65 Years UAZ Loaf

This car is a legend, a kind of conveyor belt long-liver. For its shape, it has been nicknamed "loaf". With minor modifications, this model has been produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant for 65 years. In honor of the anniversary, UAZ has prepared an anniversary series of the car. During the test drive, Izvestia tried to figure out why the legendary "loaf" still hasn't gone stale.

Young and green

It would seem that in Ulyanovsk, where the density of "loaves", "Hunter" and "Patriot" on the roads is many times higher than in any other Russian city, it is almost impossible to surprise the surrounding with a new modification of the UAZ. But we succeeded. People waiting for a bus at bus stops, pedestrians crossing the road and other drivers regularly accompanied our car with interested glances. Their curiosity is understandable: despite the venerable age, the anniversary version of the "loaf" looks unusual. First of all, it's because of the bright green acid color that the car's body is painted. And it's not just any paint; it's a special "Raptor" coating that creates a unique shagreen effect on the body. The second color available for the 65th anniversary edition is lemon yellow.

The anniversary modification is based on the seven-seater Combi version. In addition to its unusual color, this car differs from the usual "loaf" by its power bumper with a "kangaroo" and a winch mounted on it, a massive spare wheel bracket, an additional roof rack with a folding ladder, and special off-road tires. Since all the additional equipment is installed at the factory, it eliminates the need for future buyers to visit the traffic police and certification laboratories to obtain permits for such modifications.

A matter of habit

To get behind the wheel of a "loaf", you need to have a certain amount of skill and perform acts of equilibristics. Place your left foot on the narrow threshold, which is sandwiched between the door post and the arch of the front wheel, and use your right hand to support yourself on the back of the seat, while using your left hand to grab the steering wheel. With a quick movement, hold your head back to avoid hitting the door frame, and squeeze between the steering wheel and the seat, pulling your right leg into the cabin.

Experience comes with time: after a few cycles of boarding and disembarking, and a couple of forehead and knee hits, I was able to jump into the car almost as quickly as the factory test driver. It took a little longer to get used to the car's ergonomics and the nuances of its controls. The rigidly fixed steering wheel is positioned horizontally, similar to a bus. When shifting gears or slowing down, you almost have to rest your knees on the steering wheel, as the clutch and brake pedals are located high, requiring you to lift your legs to press them. If you manage to get the five-speed manual transmission into the right gear on the first try, you're in luck...

The 2.7-liter 112-horsepower gasoline engine, located between the front seats, accelerates the heavy vehicle quite quickly. However, the frame structure of the car, combined with rigid axles and a high center of gravity, requires the driver to stay alert at all times. The UAZ requires constant steering, and its large body sail makes it very sensitive to wind gusts.
In general, evaluating this car (whose design dates back to the mid-20th century) from a modern perspective can be overwhelming for an unprepared individual. That's why it's better to approach the study of the "loaf" with humor. For example, the lone speedometer embedded in the middle of the metal center panel can be considered an example of design minimalism. The readings are visible, and the dial doesn't glare in the sun? It means it's fulfilling its function. The exposed air ducts protrude directly from the depths of the center panel? At least your feet won't get cold in the winter! And the adorable wipers that flit in front of your face are a source of delight. It doesn't matter that almost half of the windshield remains covered with raindrops! You can still see the road through the cleared "embrasure"!

Your element
All the car's features fade into the background when the asphalt ends. The leaf spring suspension forces the passengers to hold on to the handrails, clearly transmitting all the details of the terrain to the body. However, it allows you to drive over bumps without reducing your speed. The minimal body overhangs, 20-centimeter ground clearance, and "toothy" tires, as well as the presence of a low-range gear in the off-road arsenal, provide confidence that the car can navigate almost anywhere. Not to mention the подключаемый полный привод и rear differential lock. The main thing is to set the right direction for the car. And if the obstacle proves to be too much, the included winch will allow the "buhanka" to get out of the trap without any help.

Alas, the dry weather that prevailed in the Ulyanovsk region for more than two weeks did not give us a chance to find even a trace of off-road conditions to test the anniversary version of the car. Moreover, we were unlikely to be allowed to get our cars stuck in the mud, as the pre-production car provided for testing had already been sold.

"Don't rush to bury us."
Despite the recent reports of the imminent end of the production of the "loaf" and the retirement of this veteran model, it is still on the assembly line and in steady demand. Moreover, this car is not only purchased by oil and gas workers in remote regions. The "loaf" has a large fan base, and a special edition dedicated to its 65th anniversary is aimed at them. And they have proven their loyalty to this car, which costs 1.6 million rubles: despite the fact that the serial production of the anniversary batch of 100 cars will only begin in September, all of them (which have not yet been produced!) have already been sold out. However, the UAZ company has made it clear that the production of this version of the UAZ-452 may be increased.