The GAZ-66 is a Soviet 4×4 off-road military truck built by the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) from 1964 to 1999, with almost one million units made for military and civilian use. It was a main cargo vehicle of the Soviet motorized infantry and is still in service in several former Soviet countries. This page covers the key figures, the history, the variants and the questions people ask most often.
GAZ-66 at a glance
| Manufacturer | Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) |
|---|---|
| Production years | 1964–1999 |
| Units built | Almost one million |
| Engine | ZMZ-66-06 V8, petrol, 4,254 cc |
| Power | 120 hp (89 kW) at 3,200 rpm |
| Payload | 2,000 kg |
| Wheelbase | 3,300 mm |
| Curb weight | 3,440 kg |
| Top speed | 90 km/h (speed governed) |
| Successor | GAZ-3308 Sadko |
The figures are for the GAZ-66-11 cargo version. Other versions had different engines and load capacities, for example the GAZ-66-16 with a ZMZ-513.10 engine and 2.3 tonnes of payload.
History
The GAZ-66 was developed to give the Soviet Army a light all-road 4×4 truck. In 1969 it received the state quality mark of the USSR, the first truck of the country to do so. Production ran for about 35 years, until 1999, when the GAZ-3308 Sadko took over its role in the army.
The truck became a legend for its reliability, simple design and off-road ability. Its nicknames include shishiga and shisharik.
Design and features
- Four-wheel drive and a ground clearance of 315 mm in the GAZ-66-11 cargo version.
- A V8 petrol engine in the cargo versions; the GAZ-66-41 used a naturally aspirated GAZ-544 diesel.
- A canvas cab roof that could be removed or folded down to reduce the size during transit.
Variants
- GAZ-66-1 (1964–1968): the first production model, without a central tyre-pressure system.
- GAZ-66A: version with a winch.
- GAZ-66B (1966): paratrooper version with a folding roof and windshield.
- BM-21V “Grad-V”: the GAZ-66B chassis carrying a 122 mm rocket launcher, built for airborne troops.
- GAZ-66-16 (1991–1993): modernised version with a ZMZ-513.10 engine.
See also: the GAZ collection, the later GAZ 3308 that replaced it, the GAZ 3302 Gazelle and the GAZ Valdai.
GAZ-66 questions and answers
How many GAZ-66 trucks were built?
Almost one million, for both military and civilian use.
When was the GAZ-66 made?
From 1964 to 1999.
What replaced the GAZ-66?
The GAZ-3308 Sadko, which was developed in the 1990s and entered series production in 1997.
Why is the GAZ-66 so famous?
Its reliability, simple mechanics and off-road ability made it popular with armed forces and off-road enthusiasts for decades.
Video: GAZ 66 in Russian winter roads
Video by AvtoVse on YouTube.
Sources
- GAZ-66, English Wikipedia: history, production years, specifications of the GAZ-66-11, variants
- Red GAZ-66, Wikimedia Commons: photo and licence
