Today, the specialization of the Gorky Automobile Plant is the production of special and freight vehicles. However, acquaintance with its history allows us to say that over the course of its activities, the enterprise has developed and produced many cars that played a significant role in the life of the country.
The history of the Gorky Automobile Plant began in the pre-war years. At the beginning of its foundation, it was called differently. It was the Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant named after V.M. Molotov. After its creation, the enterprise took an active part in the industrialization of the Soviet state, the successes of which allowed the USSR to become one of the most powerful powers in the world.
Start
As early as the spring of 1929, the government of a young Soviet country decided to build its own factory, which would produce cars. The main task facing such an enterprise was to provide the state with equipment vital for it, which in those years had to be purchased abroad.
03/04/1929 the order was issued No. 498 of the Supreme Economic Council of the USSR. It said that the government decided to build an automobile plant, the annual output of which would be 100 thousand cars. Within a month, a site was chosen for the enterprise. It became a territory located near Nizhny Novgorod in the vicinity of the village of Monastyrek. This is the place where the Gorky Automobile Plant is located to this day.
Such a choice was not accidental. Already in those years when socialist industrialization entered its first stage of development, the Nizhny Novgorod province was considered one of the largest industrial regions of the country. In the city itself, as well as in its environs, a large number of metalworking and engineering plants worked. Among them, “Metalist” and “Red Etna”, “Red Sormovo”, as well as them. Vorobyov, ship-repair enterprise named after V.I. Ulyanov and some others. Thanks to this, in Nizhny Novgorod there was a sufficiently skilled workforce. But this is not all the factors that influenced the decision in this area to begin the creation of the Gorky Automobile Plant. Very close to Nizhny Novgorod is the Urals. And this is an impressive metallurgical base. Two rivers were also taken into account, the confluence of which is near the city. They made it possible to deliver everything that is necessary for the needs of the enterprise by the cheapest waterway.
The construction of the Gorky Automobile Plant was to provide the state with vital equipment purchased earlier abroad.
The implementation of the plans was not postponed. The Autostroy office was immediately created, the task of which was the construction of production buildings. It was headed by S. S. Dyvets.
American roots
The creators of the current Gorky Automobile Plant faced a difficult choice. They had to decide whether to train their specialists, which should have taken several years, or to take advantage of the help of other countries. After some thought, the choice fell on the second option. After all, even the slightest delay would lead to the failure to fulfill the plans.
Since the beginning of 1929, Soviet experts several times visited the United States. Here they negotiated the technical documentation developed for the construction of the current Gorky Automobile Plant. In addition, an agreement was reached on the use of American developments for the release of the first two models, which were to become basic. The main partner was the company Ford, which at that time was considered the largest representative in the world market. On May 31, 1929, the Supreme Economic Council of the USSR concluded a cooperation agreement. According to this document, the Soviet Union was to receive from the Americans the technical assistance that was necessary for the construction and commissioning of the new plant, as well as the right to manufacture a Ford-A type car and a 1.5-ton Ford-AA truck. Such machines have been rolled off the Ford assembly line since 1927. In addition, the American side needed to train specialists. The term of cooperation, according to the agreement, was equal to nine years.
The history of the Gorky Automobile Plant began thanks to another foreign company. It was a joint-stock company from the United States Austin & Co. Its specialists took part in the creation of working drawings and technical projects for the construction of buildings.
Construction
Site preparation for the Gorky Automobile Plant near Nizhny Novgorod began on the August days of 1929. On May 2, 1930, the plant was solemnly laid here.
Almost 50 thousand people were involved in the construction of the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ). They were led by civil engineer M. M. Tsarevsky. In 1917, while still a 20-year-old youth, he joined the Bolshevik Party. In 1918 he became a volunteer of the Red Army. He served in the troops of the OGPU and VK. Since 1925, Tsarevsky led a number of important construction projects. It was there that his talent of the organizer and builder was fully revealed.
After laying the foundation, the main actions for the industrial construction of the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) took place. In addition to the production buildings of the workshops, the enterprise needed a heating and energy center, a complex communications system and water intake, which it was decided to carry out from the Oka River. Also, near the plant, the construction of a large housing estate was started.
Thanks to competently completed design developments, excellent organization of work and personal responsibility of each specialist, the modern automobile plant was rising at a rapid pace. Just 1.5 years after the foundation was laid, at the site of the wasteland, located near a small village, almost all industrial buildings were ready for the next stage - installation of equipment. It was November 1931.
Installation of equipment was also carried out at an accelerated pace. In just 2 months, with the help of foreign experts, 450 units and machine tools, as well as almost 80 thousand electric drives, were installed in the 30 largest buildings. Such striking in its scope of work in the young country of the Soviets had not been carried out before.
However, the state’s need for cars was quite high. That is why, without waiting for the start of the Gorky giant, cars from imported units began to be assembled at the Moscow Plant named after KIM, and besides this, at the enterprise of the city “Hooter of October”.
Personnel training
Along with the construction of the car factory, since 1930, Avtstroy training facilities trained specialists for it. The personnel department of the Gorky Automobile Plant sent workers who were to work on the main container, to practice at the enterprise of the city “Gudok Oktyabrya”. In addition, the Nizhny Novgorod Shipyard named after V.I. Ulyanova taught turners and foundry workers, installers and locksmiths. CIT courses were prepared by toolmakers.
By December 1931, 11,503 specialists and workers had been trained for the first ever shift plant. In 1932, their ranks were supplemented by personnel trained at the enterprises of Moscow and Leningrad, Rostov-on-Don and Stalingrad, as well as Kharkov.
Beginning of work
01/01/1932, a car factory located near Nizhny Novgorod, was considered operational. 01/29/1932 at 19.15, under the cries of "Hurray!", The first truck in the history of the plant rolled off the assembly line with the applause and the sounds of an enterprise hoot. It was GAZ-AA. On January 31, 1932 there were already 25 such cars. Since February 26, 1932, the company decided to daily produce five cars.
In the first two decades of work, the plant’s specialists assembled 136 “one and a half”. At the same time, all the materials and components previously delivered to the warehouse were developed. Spare parts at the Gorky Automobile Plant were over, but no new deliveries were made. This led to the stop of the conveyor. G.K. arrived in the city to identify the causes of the situation. Ordzhonikidze. In his report, prepared by the Central Committee on 04/20/1932, it was said that the enterprise is fully capable of not only fulfilling, but also exceeding the tasks assigned to it by its equipment with machinery and equipment. Ordzhonikidze saw the reasons for the problems of the Gorky Automobile Plant in unsatisfactory leadership. After that, active educational and organizational work was launched in all departments and workshops of GAZ. Its main task was to clarify the need to combat marriage and to establish the mass production of high-quality machines while mastering new technology.
The difficulties at the plant were overcome very slowly. This was the main reason that by June 27, 1932, the giant enterprise produced only 1008 NAZ-AA vehicles.
In July 1932, a new director came to the car factory. S. S. Dyakonov was appointed to this post. Prior to that, he was in the position of deputy manager of WATO (All-Union Automobile and Tractor Association). The GAZ team immediately felt that a remarkably versed in production, broad-minded and talented manager came to the plant.
First production
The tests carried out by the Ford cars handed over to the USSR indicated that the vehicles created by the Americans did not meet the requirements of a country with poorly developed road infrastructure. That is why we started modernizing the existing machines. They should have been assembled by the Gorky Automobile Plant. So, for Soviet vehicles, a new steering system was developed. She was distinguished by increased reliability. In addition, our cars provided for an enhanced clutch housing that can withstand enormous loads.
Soviet designers independently designed and bodywork. So, GAZ-AA, which until the end of 1932 was called NAZ-AA, which stands for Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant, received new equipment. It was an airborne platform, as well as a cabin made of pressed cardboard and wood.
Fuel to the engines of such trucks came by gravity. At the same time, the electrical system was quite simple, and the valve drive was of an unregulated type. Maintenance of such a car was not difficult. At the same time, it was permissible for the driver not to have special knowledge of technology.
Trucks that had a mass of 1.5 tons were called "lorry". At that time, they had fairly modern technical solutions. Their design included an electric starter, aluminum pistons, helical gears and a 4-speed gearbox.
As mentioned above, the first trucks that got off the assembly line of the Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant were assigned the brand NAZ-AA. It was preserved for several months after the city was named after the writer M. Gorky. After that, the plant got its new name - Gorky Automobile Plant or GAZ for short.
In 1934, designers first improved the truck. Wooden cabins "one and a half" were replaced by all-metal. In addition, the plant began to produce a larger GAZ-AAA car. It was equipped with three axles, and its carrying capacity was 2 tons.
Passenger cars
At first, Soviet cars were produced with a Ford powertrain. Their working volume is 3.2 liters, and capacity is 40 liters. from. In this case, an empty car could accelerate up to 70 km / h. GAZ-A was equipped with the same engine. This car began to be produced by the factory from the end of 1932 and was no longer called NAZ. The car was sent to the needs of various state organizations, military units and top officials of the state. The owners of several cars became private individuals.
First bus
Gradually, new products of the Gorky Automobile Plant were being developed. So, in 1933, a bus for seventeen GAZ-4 seats was released. This machine had a wooden frame, which was sheathed with wood-metal sheathing. GAZ-4 was created on the basis of experimental modifications of the GAZ-2, as well as the GAZ-3. The new machine was adapted to domestic technologies and operating conditions. Its basis was the GAZ-AA cabin. A cargo platform was attached to it end to end, on the sides of which there were 2 folding benches. A car could transport people equally well and 400 kg of cargo.
The leading designer in the development of the bus was N.I. Borisov. Produced this vehicle at the factory number 1. Since 1946, he changed his name to the Gorky Bus Plant (GZA). At its core, the GAZ-4 was the same “one and a half” to which another salon was attached.
Emka
In 1936, the list of products of the Gorky Automobile Plant was replenished with a new model. The company launched the production of GAZ M-1 or Molotovets-1, which is better known as Emka.
The development of this model allowed the GAZ team to rise to a higher technical level, creating the prerequisites for the creative growth of the design team.
The GAZ M-1 model has a kind of biography. Over the years, she constantly modernized and improved, which allowed the car to serve people with dignity from the late thirties to the fifties. The M-1 model became the basis for the GAZ-415 pickup truck, which was developed and put into mass production in 1937. The carrying capacity of this vehicle was 400 kg. Emki was also produced with a six-cylinder engine. These are GAZ-11 cars.
Model Upgrade
From the moment the plant was launched, and throughout its entire phase of activity, the designers constantly improved the existing models. So, more than a dozen experimental cars in single copies were designed and created. Such developments in the future and found their application in the development of projects of new machines.
Before the war, the army’s GAZ-64 off-road vehicles began to roll off the assembly line, and in addition to it, the GAZ-67. They were created on the chassis belonging to the GAZ-61, shortening it at the base by 755 mm. New car models were all-wheel drive. They had an open body. Their doors were replaced by cutouts.
In addition, for army needs, the plant launched the production of light tanks. In the period from 1936 to 1941. GAZ produced 35 T-38s. Since 1938, the plant produced GAZ-AAA, equipped with an anti-aircraft gun.
In 1937, a license was purchased for the production of a sufficiently powerful Dodge D5 motor at the time. With its six cylinders of 3.5 liters, he was able to develop power up to 76 liters. from. Such an engine began to be installed on the Emka, which received the changed name GAZ-11-73.
In addition to these famous cars, in the pre-war years GAZ created many other models of vehicles. In particular, these are ambulances, as well as dump trucks developed on the basis of the “one and a half” truck, whose body was lowered due to the pressure of the cargo.
War years
In the early days of the fight against fascism, civilian cars of the Gorky Automobile Plant were removed from the conveyor. The company switched to the production of military equipment.
It was here that the GAZ-64 was produced, which became the country's first passenger SUV. Subsequently, its design was taken as the basis for the development of the UAZ-469.
After 2 years, the light saw the model GAZ-67B. It was a small artillery tractor with a ruggedized structure and a 54 liter engine. from.
In the history of GAZ, there was also the creation of models of the BA-64 armored car, as well as an improved version of the BA-64B. The last of them had an extended track, with the help of which he could overcome difficult sections, including wetlands.
But this is far from a complete list of combat vehicles, the production of which was occupied by workers at the war years. Plant designers took part in the development of the Red Army tanks. At the beginning of the war, these were the T-60 models, as well as its modernized version of the T-70.
The artillery light installation SU-76 was first created at the Gorky Automobile Plant, and then its modernized model, the SU-76M, was created.
The design department of the enterprise has developed more than 20 cars with increased cross-country ability. Among them are tracked, as well as half-tracked. But most of them were never released, preserved only in the form of prototypes and drawings. GAZ and BM were produced at the plant - rocket mortars, or Katyusha.
In the workshops of the enterprise, workers were engaged in the production of items not related to transport in any way. It was a weapon, mortars, shells and ammunition. After the war against fascism ended, the plant, as well as its designers, received government awards. This emphasized their merit in defeating the enemy.
Post-war years
After the Great Victory, the country needed trucks. However, despite this, the government of the USSR set the task for GAZ to arrange the production of a new passenger car. And already in 1946, the innovative GAZ-M20 rolled off the assembly line of the plant. The name of this model is familiar to many - “Victory”. Prior to this, the domestic automotive industry had never applied the design of the supporting body and the pontoon layout. This led to a lack of clearance between the wings and the hood. The car was equipped with a modern engine for those times, the volume of which was 2.1 liters, and the power was 52 liters. from.
In the postwar years, the famous "lorry" was sent "to rest". It was replaced by GAZ-51 models, which had rear-wheel drive, 2.5 tons of load capacity, as well as GAZ-63 with all-wheel drive and 2 tons of load capacity.
In 1949, instead of the army off-road vehicle GAZ-67B, the factory began production of the famous GAZ-69, which the people began to call the "goat". In 1950, the designers of the enterprise released a new car. They became the model GAZ-12 or "ZIM". It was equipped with a six-cylinder powerful engine of 3.5 liters, which was able to develop a capacity of 90 liters. from.
From Victory to the present day
In 1956, production of Volga cars began at the plant. These models replaced the outdated Victory. Their production was an important milestone in the activities of the domestic automobile industry. These cars were middle-class sedans, with an engine power of 70 liters. from. The factory began to produce luxury Volg models, which were exported. In 1970, the GAZ-24 model began to descend from the conveyor. Compared to its predecessor, it had a more spacious interior and trunk, and the engine had a capacity of 98 liters. from.
By the end of the 60s, production of the GAZ-13, a seven-seater "Seagull," was mastered. The new car was equipped with power windows, a washer mounted on the windshield, folding seats, fog lights. The next model of this GAZ-14 series was released in the 70s and had a 220 l engine. from.
The factory constantly went on the modernization and production of trucks. The production of the GAZ-52 was established, and besides this, the GAZ-53A, and besides this, the GAZ-66. Starting from the 80s, GAZ began to install diesel engines on its vehicles. The first of these cars was the GAZ-4301.
08.24.1971 the parent company, as well as all its subsidiary plants, became part of the production association, which became known as AvtoGAZ. Since 1973, having in its composition 11 enterprises, it began to be called PO GAZ. Gorky Automobile Plant received its status in 1992. After the end of the USSR era, this company was one of the first to switch to the market economy. In 1995, the plant produced Gazelle. This is a model 3302, which is especially widespread.
In 2000, a controlling stake owned by GAZ OJSC was acquired by Basic Element. After that, the Gorky enterprise became part of the RusPromAvto holding, which was later transformed into the GAZ Group.
Today, the joint-stock company continues to develop and produce new car models. It also produces and sells spare parts for its vehicles. TIN of the Gorky Automobile Plant - 5200000046. This and other details can be found on the official website of the company. The address of the Gorky Automobile Plant is also listed here. The company is located in Nizhny Novgorod on Lenin Avenue in 88.
In 1965, the Museum of the History of the Gorky Automobile Plant was opened. It was located in the training center of the enterprise. The Gorky Automobile Plant Museum is located on two floors. At the first of them you can see the stationary exhibition "Cars and their creators." Here are assembled models of the GAZ brand. On the second floor there is an exposition "History and development of the enterprise." The museum of the Gorky Automobile Plant is located at the address: Nizhny Novgorod, Lenin Avenue, 95.
Its creation was initiated by the administration of the enterprise and its veterans. In the walls of the museum managed to collect a unique collection of cars, as well as very interesting documentary materials. And until now, collection of exhibits telling about the life of the enterprise and factory workers continues here.
A visit to the museum, as well as acquaintance with its exhibits, allows visitors to create their own idea of the history of the GAZ automobile plant. Moreover, people are particularly interested in models of machines that are the heritage of the plant. All of them were bought as a result of the huge work done. Moreover, each of the cars standing in the walls of the museum is not only restored, but also in working condition, which is constantly maintained at the proper level.