The PAZ-652 was Pavlovo’s first forward-control bus: the engine moved out of a bonnet and into the body, the radiator was set at the side to shorten the bus, and a glass partition separated the driver from the cabin. Built from 1958 to 1968 on the GAZ-51 chassis, it replaced the PAZ-651 and was itself replaced by the PAZ-672.
PAZ-652 at a glance
| Maker | Pavlovo Bus Factory (PAZ) |
|---|---|
| Production | 1958–1968 |
| Predecessor | GZA-651 / PAZ-651 |
| Successor | PAZ-672 |
| Chassis | GAZ-51 lorry |
| Layout | forward control, engine inside the body |
| Body | steel space frame with corrugated panels |
| Engine | 90 hp six-cylinder GAZ-652 (GAZ-11) |
| Tyres | 970×234 mm |
| First prototype | 7 November 1955 |
| Series production | March 1958 |
| Updated version | PAZ-652B (1963–1968) |
The model is described in the Russian Wikipedia article on the PAZ-652; the English article on the factory supplies the production dates.
History of the PAZ-652
A new layout
The PAZ-652 was developed under Yu. N. Sorochkin from the Gorky bus plant’s forward-control projects GZA-650 and GZA-652, but it kept the GAZ-51 lorry chassis of its predecessor. The body was a steel space frame with through longitudinal base members and corrugated outer panels; the radiator was moved to the side, which allowed the body to be shorter. In service the body proved less strong than expected, and the air duct that warmed the driver’s cab in winter also carried a smell of petrol into the cabin.
Into production
The first prototype was ready by 7 November 1955. The Ministry of the Automotive Industry signed the order to start production on 1 October 1956, and series output began in March 1958. The bus was meant for district and suburban routes, but the roomy body was also used for mobile cinemas, field hospitals and blood collection stations.
The PAZ-652B
The original model was revised in 1963: the PAZ-652B corrected the faults found in service, replaced the opening vents in the side windows with sliding panes, and in 1964 received a stronger front axle. A one-door tourist version, the PAZ-652T, was drawn up but never went into series production. By then the factory was already working on the PAZ-672, which arrived in 1967 and ended PAZ-652 production in 1968.
Design and features
- Forward-control body: the engine sat inside the body beside the driver, with no bonnet.
- Side-mounted radiator: shortened the body and freed space for passengers.
- Steel space frame: corrugated outer panels gave the body its stiffness.
- Glass partition: separated the driver’s place from the passenger cabin.
- Sliding side windows: fitted on the later PAZ-652B instead of opening vents.
PAZ-652 versions
- PAZ-652 (1958–1963): the original production bus.
- PAZ-652B (1963–1968): revised model with sliding windows and a stronger front axle from 1964.
- PAZ-652T: one-door tourist project, not built in series.
- Special bodies: mobile cinema, field hospital and blood collection station.
The PAZ-652 replaced the PAZ-651 and was followed by the PAZ-672. More Soviet buses are in the PAZ collection.
Sources
- ПАЗ-652, Russian Wikipedia: design, history, modifications
- Pavlovo Bus Factory, English Wikipedia: factory history, production dates
.jpg){kind=link}