RAF-977

RAF-977
ErAZ-762VGP, basing upon RAF-977
Overview
Manufacturer	Riga Autobus Factory
Production	1958-1976
Assembly	RAF Factory, Jelgava, Latvia ErAZ Factory, Yerevan, Armenia
Body and chassis
Body style	10-passenger minibus or ambulance
Related	GAZ-21 Volga ERAZ-762
Powertrain
Engine	4-cylinder 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS) at 4000rpm[1]
Transmission	3-speed manual[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106 in)[1]
Length	4,900 mm (193 in)[1]
Width	1,815 mm (71 in)[1]
Height	2,110 mm (83 in)[1]
Curb weight	1,675 kg (3,693 lb)[1]
Chronology
Successor	RAF-2203

The RAF-977 was a Soviet (now Latvian) van made by Riga Autobus Factory (RAF) based on components from the GAZ-21 Volga. It was introduced in 1958 and was manufactured in two main styles: a 10-seat minibus and an ambulance. In 1961, an updated version called the RAF-977D was put into production; this had a one-piece windshield, instead of the split, and Volga steering wheel among its other detail changes.^[2] Variants included the 977I ambulance and a special Intourist model, which had better seats, roof lights, and sunroof.^[3]

The RAF 983, based on the 977, was a fire department vehicle.^[4]

The shortened RAF 978, powered by the Moskvitch 407's 45 hp (34 kW; 46 PS) 1,360 cc (83 cu in) engine, was not a success, in part because the engine lacked torque, and ride quality suffered due to the shortened wheelbase.^[5]

In 1969,^[6] it was replaced by the improved RAF-677DM. This had a wider passenger door and fewer but longer side windows (three on driver's side and two on passenger's, rather than five and three before).^[7] The ambulance now had the same number of windows, rather than fewer; it was now the 977IM, and the tourist variant was the 977EM.^[8]

A one-ton cargo panel van, the RAF-977K,^[9] was also developed, but due to insufficient assembly capacity (only 3000 units a year)^[10] at the RAF plant (which still used trolleys, rather than a modern assembly line),^[11] its production started at the ErAZ factory in Yerevan, Armenia, 1 May 1966 as ErAZ-762.^[12][13] This was nicknamed Yeraz (Armenian for "dream").^[14] By 1973, ErAZ's production reached 6,500 per year; with the innovation of overhead carriage, capacity almost doubled, to 12,000 a year.^[15] The 977 was also produced under licence by Lugansk Avto Remontnyi Zavod (LARZ).^[16]

In 1969, an improved ErAZ 762A also appeared.^[17]

Production of the RAF 977 ceased in 1975, when it was replaced by RAF 2203 Latvia.^[18]

The 977 was never promoted for export nor made available except to state groups.^[19]

References

1. http://www.autogallery.org.ru/raf977.htm
2. Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p.192.
3. Thompson, p.192.
4. Thompson, p.192.
5. Thompson, p.192.
6. Thompson, p.192.
7. Thompson, pp.192-193.
8. Thompson, p.193.
9. Thompson, p.193.
10. Thompson, p.193.
11. Thompson, p.193.
12. http://www.thearmeniablog.com/2006/12/armenias-short-lived-carbus-industry.html
13. Thompson, p.193.
14. Thompson, p.193.
15. Thompson, p.193.
16. Thompson, p.194.
17. Thompson, p.193.
18. Thompson, p.195.
19. Thompson, p.198 caption.