Moskvitch 412

Moskvitch-412/Izh-412
Overview
Manufacturer MZMA/AZLK
IZh
Also called Moskvitch 1500 SL (export version)
Production
  • 1967—1982 as "Moskvitch-412/427/434"
  • 1967—1997 as "Izh-412"
  • 1972—2001 as "Izh-2715"
Body and chassis
Class Compact car
Body style
Layout FR layout
Doors 4 (5 on the Kombi hatchback model)
Related Moskvitch 408
Powertrain
Engine 1478 cc UZAM-412 I4
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length 4,115 mm (162.0 in)
Width 1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Curb weight 1,045 kg (2,304 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Moskvitch 408
Successor


The Moskvitch 412 (Moskvich 412, M-412) was a small family car produced by Soviet/Russian manufacturer MZMA/AZLK from 1967 to 1976, then as the restyled and modified Izh-412 by IZh in Izhevsk from 1967 to 1997 and replaced by the spun off Izh-2125 Kombi series thereafter. It was a more powerful and prestigious version of the M-408 model, offering more features to the driver for a higher price.[2]

Design

The earliest engines for the M-412 were built in 1964.[3] The Moskvitch-412 had a slanted (to a tilt of 20 degrees) inline-four engine with a block, head, and inlet manifold cast in aluminium alloy in order not to increase the weight of the engine and a hemispherical combustion chamber.[4] Steel cylinder liners were replaceable to enable easy repair of the engine instead of having to replace it entirely. Since it was of an OHC design it was taller than the OHV MZMA-408 engine it replaced, which is why it was mounted at a slant. The UZAM-412 had a capacity of 1480 c.c. and developed 75 horsepowers. Its more powerful version, the Moskvitch-412-2V, had 100 h.p. and was installed on sports cars.[5] According to some observers, upon designing the 1,478 cc (90.2 cu in) UZAM-412 engine, Moskvitch engineers might have taken some inspiration from the contemporary BMW M 115 engine used in the BMW 1500 model, since both engines have some similarities,[6] although in other ways they are different from each other.[6][7] The gearbox inherited from the M-408 was improved, with the gearbox ratios being revised to make better use of the increased power output.[8]

In 1969, both the M-412 and the related M-408 had their body and taillights redesigned. These were notable for being the first Moskvitch models to feature square headlights and horizontal or vertical rear lights and triangular turn signals, which passed on to the 2138/2140 in 1976. Until then, the M-412 profited from heightened tailfins and tanned headlight lamps on export models. Another notable (but not unique, as it was used in other Russian cars at the time) feature were the so-called side signals, mounted on the C-pillars on some vehicles and similar to the American "opera lights". The car was upgraded with dual-circuit brake system, reinforced car-body structure, and passive safety features such as soft grip steering wheel cover, soft interior parts, seat belts, and padded dashboard. It was the first Moskvitch to pass safety features tests in France, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Sweden in 1970—71, and in Western Germany in 1972.[2]

The M-412 was launched in the United Kingdom in 1969, when the first 20 dealerships were set up and some 300 cars were sold; its sales increased annually and peaked in 1973, when some 14,500 cars were exported through a 268-dealer network. However, soon afterwards they was pushed off the British market by the fellow Soviet brand Lada, down to only 3462 sales in 1973 and 344 in 1975,[9] so that Moskvitch decided to withdraw from the United Kingdom.[10] SATRA's 1974 rebranding it the Moskvitch 1500 did not change anything.[9]

1975 Moskvitch 412IE (Elite)

SATRA Motors entered M-412s in the Group One Production Saloon Car Championship in 1972 and 1973, where it easily beat "sharp-handling but underpowered" Hillman Imps and Austin Minis.[11] It also placed 1-2-3 in the 1973 Avon Round Britain Rally[11] and scored a class win in the South Africa Safari Rally the same year.[12]

Trims and models

Moskvitch

Izh

Izh-412 (early model)
Izh-412 rear view

Relationship to the M-408

M-412 dashboard

The original M-412 of 1967-1969 had a chassis identical to that of the Moskvitch-408, which had been launched 3 years earlier in 1964. The only differences between the two models were the engines and the interior.

Here are the main differences between the Moskvitch-412 and the Moskvitch-408:

Moskvitch 412 Moskvitch 408
Production 1967–1976 1964–1976
Engine model 412 408
Chassis 408 (1967–1969); 412 (1969–1976) 408 (1964–1969); 412 (1969–1970)
Successor Moskvitch 2140 Moskvitch 2138

The differences between the 412/408 chassis:

1969 - 1975 1967 - 1969
Features Square headlights; horizontal rear lights; triangular rear turn signal markers; separated front seats; floor mounted gearshift lever (except for the 408 which had column-mounted shifter until 1973). 2 or 4 (twin) round headlights (Izh-412: 1967 - 1982); vertical rear lights; front bench seat (until 1968); column mounted gearshift lever (on the 408 until 1973, on the 412 until the fall of 1968).

Prototype variants

In 1970, Moskvitch built a prototype of the M-353, a restyled hatchback version of the M-412 that was larger but recognizably related. The M-355 of 1972 was larger still, with 23 cm (9.1 in) greater length, 14 cm (5.5 in) more wheelbase, and 8 cm (3.1 in) more width.[15] This made both the interior and the boot noticeably larger.[15] The M-355 was further developed into the M-356 between 1973–1975, with "much bolder front end styling", new suspension, and an enlarged 1,799 cc (109.8 cu in) version of the Moskvitch-DM with twin Zenith carburetors, giving 103 hp (77 kW; 104 PS), with a Borg-Warner transmission planned.[15] None were built.

Grilles

Modifications

References

  1. ↑ Moskvich - The Son of Moscow, www.ucapusa.com Retrieved 26 January 2014
  2. 1 2 (Russian) "The Moskvitch-412".
  3. ↑ Za Rulem magazine: the Moskvitch-412 (Russian)
  4. ↑ Braunschweig, Robert; et al., eds. (12 March 1970). "Automobil Revue '70" (in German and French) 65. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG: 413.
  5. ↑ (Russian) "The Moskvitch-4G, -4A, -4M".
  6. 1 2 Thompson, Andy (2008), Cars of the Soviet Union: The Definite History, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes, p. 149, ISBN 978 1 84425 483 5
  7. ↑ BMW BaltAuto (Russian)
  8. ↑ Za Rulem magazine: the Moskvitch-412 (Russian)
  9. 1 2 Thompson, p.162.
  10. ↑
  11. 1 2 Thompson, p.160.
  12. 1 2 Thompson, p.163.
  13. ↑ Thompson, p. 152.
  14. ↑ Thompson, p. 159.
  15. 1 2 3 Thompson, p. 164.
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