ZAZ-965 Zaporozhets model was made between 1960 and 1969. Design work started in 1956 at AZLK car plant, and first prototypes were designated as Moskvitch-444. The car was patterned upon the Fiat 600, with similar general composition, body, transmission, steering mechanism and rear suspension. Among main differences was air-cooled V-engine of indigenous design, bigger wheels and front suspension on torsion bars. One of reasons of choosing a rearwards-opening doors was easier access for disabled persons. In 1958 the Soviet government decided to start production of the car in reformed ZAZ factory, under a designation ZAZ-965. Further development of the car was carried out in ZAZ factory. The original ZAZ-965 differed from the ZAZ-965A. The turn signal light was moved from above of the head light to below, as seen in ZAZ-965A.
The engine was designed in Moscow’s NAMI institute and produced by MeMZ factory. A basic model ZAZ-965 was powered by a rear-mounted, aircooled 746 cc V4 engine. Power was 26 PS (19 kW).
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