In the USSR, trucks were produced mainly at the GAZ, KAMAZ, Ural, ZIL, MAZ, KrAZ and BELAZ plants. These plants produced various models from light trucks to heavy vehicles for transporting loads weighing up to several tons.
Some of the most famous trucks of the USSR:
GAZ-51: light truck, produced since 1946.
The GAZ-51 is a medium-tonnage truck produced at the GAZ automobile plant from 1946 to 1975. The GAZ-51 was developed on the basis of its predecessor, the GAZ-AA, and was the first post-war truck produced in the Soviet Union in large quantities. The vehicle was equipped with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing 70 hp and was fitted with a 4-speed gearbox and a reducer. The GAZ-51 had a carrying capacity of up to 2.5 tons and could reach speeds of up to 75 km/h. More than 3 million GAZ-51 units were produced during its existence, making it one of the most widely produced trucks in the world. Good reliability, streamlined production, and cost-effectiveness made the GAZ-51 popular in the USSR and other countries. Currently, the GAZ-51 has become a rarity and is of great interest to collectors.
KAMAZ-5410: heavy truck, produced since 1981.
The KAMAZ-5410 is a Soviet medium-tonnage truck produced by KAMAZ from 1981 to 1994. It was a very popular model, designed for transporting various cargo over long distances. The truck was equipped with an 8-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 210 hp, which provided it with a speed of up to 90 km / h. The KAMAZ-5410 was designed for use in difficult conditions, such as low-traffic roads, forest paths and agricultural fields. Various modifications were also created on the basis of this model, designed for transporting various cargo, such as crane machines, tankers and even passenger buses.
Currently, the KAMAZ-5410 is no longer produced, but it still remains a significant model for the Russian history of transport, as well as for the domestic automotive industry.
Ural-4320: military heavy truck, produced since 1977.
The Ural-4320 is a Soviet and Russian medium-duty off-road truck produced at Uralvagonzavod from 1977 to 2019. It is considered one of the most versatile and reliable trucks in the world. The Ural-4320 was originally designed for use in harsh conditions on various types of roads and off-road. The truck is equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 240 hp, which allows it to reach a maximum speed of up to 90 km / h. The vehicle’s carrying capacity can reach up to 6 tons.
The Ural-4320 has a robust and reliable design that allows it to overcome various obstacles on the road, including crossing fords and forest paths. This makes it a popular vehicle in many areas, such as firefighting, gas and oil production, forestry, etc. In some regions, the Ural-4320 is used to transport goods over long distances, covering a range of more than 1,000 km. Currently, the Ural-4320 continues to be a popular vehicle. Several modifications of the truck were developed, and more than 1.5 million units rolled off the factory floor.
ZIL-130: medium-duty truck, produced since 1962.
The ZiL-130 was a Soviet truck produced from 1962 to 1994. It was one of the most common trucks in the USSR and was used to transport a variety of goods, including construction materials, furniture, and food. The ZiL-130 was powered by a 5.56-liter, 125-horsepower, 6-cylinder engine that sent power to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission. In the 1970s, a modification of the ZiL-130V1 appeared, which had a more powerful 150-horsepower engine and a payload capacity of up to 6 tons. In the last years of production, the ZiL-130 was replaced by more modern ZiL-4331 and ZiL-4333 trucks.
MAZ-543: a heavy vehicle with a 6×6 wheel arrangement, produced since 1965.
MAZ-543 is a Soviet military truck developed in 1962. It was used to transport cargo, ammunition and shells at military bases and sites. MAZ-543 was equipped with an 8-cylinder D-12A engine with a power of 375 horsepower. The vehicle’s carrying capacity was up to 16 tons, and the maximum speed was about 60 km/h. MAZ-543 was in service with the Soviet Army and was also used in allied countries. It was also exported to many countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Currently, the production of MAZ-543 is suspended, but many of its vehicles still serve in the armies of various countries.
KrAZ-260: a heavy vehicle with a 6×6 wheel arrangement, produced since 1966.
The KrAZ-260 is a Soviet truck produced from 1966 to 1994. It was designed for military use as a heavy-duty cargo vehicle for transporting ammunition and other equipment. The KrAZ-260 was powered by a 14.86-liter diesel engine producing 240 horsepower. The vehicle’s carrying capacity was up to 12 tons and its maximum speed was 75 km/h. Later, the KrAZ-260E, 260L, and 260S modifications appeared, which had improved cabin space and more powerful engines. The KrAZ-260 is considered one of the most reliable and robust trucks of its time, and many are still used in the civilian sector and in the armies of some countries.
These trucks were widely used in the USSR and were used in various industries, from construction to long-distance cargo transportation. Some of them are still used in the former USSR.