GAZ-56: specifications, tuning, reviews and photos

This car is interesting in that it was not produced serially. But at the same time a light truck occupies a special place among the products of the domestic auto industry. In the process of designing, testing, finalizing the machine has gone through all the stages, but the pipeline never came to the end. The history of GAZ 56: photos will let you know what kind of car it is.

How it all began

The history of this model began in the 50's. Then, after the improvement of the first post-war machines, the automotive designers began to develop the technology of the new generation. It must be said that at that time the engineering departments produced many interesting experimental, sometimes even original and fantastic ideas. And GAZ-56 was one of the crazy ideas.

Since in Europe the production of low-tonnage machines was very well established and they had excellent demand, the Gorky Automobile Plant decided that together with the production of the GAZ-51, it was necessary to produce a more compact, economical and modern machine.

The work progressed very quickly. Almost immediately made a model of plasticine in real size. The first prototypes for running in began to test already in 1956. There were a lot of shortcomings, so designers all optimized the project.

Works lasted until 1962. But in the same year the work was decided to collapse. Some ideas and technical solutions are used today. In 1960, on tests, only one machine proved successful. That's how the legend did not come out. But first things first. They wrote that it was produced serially, mentioned in literary works, and later released a dumper on the basis of the GAZ-56.

Design

Decoration of the appearance of the car and the cabin was carried out by the famous industrial designer Lebedev. So, instead of the slits of the facings as in UAZ, the specialist decided to make a vertical grate, and the cockpit itself and the details of its feathering should be made as simple and rational as possible. We must admit that even though the designer had an original vision, UAZ professionals did much better. The 300th looked more stylish and original. It somehow resembled a jeep, one of those produced in America in those years. But GAZ-56 is not a jeep, but a real truck.

With the modern shape of the front part and the advanced design of front lights, which the designers took from "Victory", gave the appearance of some kind of novelty and optimism. It is worth saying that the same exterior was also used for GAZ-51.

Two types of design were created. It is earlier, which was characterized by low wings, and late. It differed in the cabin, which was unified with GAZ-53. The first cabin was heavily criticized, as there were obvious shortcomings.

Dimensions and geometry

Designers and engineers gave the car GAZ 56 the following overall dimensions. The length of the truck is 5,085 mm, the width is 2175 mm, the height of the car was 1995 mm. The wheelbase was 2950 mm, and the wheel rims were 1650 for the rear and 1472 mm for the front.

"Gazel" of the times of the USSR

Geometry allowed quite confidently in conditions of dirt roads to transport more than 1.3 tons of various cargoes. On the track with a hard surface the car could carry and all 1500 kg. The weight of this model was 1848 kg.

Earlier versions had good ground clearance. So, under the rear bridge it could be 240 mm. Under the front - 345 mm. This clearance affected a small, at 6.5 m, turning radius. This machine possessed unprecedented maneuverability, as well as compactness, inaccessible at that time. The truck worked perfectly in off-road conditions.

Large maneuvers for a small truck

The truck was designed under the guidance of a young designer. This was very serious for the graduate of the institute. Before that he was engaged in the creation of trailers. But it turned out that there is a lot in common between the trailers and the future small tonnage.

It was decided to create the car on the basis of the UAZ-300 frame. In addition to a few minor nuances of design, as well as a simple wooden body, the GAZ-56 was not much different from its predecessor.

Technical solutions

The designers used modern and original solutions to create the machine. After the first tests it was decided to install on this car hermetic drum brakes. Also, a cam differential was installed, which also had an insertion reducer with a hypoid gear. As a power unit in the GAZ-56 - engine pre-chamber-torch type, with an upper-mounted configuration. It had a built-in electric clutch for the cooling fan and was called GAZ-21.

Exhibit for exhibitions

With this design and technical solutions, the truck was shown at an exhibition in Moscow in 1957-58. This is the most famous GAZ-56. Photos of the car were printed in all magazines, and even on matchboxes.

Version 2.0

The car turned out good. It was very necessary. Among the drawbacks of the model can be noted the poor design of the cabin and low wings. One of the most real flaws was that it was not unified with other GAZ models. To produce a car that is very different from its counterparts is very risky.

This was understood by the management of the plant, and therefore work began on the unification of the 56th. Unify the model tried with models 52 and 53. Designers and engineers have already created cabins and plumage. They were designed in the style of American cars.

For the 56th cabin were great, but they were also heavy. However, according to the drivers and those who conducted the tests, the new cabin had an improved view and was much more convenient (you can see the photo of the GAZ-56 truck and personally see for yourself). This slightly brought the model closer to the assembly line.
These cars can be considered the second version of this truck.

Differences

Cars looked, in comparison with the first versions, more simply. It seemed that they were not completed. The large dimensions of the cabin in appearance did not fit in and so low a landing. The small dimensions of the car also influenced the appearance.

In addition, the designers could not increase the dynamic characteristics and improve the patency. This price is for the desire for a unified design.

The motor from GAZ-21 with electric clutch, which later became used in GAZ-24, -56, and oil filter of centrifugal type, in this modification worked already at the limit of its capabilities. The engine was frankly weak. Even on a fairly flat road, the truck was unable to gain speed above 80 km.

Wheels

In the first version used wheels from the car GAZ-MM. In the second they decided to leave them, but they already had six pins instead of five. This technical solution did not stick. In the 60's it was decided to equip the model with tubeless rubber.

To implement this idea, we had to make new disks, which consisted of a deep rim, as well as a welded end axis. As it was a novelty, the factory planned to complete cars and conventional chamber rubber. So different modifications of the truck became 5. Here are three types of models of the first version and two models of the second.

Clutch and gearbox

As a coupling, a dry single-disk system was used. The checkpoint was four-stage, with synchronizers. Also, the machine was equipped with two cardan shafts with intermediate supports.

Features of the design of the second version

What are the updated GAZ-56 specifications? Among the important and new solutions of the car is to distinguish the rear axle with an integral construction and a reducer with a hypoid gear. Lubricate the GAZ-56 car with a special lubricant for hypoid gears. The same can be said about the rear hubs.

For those of the trucks that were planned for difficult conditions, a cam differential was used with the possibility of locking.

Suspension

This site is represented by telescopic shock absorbers. Instead of the typical springs for such machines, the springs were applied with special rubber original parts.

Governmental tests

The mileage of the tests was more than 25,000 km, but such a distance was guaranteed. It lasted exactly six months. Other GAZ models participated in this run , as well as the American "Ford Mercury-350" and "Opel Blitz". This run was carried out along roads, along washed out primers, and in most other areas.

Frame

On the GAZ-56 truck, the specifications in the second version have become noticeably better. Here the frame was even stronger than in American cars. But in particularly difficult conditions, the cooling system could not cope with the load. And the power unit was frankly weak.

The motor demanded constant attention from the driver, and it was necessary to handle it gently. It was not possible to modernize the motor.

There were also other shortcomings and shortcomings. This is the hubs, and the springs, and the rear axle with perpetual oil leakage.

Despite all this, the truck was deemed quite worthy for serial production. The machine was listed on the account only as a pre-series. And then he was again taken to the exhibition. About him was written many articles.

Project closure

In 1962, all work on this truck stopped. Some technologies have been used on other models, something has survived to this day. The trucks were not too lucky. The fate of the GAZ-56 is the tuning of the cabins. However, on the streets to see such a rarity is unlikely to succeed.