The legendary GAZ-51: a reliable truck, created according to the principle “it couldn’t be simpler”

The legendary GAZ-51 is a car that everyone knew in the USSR. They served in the army, worked on it, and even took exams at a driving school.
The truck was produced from 1946 to 1975 and during this period of time it was the most popular vehicle in its class. Buses and ambulances were built on its basis. It is worth noting that the first prototypes of the machine were created even before the start of the Great Patriotic War.
The above-mentioned prototypes featured a cabin from the American Studebaker. At the same time, if you look closely, some features of the latter can be seen in the new cabin of the serial GAZ-51.
It is worth noting that one of the features of the Soviet truck is that it was made according to the principle “it couldn’t be simpler.” Many parts of the car, from the engine to the hood locks, looked absolutely primitive, but were very reliable.
The lower valve six-cylinder GAZ-51 engine had a displacement of 3,5 liters and was a copy of the American Dodge D-5. This truck was equipped with the most modest version of the 70 hp engine. At the same time, the compression ratio reached 6,2, which made it possible to use not only the cheapest types of gasoline as fuel, but also a certain liquid reminiscent of gasoline.
The gearbox on the GAZ-51 was a four-speed one, which traces its “ancestry” to the Ford 2A.
The GAZ-51 suspension is also “couldn’t be simpler” - longitudinal springs. Moreover, if lever shock absorbers were installed at the front, then at the rear there was no such element at all. Their role was played by additional springs or, as they were also called, “springs”.
The official carrying capacity of the vehicle is 2,5 tons.
What is typical is that the 51st GAZ already had a stove, which allowed the driver to drive the car quite comfortably (at that time, of course) in winter.
Information