Sunday, March 27, 2011

Russian Victory car in America, mid 1950s










During the cold war, despite the paranoia stirred up by the likes of Senator Joe McCarthy, both the Russians and Americans exported products to each other throughout.  This photo set from the Life archive, about the end of 1956, shows the Pobeda or "Victory" in the USA.  The Life photographer seems to have decided to compare it with Chevrolet Bel Airs of the time as 1955-1957 Bel Air models also feature in most of the photos.  It can be seen that the profile of the Russian car was taller and narrower than the typical American car profile.

Details:
Manufacturer GAZ
Production     1946-1958
Assembly      Gorky, Soviet Union
Gross power  38 kW (52 hp)
Top speed     105 km/h (65 mph)
Acceleration  0-60 mph (97 km/h) 41.7 seconds
Fuel consumption 15.1 - 18.3 litres per 100 km (13-16 miles per US gallon)
Successor     GAZ-21 (Volga)
Body style     4-door sedan fastback
Engine          straight-4 sidevalve 2120 cc 50 hp (37 kW)
Wheelbase    2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length          4,665 mm (183.7 in)
Width           1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height          1,590 mm (62.6 in)
Curb weight  1,350 kg (2,976 lb)

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