RUSSIAN CARS ENTER THE WORLD'S MARKETS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29383, 9 December 1960, Page 15

RUSSIAN CARS ENTER THE WORLD'S MARKETS

no Russian cars have yet found their way on to the New Zealand market, an increasing number can be seen on roads in other parts of the world. The greatest seller is the basic model Moskvich 407—a four-seater four-door saloon with a four cylinder engine of 1360 c.c.

The aluminium overhead valve engine. haS two oil filters and the driver can control shutters over the radiator. Although their design appears a little dated when compared with current British and American trends, these cars are real value for money, offering rugged construction and. a' proven ability for hard work. The car sells in Britain fot £750 (including tax). Other Models

The Moskvich plant produces four other models. The 410 and 411 models are for cross-country work, and have four-wheel drive which is so necessary during the Russian winter when secondary roads become quagmires.

The 410 has a four-seater sedan body, while the 411 has a station waggon body with an extra door at the back. For the transport of

small freight, the factory also produces Moskvich 430 cars of the van type. So well organised is the factory that special taxis and cars with hand controls for invalids are also rolling off the assembly lines.

The Volga, with a 2J-litre engine, is sold in Britain as the most luxurious Russian model. It sells there for £lll3 (including tax).

In order to provide a greater section of the Russian people with cars, the Soviet Union is now completing a plant in Zaporozhye for the mass production of midget cars. The first models of these machines have already been produced and tested —they are known as Zaporozhets. This is one of the most interesting projects Russia has embarked upon for some time and bears resemblance to Hitler’s plans for the German people with the Volkswagen. The Zaporozhets bear a resemblance to the Moskvich, and although much smaller, are reported to be little inferior in quality. They have a four-seater, two-door, all-metal body with wide windows ensuring good allround visibility for driver and passengers. There is a 750 c.c. overhead valve air-cooled engine at the rear and it has a huge fan 'or cooling. Following the Volkswagen trend, hot air from the engine is ducted to the front .vindispreen for defrosting. These little cars have a top speed jf 59 miles ah hour—hardly acceptable in other countries of the world with well-formed roads, but quite sufficient for Russia.