Moskvitch 408
Encyclopedia
The Moskvitch-408 series is a small family car produced by the Soviet
car manufacturer MZMA/AZLK
between 1964 and 1976.
M-408, the first of the series, replaced the second generation Moskvitch 407 as the main production model starting 1964. First marketed body styles of the main version were: 4-door saloon (base), 5-door estate
(the model M-426, an upgrade of second generation M-423 and 424), and 3-door panel van
(the M-433, an upgrade of the second generation 432 delivery pick-up).
In 1967, the 408 models were facelifted with a different grille and logo design, also featured on the co-produced Moskvitch 412
model. Both cars shared similar exterior design, with a slightly modified interior and new engine for the M-412. In 1969, after a complete revamp of the body design occurred, the company introduced new taillights, fin
and somewhat thicker interior dashboards. Later on, the same model plus engine improvements would be known as the M-2138/40
.
The Izh-408 was a duplicate version of the car made by IZH
in Izhevsk
from 1966 to 1967. It was then replaced in production by M-412.
The car was sold in France
as the Moskvitch Elite 1300, as the Moskvitsh Elite in Finland
and as the Moskvich Carat in Norway
. It was powered by 1.3 litre / 1358 cc straight-4 petrol engine
, producing 50 hp. "More worth than its price", was its slogan for export sales.
In 1976, alongside M-412, the series were succeeded by the third generation 2140 series.
The first series of cars were produced between 1964 and 1969 in Moscow
. These cars had vertical rear lights, two or four round headlights
, a front bench seat, and a 4-speed manual transmission
with column mounted gear lever. The length of the standard model was 4090 mm (161 in).
The second series was produced between 1969 and 1976 in Moscow. It had the same engine and transmission as its predecessor, but a new body — longer (at 4250 mm) and fitted with rectangular headlights and horizontal rear lights, with triangular turn signal markers mounted on tail fins. Also it had separated bucket seats and the transmission used a floor-mounted gear lever.
During 1966—67, the car was also produced by the IZH military factory in the city of Izhevsk
, carrying the IZH-Moskvitch-408 name — though usually called simply "Izh". This car was a direct clone of the MZMA Moskvitch-408, except for the badges. It was replaced in production with the Izh-412, a copy of M-412, starting 1967 and up to 1976.
The interior featured a stylish trapezoidal instrument cluster, column-mounted gear shift lever (until 1973), effective heater and had a then-common practical artificial leather
(vinyl) upholstery (colour-coded).
straight-four, producing 50 hp at 4750 rpm (60.5 SAE hp)). After 1967, the assembly of the engines was done by UZAM in Ufa
. One 2-barrel down-draft carburettor was used. The car was initially equipped with self-adjusting manual drum brakes, then from 1969 - power brakes with a hydrovacuum servo and a split circuit braking system.
This Moskvitch was the first Soviet-built car to have deliberate safety equipment (since 1969): crumple zones, a safety steering wheel, soft interior parts, seat belts, a padded dashboard
, and a split circuit braking system. This, however, was not sufficient to pass the European safety test as compared to Western market brands also sold in Europe in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The only third generation Moskvitch to ever pass the safety test was the M-412, first in 1971.
countries, despite being reproached an off-design look (corresponding to the late 1950s Western brands and thus considered somewhat "outdated") and many safety-related issues by European engineers. These issues were resolved upon the exporting of M-412 starting 1968. Inside USSR, M-408/412 was the second best selling Moskvitch for the whole 1970 decade, bested only by its successor, the 2140.
identical to that of the 408 of 1964. M-412 also featured safety improvements which allowed the model to pass the European safety test, as obligated during export sales. Inside USSR, however, these features were not overlooked.
The 1969–76 M-408 and M-412 also had identical bodies, and the M-412 received the same changes as the M-408 did in 1969. Again, the only differences were the engines (1300 and 1500). This can make identification difficult since there are no external differences between the two cars.
Also, in 1967 the "IZH-Moskvitch-412" came into production. For 1967, this car was a twin of the Moskvitch-412, built (like the IZH-Moskvitch-408 corresponding model) by the IZH military factory in Izhevsk. The Izh-412 were produced there between 1967 and 1976. Starting 1971, a spin-off series called "Izh Comby" were developed in Izhevsk and independently exported to Moscow and the rest of USSR. They featured a 5-door hatchback and a windowed 3-door "trip car" (based on the panel van) that were not included in the original lineup.
Exported cars (with an -E suffix, i.e. Moskvitch-408E) usually had high-compression engines, additional chromed trim and four round headlights instead of two (until the 1969 change to rectangular lights).
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
car manufacturer MZMA/AZLK
AZLK
AZLK was a Russian automobile factory , the maker of the Moskvitch brand....
between 1964 and 1976.
M-408, the first of the series, replaced the second generation Moskvitch 407 as the main production model starting 1964. First marketed body styles of the main version were: 4-door saloon (base), 5-door estate
Station wagon
A 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...
(the model M-426, an upgrade of second generation M-423 and 424), and 3-door panel van
Panel van
A panel van is a form of solid van, smaller than a lorry or truck, without rear side windows...
(the M-433, an upgrade of the second generation 432 delivery pick-up).
In 1967, the 408 models were facelifted with a different grille and logo design, also featured on the co-produced Moskvitch 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...
model. Both cars shared similar exterior design, with a slightly modified interior and new engine for the M-412. In 1969, after a complete revamp of the body design occurred, the company introduced new taillights, fin
Tailfin
The tailfin era of automobile styling encompassed the 1950s and 1960s, peaking between 1957 and 1960. It was a style that spread worldwide, as car designers picked up styling trends from the US automobile industry where it was the golden epoch of American autodesign.General Motors design chief...
and somewhat thicker interior dashboards. Later on, the same model plus engine improvements would be known as the M-2138/40
Moskvitch 2140
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...
.
The Izh-408 was a duplicate version of the car made by IZH
Izh
Izh may refer to one of the following.*Izh River , Udmurt Republic, Russia*Izh motorcycles from IzhMoto*izh, ISO 639-3 code for the Ingrian language...
in Izhevsk
Izhevsk
Izhevsk is the capital city of the Udmurt Republic, Russia, situated on the Izh River in the Western Urals. Population: From 1984 to 1987 Izhevsk carried the name Ustinov |Minister of Defense of the USSR]], Marshal of the Soviet Union, Dmitry Ustinov). The city is an important industrial center,...
from 1966 to 1967. It was then replaced in production by M-412.
The car was sold in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
as the Moskvitch Elite 1300, as the Moskvitsh Elite in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and as the Moskvich Carat in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. It was powered by 1.3 litre / 1358 cc straight-4 petrol engine
Petrol engine
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels....
, producing 50 hp. "More worth than its price", was its slogan for export sales.
In 1976, alongside M-412, the series were succeeded by the third generation 2140 series.
Production series
There were two distinct series of the M-408, which both used the same name.The first series of cars were produced between 1964 and 1969 in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. These cars had vertical rear lights, two or four round headlights
Automotive lighting
The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted or integrated to the front, sides, rear, and in some cases the top of the motor vehicle...
, a front bench seat, and a 4-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
with column mounted gear lever. The length of the standard model was 4090 mm (161 in).
The second series was produced between 1969 and 1976 in Moscow. It had the same engine and transmission as its predecessor, but a new body — longer (at 4250 mm) and fitted with rectangular headlights and horizontal rear lights, with triangular turn signal markers mounted on tail fins. Also it had separated bucket seats and the transmission used a floor-mounted gear lever.
During 1966—67, the car was also produced by the IZH military factory in the city of Izhevsk
Izhevsk
Izhevsk is the capital city of the Udmurt Republic, Russia, situated on the Izh River in the Western Urals. Population: From 1984 to 1987 Izhevsk carried the name Ustinov |Minister of Defense of the USSR]], Marshal of the Soviet Union, Dmitry Ustinov). The city is an important industrial center,...
, carrying the IZH-Moskvitch-408 name — though usually called simply "Izh". This car was a direct clone of the MZMA Moskvitch-408, except for the badges. It was replaced in production with the Izh-412, a copy of M-412, starting 1967 and up to 1976.
Appearance and interior
The car had quite modern features for 1964: squared-off body with flat roof panel and sharp tail fins, panoramic rear window and semi-panoramic windshield. Deluxe versions had then-fashionable quad headlights and (some series) two-tone paint.The interior featured a stylish trapezoidal instrument cluster, column-mounted gear shift lever (until 1973), effective heater and had a then-common practical artificial leather
Artificial leather
Artificial leather is a fabric or finish intended to substitute for leather in fields such as upholstery, clothing and fabrics, and other uses where a leather-like finish is required but the actual material is cost-prohibitive or unsuitable....
(vinyl) upholstery (colour-coded).
Technical details
The M-408 was a conventional rear-wheel drive economy car powered by a 1358 cc OHVOverhead valve
An overhead valve engine, also informally called pushrod engine or I-head engine, is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft within the cylinder block , and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder...
straight-four, producing 50 hp at 4750 rpm (60.5 SAE hp)). After 1967, the assembly of the engines was done by UZAM in Ufa
Ufa
-Demographics:Nationally, dominated by Russian , Bashkirs and Tatars . In addition, numerous are Ukrainians , Chuvash , Mari , Belarusians , Mordovians , Armenian , Germans , Jews , Azeris .-Government and administration:Local...
. One 2-barrel down-draft carburettor was used. The car was initially equipped with self-adjusting manual drum brakes, then from 1969 - power brakes with a hydrovacuum servo and a split circuit braking system.
This Moskvitch was the first Soviet-built car to have deliberate safety equipment (since 1969): crumple zones, a safety steering wheel, soft interior parts, seat belts, a padded 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 a split circuit braking system. This, however, was not sufficient to pass the European safety test as compared to Western market brands also sold in Europe in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The only third generation Moskvitch to ever pass the safety test was the M-412, first in 1971.
Sales
The car sold well in both USSR and other Eastern BlocEastern 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, despite being reproached an off-design look (corresponding to the late 1950s Western brands and thus considered somewhat "outdated") and many safety-related issues by European engineers. These issues were resolved upon the exporting of M-412 starting 1968. Inside USSR, M-408/412 was the second best selling Moskvitch for the whole 1970 decade, bested only by its successor, the 2140.
Differences with M-412/Izh-412/Comby
The Moskvitch-412 was not the successor to the M-408 — the M-412 was based on M-408, but the cars were produced at the same time. The M-412 was a more upmarket version, powered by a 1500 cc, 75 hp OHC slant-four engine. Introduced in 1967, the original Moskvitch 412 of 1967–69 had a chassisChassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
identical to that of the 408 of 1964. M-412 also featured safety improvements which allowed the model to pass the European safety test, as obligated during export sales. Inside USSR, however, these features were not overlooked.
The 1969–76 M-408 and M-412 also had identical bodies, and the M-412 received the same changes as the M-408 did in 1969. Again, the only differences were the engines (1300 and 1500). This can make identification difficult since there are no external differences between the two cars.
Also, in 1967 the "IZH-Moskvitch-412" came into production. For 1967, this car was a twin of the Moskvitch-412, built (like the IZH-Moskvitch-408 corresponding model) by the IZH military factory in Izhevsk. The Izh-412 were produced there between 1967 and 1976. Starting 1971, a spin-off series called "Izh Comby" were developed in Izhevsk and independently exported to Moscow and the rest of USSR. They featured a 5-door hatchback and a windowed 3-door "trip car" (based on the panel van) that were not included in the original lineup.
Models
- M-408: 4-door saloon
- M-426: 5-door estate
- M-433: 3-door van
- M-408 Tourist: experimental 2+2 2-door convertibleConvertibleA convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
(with removable hard top), 2 examples built in 1964; fitted with aluminium body and electronically controlled fuel injection system.
Exported cars (with an -E suffix, i.e. Moskvitch-408E) usually had high-compression engines, additional chromed trim and four round headlights instead of two (until the 1969 change to rectangular lights).