1956 GAZ 69

Lot details
Registration No: KFO 143
Chassis No: 102119
Mot Expiry: May 2012

Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (GAZ for short) grew out of a cooperative agreement with Ford, as far back as 1932. These days it is one of the largest of the Russian automotive manufacturers. It comprises eighteen plants in ten regions of the country and is the clear leader in its national commercial vehicle segment. The GAZ-69 was a four-wheel drive light truck produced by the company from 1953 until 1972. It had a pair of doors and was most commonly built with a canvas tilt. It served as the staple, light, off-road vehicle for the Soviet Army, replacing both the GAZ-67 and the American built Willys Jeep in that role. The model was powered by a 2.1-litre sidevalve engine of 55bhp mated to a three-speed manual gearbox. Its basic structure was also used as the foundation for the 2P26 tank destroyer and GAZ-46 MAV - a light 4x4 amphibious vehicle, the design of which closely resembled the WWII Ford GPA Seep.

The left-hand drive GAZ-69 being sold was reportedly manufactured in 1956. It features the regular canvas tilt and is finished in Army Green with a Brown leather interior, exactly as issued to the Soviet forces. Apparently it was restored some ten years ago and has been dry stored and retained in running order ever since. During that time it has been owned by an action vehicle film supplier and released for film work as required - its last on screen appearance was in the 'X Men' movie. The vendor considers the bodywork, paintwork and trim to be "original" and the engine, transmission and electrical equipment to be "good". 'KFO 143' is currently registering an unwarranted 53,000 kilometers and is MOT'd into May 2012. These chunky Russian jeeps make a fun alternative to the ubiquitous Willys one. And, as proven by the vendor, have a ready role in film and TV work, when not being displayed at some military event, or simply providing transport to the pub. It could also come into its own if the weather turns nasty again this winter!