“The GAZ-M20 “Pobeda” (Russian: ГАЗ-М20 Победа; Победа means “Victory”) was a passenger car produced in the Soviet Union by GAZ from 1946 until 1958. In 1955-57, several thousands were built with a four-wheel drive system adapted from a contemporary Soviet military vehicle (GAZ-69) for cross-country travel (designated GAZ-M-72). Russian references credit these as possibly being the first comfortable off-road vehicle with a closed unitized body.”
- Wikipedia
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Thank you to English Russia
Woa! That’s a thoroughly hot-rodded example with big rims and tyres – the standard appearance (with wheels and tyres that look – quite predictably – as if they almost belong on a Series I Land Rover) can be seen here: http://gaz20.spb.ru/modif_m72.htm
More pics here: http://www.oldrussiancars.com/archives/1234
I’m sorry, but that’s not an SUV, it’s a crossover.
“I’m back and ready to go”
I would point out that the Willys Jeep Station Wagon predates the M-72 Pobeda by almost a decade: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_Jeep_Station_Wagon
This car is similar to what the off-road magazines used to call “4xFreaks”, passenger-car bodies rebuilt onto (usually) Chevy Blazer or Jeep CJ chassis, usually fully depreciated used vehicles, as a one-off backyard project.
fromthe isdeit looks cooler than the new ones
Willys are awesome! But this, I like the chassis style. (I own an HHR, so cute!) If it’s as sturdy as a Willys, and has a strong engine, bring it on!
here’s a little clip:
http://youtu.be/b7oYBoIkq9E
Although there were 4×4 Pobeda’s built, the one in the photos is not one of them. it is a much later home built example using a Pobeda body on a military truck chassis. The real versions looked just like standard sedans with the exception of a raised ride height and 4×4 running gear of course.
The thing is that Germans actually beat the Russians by a few years with their VW Beetle 4×4 version built in 1943-1944 utilizing the beetle body and suspension parts of the two wheel drive and the four wheel drive military off-road VW vehicles.
This car was also made in Poland and was called “Warsaw” http://www.google.pl/search?q=warszawa+samoch%C3%B3d&hl=pl&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=4EYPT7nmJcfb4QTn8JztAw&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=653
@Yoda, my father had the good sense to procure a ’63 Willys wagon for me as my first car. It was old, rusty, and awesome. I still wish that I had that old Jeep, although my wife is happy that it is long gone.
Hey, people, do you read articles before commenting? It says that “Russian references credit these as possibly being the first comfortable off-road vehicle with a closed unitized body”. So stop to speak about Willies and others.
Huh.. looks like BMW X6.. LOL