruments on vehicles "Zaporozhets"ZAZ-968 early releases were similar to the previous model, but the instrument panel itself had plastic overlays on the surface. On such machines in the center of the panel there was a stylized inscription "ЗАЗ 968".
On the 966th model until 1971 The side lights on the grill served as turn indicators. On the wings were repeaters from ZAZ-965. With the advent of the 968th model in the corner of the body above the bumper, a recess was made, into which a corner turn indicator with a white light filter was later placed. At the same time, the lateral repeater of the turns was abolished. For the export version of "Zaporozhets" orange light filters of direction indicators were used.
Changes in the interior of ZAZ-968 touched upon the introductiona combined switch box under the steering wheel that controlled the light of the headlights and the operation of the direction indicators. In the earlier versions of ZAZ-968, the front end was identical to the 966th model - the so-called Volgra grille. Photo of such a machine below.
The door opening mechanism on the 968th model wasborrowed from the VAZ-2101, while on the 966-x knots were used from the car "Moskvich-408". This difference often serves as one of the ways to identify the machine, but you should know that some of the early ZAZ-968 had old-style mechanisms.
On cars until 1973, behind the back of the rear seat there was a small luggage compartment. Later, because of the changed design of the fuel tank from the office refused.
Engine of the early version
A distinctive feature of early machines was41-strong engine with a working volume of 1,197 liters, equipped with carburetor K-125 B. Constructively engine ZAZ-968 was no different from its predecessors. The cooling system is forced, from the axial fan installed in the collapse of the cylinder blocks. The air intake was carried out through the ears.
The declared resource of the engine ZAZ-968 was up to125 thousand km. But many engines went to overhaul much earlier - on the 50-60th thousand. The main reason was the inattentive attitude of the owners. The air-cooled engine ZAZ-968 is extremely sensitive to the contamination of the edges of cooling by oil and dirt. But many owners for years did not clean the engine, which was forced to work at an elevated temperature regime and prematurely out of order.
With the engine docked four-speedTransmission. Up to 1972 on 968 "eared" Zaporozhye there was no the gauge and a warning lamp of inclusion of transfer of a backing. At the sensor in the gearbox was a stub.
Since 1971 on the rear panel of the body ZAZ-968 appeared podshtampovka under the reversing lamp, but the lantern was installed later. Two years later, the panel began to be equipped with an extended pad for a license plate. Version 966B from the factory such a panel was not equipped.
It should be noted that the 30-strong version of Zaporozhets did not have a reverse sensor until 1980. Therefore, on such machines, the hole of the lantern was closed by a plug, painted in the color of the body.
Improving security
In 1974 The plant stopped production of the 966th model and once again modernized the basic model of the car. The new car began to be called ZAZ-968A. In the new production program, she began to play the role of "luxury".
However, the ZAZ-968 model remained in production, which was produced before 1978. But the share of such a model in the production program has constantly decreased. Outwardly, the cars were the same.
All of them were equipped with a new two-circuit systemdrive of brakes, which corresponded to modern requirements. For the sake of justice, it should be noted that such a system was set up in 1973 for export versions of cars. In the event of failure of any of the circuits, a warning light was illuminated in the instrument cluster.
In addition to the brakes, cars receivedThe steering column with the collapsible structure and the inertia-free seat belts. The steering column began to use the ignition lock from the VAZ, equipped with anti-theft lock. On the front wings again began to put the repeater turns, but it was structurally identical to the details of the car "Moskvich-412".
New engine and interior
ZAZ-968A received a modernized 40-strongMelitopol engine MeMZ-968E. The main innovations are the recirculation system for crankcase gases, the K-127 carburetor and the more efficient oil filter. Because of its power, the motor received the nickname "Forty". The new power unit allowed to improve the technical characteristics of ZAZ-968. The fuel consumption at a constant speed of 80 km / h did not exceed 7.5 liters.
Changes in the salon was noticeably larger. The car "Zaporozhets" received a completely new instrument panel of soft plastic and a completely different design combination of instruments. On the lid of the glove box there was a sign with the inscription "968A". Handles for controlling the heating and ventilation system received changed icons. Door cards - a different pattern of embossing.
Cardinally changed the shape of the front seats,the construction of which was copied from VAZ-2101. The seats were adjustable in two directions, with the backrest being able to be folded for a sleeping place. In the construction of the seats there was a stop that blocked the reclining of the backrest when the doors were closed.
For the heating of the cabin, an autonomous heater running on gasoline was still used. The heater caused complaints from all owners of ZAZ vehicles with an air-cooled engine.
Updated appearance
Changes in appearance were the mostinsignificant. Instead of the lattice in the style of the 966th model, a narrow chrome trim was applied. Front direction indicators with an orange filter are located near the headlights.
The corner lights have been preserved, but now they areacted in the role of parking lights. On the rear wings began to put parking lights with a red and white filter. The general view of the front of the modernized car is shown in the photo below.
Modifications for disabled people
In the USSR, for disabled people, the Seaz car was driven and versions of serial cars with manual control. ZAZ produced the following specialized cars for people with disabilities of these categories:
- ZAZ-968B (AB) was supplied for disabled persons without legs, but with healthy hands;
- ZAZ-968B2 (AB2) - for the disabled without a right foot, but with healthy hands;
- ZAZ-968AB4 - without the left leg, but with healthy hands;
- ZAZ-968R - with one hand and foot.
External differences from ZAZ-968A cars did not have(except for the reversing lamp). All versions were equipped with a motor with a working volume reduced to 0.887 liters. He developed a capacity of 27 liters. with., which is quite enough for an invalid version. By analogy with a more powerful fellow, the engine was nicknamed "thirty". Machines versions "B" and "P" were equipped with automatic clutch with a drive from an electromagnet.
Further development
The plant was constantly working to improvecharacteristics and the device ZAZ-968, introducing on the car many systems from cars of higher class. So, stage-by-stage alarms were introduced here (in 1976) and a windscreen washer with an electric pump. At the very beginning of 1977, the lamps of the parking light were abolished.
Since the end of 1979, ZAZ began production of a new model ZAZ-968M, which received a noticeably changed exterior design.
968th today
Since the end of the release of the machine has passedalmost 40 years, so "Zaporozhets" is gradually becoming a rarity. More and more people are buying cars for restoration. Especially valuable are copies of the first years of production.
Many automobile publications periodically carry out tests of ZAZ-968 various modifications. Machines in different condition are invariable participants of various automobile exhibitions and shows.
In the USSR, Saratov was produced in small seriesmodel of the described car in scale 1:43. In 2009, a model of higher quality was published in the magazine series "Avtolegendy USSR". Both of them will be a wonderful gift for collectors and just lovers of classic "eared" Cossacks.
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