What was the original name for the "Victory" car? The original name of the car "Victory" in the USSR

The history of the Soviet car industry has spawned many legends and famous stories. Many of them experienced the brands themselves. One of these stories is the story of what was the original name of the car "Victory".

The origin of the project

"Victory" appeared on Soviet roads in the second half of the 40s. This project was implemented at the Gorky Automobile Plant. The idea of a new passenger car was born after it became clear to designers that the former "gas" models are hopelessly outdated. Between them and the newest automobile industry there was a significant abyss in a dozen years. With the end of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet economy finally began to recover. Then there were resources and money for the creation and mass production of a new model.

The original name of the car "Victory" was discussed at the last stage of the design. But the project of the new car of the Gorky Automobile Plant appeared in 1943. Then the government instructed GAZ specialists to develop a new model of the middle class. Domestic masters began to select constructive elements and an approximate layout.

The role of Stalin in the appearance of "Victory"

Many are interested in what the original name of the car "Victory" did not like Stalin. Not surprisingly, the head of the Soviet state at that time controlled all important industrial and automotive innovations in the country. Stalin became the initiator of the first five-year plans. It was he who reconfigured the Soviet economy for forced industrialization. Including the Secretary General personally oversaw the creation of the Gorky Automobile Plant in the 30s. And in the future Stalin paid close attention to what is happening at this important enterprise for the whole state.

In 1944 in the Kremlin there was a presentation of the model of the future car. The importance of the event was colossal. In case of success at the highest levels of power and permission from them to release the car was to go into mass production.

Choose a name

So what was the original name of the car "Victory" did not like Stalin? The first person was told in detail about all the features of the presented car. Finally the turn came to the name. The head of the USSR was offered the option "Homeland". That's what the original name was planned for the car "Victory". Stalin did not like this "sign". There is a legend that he cleverly answered the question with this proposal: "How much do we now have a homeland?"

After that, the name was naturally swept away. Nevertheless, for government officials who oversaw the project of the future car, it was very important to choose a patriotic option. Therefore, the following proposal was named "Victory". This option was arranged by Stalin. "Homeland" (what the original name was planned for the car "Victory") - the only misfire in the project.

Technical features

At the first stage of designing the car, its main stylistic and technical features were identified. The designers decided to give the car a low floor of the cabin, an overhead power unit, an independent front spring suspension suspended above the front axle. The original name of the car "Victory" ("Homeland") was planned to give the owner of a wingless bearing body with a streamlined shape. From the point of view of appearance and visual decisions at that time, these were the most modern ideas. According to the idea of designers, "Victory" was not just a machine. It became a symbol of the prestige of the entire Soviet automotive industry.

The immediate head of the project was the chief designer of the Gorky plant Andrei Liggart. It was he who finally approved all the technical solutions associated with the characteristics of the car. Lipgart also chose the emblem for the new model. She became the letter "M", which was a reference to the then-name of the plant. In the early 30-ies it was renamed the "Molotovets" in honor of the People's Commissar and the approximate Stalin, Vyacheslav Molotov. The stylized letter on the emblem resembled the teeth of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, and also the seagull - the symbol of the great river Volga.

The impact of war on the car

Of course, the original name of the machine "Victory" was patriotic. The second option was an even more direct hint of success in the Great Patriotic War. During the fighting with Nazi Germany, domestic specialists gained invaluable experience with foreign models of automotive equipment. These were machines captured by the Wehrmacht and directly in Germany. A huge number of vehicles appeared in the Soviet Union after the war as a trophy technique.

Also, a significant number of models fell into the country from America. The US authorities on the Lend-Lease program delivered a lot of cars to the USSR. The experience of using this technique helped the Soviet specialists to decide on technical and design solutions relating to the new vehicle. Therefore it is not surprising that the original name of the car "Victory" was swept away. The new brainchild of GAZ was to become another monument to the struggle with the troops of the Third Reich.

Start of series production

The first "Victory" cars were produced in the summer of 1946. These models, however, were only draft versions. Experts ran the novelty and checked it for technical malfunctions. The analysis lasted several months. During this time, 23 cars left the assembly line. All of them later became a unique collection rarity.

The original name of the car "Victory" in the USSR was condemned by Stalin. Of course, the secretary general became the first person to see the serial model. It was produced in 1947. Stalin liked the car. After his approval, a real mass production began. In February 1948, the thousandth Victory came off the assembly line.

Necessity of modification

"Victory" was carried out in 1946-1958. During this period, she experienced several modifications. This happened because by the beginning of the 1950s, the design flaws of the modern model had become evident. They were associated with low functionality of the body. The ceiling above the rear seat was inconvenient for passengers. The luggage compartment could not boast of a large volume.

What was the original name of the car "Victory" considered by designers? They wanted to give the car the name "Motherland", but Stalin changed this choice. In order for the machine to become truly victorious according to its name, it needed to be updated.

Victory-NAMI

Among the modifications of the first generation of the famous car, "Victory-NAMI" stands out. This name was not project. It is a reference to the state scientific center in the field of automotive industry. His specialists proposed to start the production of another modification of the sign machine.

The main innovations were that the body of the fastback-sedan had to be replaced by a conventional sedan. The front sofa in the salon was supposed to be removed, and in its place to put separate seats with improved finish. Replanning would increase the usable space available to the driver and passengers. In general, the development of NAMI specialists was reduced to increasing comfort. These ideas have not been realized because of the high cost of the project.