GAZ-14 "The Seagull": a little history

The development of a new car of the representative class, which was supposed to replace the outdated GAZ-13, began in 1967, and by 1968 a full-size mock-up was built. The car was intended for the second line of the party nomenclature. The first pancake was a lump. An attempt to combine the old chassis and a new, understated and angular body was unsuccessful. And the high engine from GAZ-13 did not fit under the low hood. By 1970, the engine was rebuilt, the frame was extended by 200 mm and built three cars, which received a new index and the old name GAZ-14 "Seagull". The axiom of the gas designers that before starting the assembly line, it is necessary to build three series of prototypes, was justified, and from 1972 to 1974 released five more probes of GAZ-14. Finally, having corrected all the discrepancies, and after passing state acceptance tests, the car was put into serial production in 1977. Almost 10 years have passed since the beginning of development and before the release from the slipways of the first production car. GAZ-14 turned out to be a solid, impressive car. A modern and actual square body in the base had an X-shaped stamped frame. The upgraded engine had an impressive capacity of 220 hp. Acceleration to a hundred took 15 seconds. Today, this is a small figure, but at that time only the rally VAZ 2106 was accelerating faster in the Soviet Union. The three-speed automatic transmission with newly selected gear ratios implemented the engine torque very well . The top speed is 175 km / h, which is more than enough for a huge seven-seater limousine. The low body brought the center of gravity of the car closer to the road and provided excellent controllability than the previous "Seagull" could not boast. GAZ-14 bribed an extraordinary smoothness of the course. Energy-intensive suspension and large wheels carefully swallowed road irregularities. For the first time in a production car, the front brakes have become disc, and even ventilated.

The salon was equipped with the latest technology. Two heaters allowed to completely heat a large volume in 10 minutes. In summer, the air conditioning system came to the rescue. High-quality noise insulation and a properly tuned exhaust system of the engine eliminated all extraneous sounds. The front seats were taught to adjust in height, angle and reach, and the rear seats received a soft armrest. The most modern audio system (radio with a cassette attachment) with a rear panel in the rear passenger, electric windows, central locking and four ashtrays. In total, 17 (!) Different electric motors were installed in GAZ-14.

The car looked fine against the background of his contemporaries. Production continued until 1989, when Gorbachev, in the framework of his program of "fighting privileges," ordered to completely stop the production of the car and destroy all the technical equipment along with the drawings. So this iconic and simply good car became for us lost forever. In total, during the production of the GAZ-14, 1114 copies of the sedan, 15 cabriolets and 5 sanitary modifications were produced. Now the car has received the status of the cultural and technical heritage of the Soviet Union.