Just about the whole lot manufactured within the Soviet Union was stouter however cruder than their Western counterparts. In the present day’s Good Value or No Cube GAZ-69 permits us to expertise that firsthand. We’ll need to see simply how a lot of a capitalist one would have to be to purchase it.
Having a fecal-ton of mileage underneath its belt isn’t all that problematic when the automotive in query is an outdated Volvo just like the 1985 245DL we checked out yesterday. Further components in that Swedish wagon’s favor had been its handbook gearbox and a respectably low $3,600 asking value. All collectively, that resulted in a strong 82 p.c Good Value win.
Within the aftermath of WWII, efforts had been undertaken by nations across the globe to revive their economies, and a big a part of that was rebuilding the transportation infrastructure to engender native and cross-border commerce. To that finish, many international locations’ automotive producers launched small, fuel-efficient vehicles, which gave us the likes of the Fiat 500, BMW Isetta, and Citroën 2CV.
In Russia, one of many first post-war vehicles was the GAZ M20 Pobeda (Victory), constructed by the Gorky Avto Zazod (Gorky Automobile Manufacturing facility) in Nizhny Novgorod, positioned within the Volga area of central Russia. Out of that automotive was developed a 4X4 truck referred to as the GAZ-69, which was meant to function the Soviet Navy’s main light-duty all-terrain utility. Manufacturing of the GAZ-69 started in 1953 and led to 1972. Throughout that run, manufacturing shifted to UAZ (Ulyanovsky Avtomobilny Zavod) in 1956, however the truck nonetheless saved the GAZ title.
This 1972 GAZ-69 pickup is from that last 12 months of UAZ manufacturing and is claimed to have had a frame-off restoration “a few years in the past.” Based on the outline within the advert, it has been in storage in a delivery container for greater than a decade since. Nonetheless, seeing as these had been designed to be military-tough, there in all probability wasn’t a lot degradation over that point whereas squirreled away.
With its canary over black two-tone paint scheme, it definitely presents as extra of a classic farm truck than a army truck, however that’s only a skinny patina over a rough-hewn base. This one does have Volvo seats and, surprisingly sufficient, a Sony stereo, so driving it gained’t precisely be like bare-backing a Kalashnikov, but it surely ought to supply many of the anticipated expertise.
Energy for the 69 (and sure, that quantity won’t ever not be humorous), is made by a 2.1-liter gasoline 4 mated to a three-speed handbook gearbox and two-speed (excessive/low) switch case. The 4WD system is rudimentary however efficient, and with simply 55 horsepower on faucet, it’s in all probability extra enjoyable to slog this GAZ offroad than right-lane it down the freeway.
Both of these actions must wait as the vendor notes that the brake grasp has been yanked out as a consequence of a leak, making the truck unsafe (and even much less secure, relying in your standpoint) to drive. Amazingly, brake masters are available on eBay and are comparatively low-cost as well. On the plus facet, this GAZ does include a clear title, and the vendor’s boast that it rides higher than any up to date Jeep. The asking value is $7,000.
What can we consider this bizarre, and weirdly great, Soviet-era 4X4 and that $7,000 value of possession entry? Does that really feel like a good deal to 4X4 the Borscht Belt? Or is it too oddball to ask that a lot?
You determine!
Portland, Oregon, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Invoice Wright for the hookup!
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