Moskvitch 2140
Encyclopedia
Moskvitch 2140 series is a small family car produced by the Soviet automotive maker AZLK
from 1976 to 1988. It started first as Moskvitch 2138 and Moskvitch 2140 with the modified 408
platform, designed and released for the Soviet market in late 1975. Starting 1981, the modification of the 412
export/luxury model was also designed and branded "2140 SL" inside the Eastern Bloc
countries and "1500 SL" outside. The most notable differences between both models were a redesigned dashboard
and front seat headrest
s in 2140.
Starting 1982, the 2138 were discontinued and 40 became the only Moskvitch on all of the markets. It was face-lifted the same year: the shield logo was changed to feature "АЗЛК" written in metallic outline, the grille coating switched from metal to plastic, and both side mirrors were slightly redesigned to be less heavy. The station wagon variant 2137 was the last of Soviet cars to still feature taillight fins to accommodate gate opening, until the model was discontinued in 1985.
Although originally designed and often referenced as "fourth generation", the series were in fact only an enhancement over the actual third generation of Moskvitch
es — the 408/412. The obvious fourth generation entered in production with the Aleko
starting 1986, when both series shared the line for over two years, until the 2140 was eventually discontinued in the July of 1988.
AZLK
AZLK was a Russian automobile factory , the maker of the Moskvitch brand....
from 1976 to 1988. It started first as Moskvitch 2138 and Moskvitch 2140 with the modified 408
Moskvitch 408
The Moskvitch-408 series is a small family car produced by the Soviet car manufacturer MZMA/AZLK between 1964 and 1976....
platform, designed and released for the Soviet market in late 1975. Starting 1981, the modification of the 412
Moskvitch 412
The Moskvitch 412 , also called 2140 in 1975 prior to discontinuation and 1500 SL outside USSR, is a small family car produced by Soviet manufacturer MZMA/AZLK from 1967 to 1976. It was also built as the Izh 412 by IZH in Izhevsk from 1967 to 1982 and replaced by the spun off Izh Comby series...
export/luxury model was also designed and branded "2140 SL" inside the Eastern Bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
countries and "1500 SL" outside. The most notable differences between both models were a redesigned dashboard
Dashboard
A dashboard is a control panel placed in front of the driver of an automobile, housing instrumentation and controls for operation of the vehicle....
and front seat headrest
Headrest
In an automobile, head restraints are attached or integrated into the top of the seats in each seating position to limit the rearward movement of an adult occupant's head relative to his torso in a crash, so as to reduce the danger of whiplash or other injury to the cervical vertebrae...
s in 2140.
Starting 1982, the 2138 were discontinued and 40 became the only Moskvitch on all of the markets. It was face-lifted the same year: the shield logo was changed to feature "АЗЛК" written in metallic outline, the grille coating switched from metal to plastic, and both side mirrors were slightly redesigned to be less heavy. The station wagon variant 2137 was the last of Soviet cars to still feature taillight fins to accommodate gate opening, until the model was discontinued in 1985.
Although originally designed and often referenced as "fourth generation", the series were in fact only an enhancement over the actual third generation of Moskvitch
Moskvitch
Moskvitch was an automobile brand from Russia produced by AZLK from 1945 to 1991 and by OAO Moskvitch from 1991 to 2002...
es — the 408/412. The obvious fourth generation entered in production with the Aleko
Aleko
The Moskvitch 2141, commonly referred to as simply Aleko , is a Russian small class, third group hatchback car that was first announced in 1985 and...
starting 1986, when both series shared the line for over two years, until the 2140 was eventually discontinued in the July of 1988.
Models and variants
- M-2140 (export name Moskvitch 1500): the original 4-door sedan model with standard engine UZAM-412 (75 hp). M-2140 was introduced in january 1976 and discontinued in july 1988.
- M-2138 (export name Moskvitch 1360): 4-door sedan model, similar to M-408 series with low-power engine MZMA-408 (50 hp) was introduced in january 1976 and discontinued in 1982.
- M-21381: version 4-door sedan with operational medical cars. Model M-21381, similar to medical version M-408M for the 408 series. M-21381 was introduced in 1976 and discontinued in 1981.
- M-21401: version 4-door sedan with operational medical cars. Model M-21401, similar to M-412M for the 412 series. M-21401 was introduced in 1976 and discontinued in 1988.
- M-21402 (export name Moskvitch 1500): the original 4-door sedan export model with right steering wheel. M-21402 was introduced in 1976 and discontinued in early 80-th.
- M-21406: version 4-door sedan for the countryside, with drum brakes all-wheel drive and towing lugs. M-21406 was introduced in 1979 and discontinued in 1987.
- M-21403: version 4-door sedan with hand controls for disabled. M-2140 was introduced in 1980 and discontinued in 1987.
- M-2140-117 (export name Moskvitch 1500SL): the luxury 4-door sedan model with plastic bumpers, new safety panel and headrests. M-2140SL was introduced in 1981 and discontinued in 1988.
- M-2140-121: version 4-door taxi. M-2140-121 equipped with a engine with low compression, a taximeter, a sign "Taxi" and a practical easy to clean upholstered seats, synthetic leather. M-2140-121 was introduced in 1982 and discontinued in 1987.
- M-2137: station wagonStation wagonA station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
model, similar to M-427 for the 412 series. First introduced in 1976 and discontinued in 1985, it was the last of family wagon Moskvitches with no practical successor (besides the Izh Comby hatchbackHatchbackA Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
). Station wagon model M-2136, similar to M-426 for the 408 series with low-power engine MZMA-408 (50 hp) was created in single copy in 1976 and was not made commercially. - M-2733/34: "closed body" delivery van variant, similar to M-433/34 for the 408/412 series for non-consumer purposes. Was introduced in 1976 and discontinued in 1981. Exclusive special versions uses included ambulanceAmbulanceAn ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
and hearseHearseA hearse is a funerary vehicle used to carry a coffin from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.-History:...
. - М-2315 (2140-80): pickup truckPickup truckA pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
commercial modification to the body pickup, gathering in small batches in the years 1984-1988. Based on flawed body sedan and station wagon.