Unlike others: why was the Zaporozhets engine located at the rear? (4 photos + 1 video)

“Zaporozhets” became a truly popular vehicle that almost every resident of the Soviet Union could afford. But why is the engine located in the rear?





Perhaps the car's technical abilities were not the most outstanding, but this did not upset the drivers. This car had one interesting feature that set it apart from all cars. According to engineering design, the Cossack's engine was always placed in the rear.

Budget car

Since the 1960s, the Zaporozhets has become one of the most affordable and budget cars. The main advantage of this car was its extreme efficiency. Unfortunately, for the sake of this efficiency, we had to take into account some comfort conditions and other positive aspects of familiar cars.



Savings on production led, for example, to the fact that the cooling and heating system in the Zaporozhian cabin functioned extremely poorly. The heater in the car worked very poorly, so in winter it was as cold inside the car as it was outside. And the accumulated heat quickly evaporated after stopping. In summer, on the contrary, it was very hot in the cabin.

The sound made by the Cossack's engine was also unpleasant. In general, in general, this car was not the best option for a vehicle, but in Soviet times it was the only available option, so there was no choice.

Why is the engine at the rear?

The main feature of the Cossack was the atypical location of the engine - it was located in the rear of the car. Cars with a similar arrangement of the motor system were already being produced at that time, but they were intended for use by disabled drivers and were not intended for everyday use. Therefore, there was a need to create such a public car.





The engine in the Zaporozhets is located at the rear not due to the unreasonable whim of the manufacturers. This configuration has its advantages. For example, the total weight of a rear-wheel drive car in such a situation becomes several times less, since parts necessary for the front propulsion system are missing, but are completely unnecessary in the rear. Due to this, the interior of the Cossack becomes more spacious.

In addition, the most successful sound insulation is ensured, since the engine compartment is located further from the passengers. True, for passers-by on the street, the sound of the engine will still be heard in all its glory... In general, such an arrangement, in addition to technical advantages, ensures low cost of the vehicle.

Are there any disadvantages to a rear-wheel drive car?

Of course, every cloud has a silver lining. Therefore, in addition to its advantages, the rear engine location also brings with it a number of rather significant disadvantages. The main disadvantage of the Cossack is that it is too agility.



Due to the fact that the center of gravity is shifted to the rear of the car, because the engine is located there, the car can skid even during the slightest turns. Therefore, you have to be as careful as possible so as not to go anywhere when turning or to avoid spinning on winter ice. And such examples, as we know from Soviet cinema, happened quite often...

Plus, similar maneuvers could happen during braking. Therefore, driving a Zaporozhian was relatively difficult, and it took a long time to get used to this difficult transport.

In addition, the rear engine location added problems for the fuel system. The location of the fuel tank in such conditions became more labor-intensive. But despite its unprepossessing appearance and lack of usual comfort, the Zaporozhets was still considered the most popular car in the Soviet period.