Moskvich-412 is a 4-door small-class sedan, which was produced at the Moscow plant of small cars in the period from 1967 to 1997 (at the Izhevsk Automobile Plant - until 2001).
This model is both Soviet and Russian, and the main feature is considered that during this long period it rolled off the assembly line together with its predecessor - the Moskvich-408 car. As a result, these “brothers” were ultimately united into Moskvich-2140/2138.
Moskvich-412 (early release)
Geschichte Moskwitsch-412
Ingenieure des Moskauer Automobilwerks haben beschlossen, den Moskwitsch-408 ein bisschen zu modernisieren und das Erste, was sie unternommen haben, war die Montierung des neuen Motors. Dadurch wurde das Auto sparsamer, kostengünstig, aber auch durchgängiger und sicherer, dass sogar mit vielen europäischen Produzenten konkurrieren konnte. Außerdem wurde das Bremsensystem durch die Installation des Hydrovakuumsverstärkers verbessert, das Niveau der passiven Sicherheit entsprach den Standarten der Eurokomission der UNO, das Aussehen wurde schöner und all das gab dem Wagen dench name ern Moskwits. Es herrscht die Meinung, dass Moskwitsch seinen Erfolg der mehrfachen Teilnahme an den Rallyes zu verdanken hat.
Moskvich-3-5-3. One of the first Moskvich variants of 1970, which was supposed to replace the 408th
But back to the end of the 60s. Since the 412 was essentially the same 408, but only with a more powerful engine, the body for both of them was made the same. But the engineers immediately noticed that the new power unit requires a wider radiator grill, so the body was additionally refined. It did not last very long, less than half a year later, a new "universal" body was created at the plant, which, although it was decorated in the old way, fit perfectly into both the new and the old Moskvich model. The engineers understood that the car required a newer and more modern look, but without changes to the overall structure of the body, roof and doorways. As a result, already in December 1969, the old and new Moskvich began to roll off the assembly line in a new design and with passive safety that meets international requirements. The cars have even been tested in France and awarded the appropriate certificate.
In addition to updated seat belts with fasteners, most of the elements in the cabin were covered with special soft materials, which significantly reduced the risk of serious injury in the event of an impact. By the way, thanks to such innovations, the letters "IE" appeared in the names of Muscovites, and this had a positive effect on competitiveness when exporting to other countries. Oddly enough, but it is Moskvich-412 that is famous for the fact that colossal efforts were invested in it to improve security. In particular, there was also an updated braking system, and in 1974 the bumpers got fangs.
Also, the front round headlights were changed to rectangular ones, the turn signals became triangular, and the lights were horizontal. Without breaking the proprietary "trick" of this family of cars - decorative fins - the radiator received a checkered grille, and the turn signals themselves shifted under the lights. By the way, since the end of 1969, the 412th also began to be produced in Izhevsk. There were also such variants of cars, in which the front sofa was replaced by 2 seats, there was a "handbrake" between them, the gearbox had a floor arrangement, and the safer steering column folded upon impact.
Moskvich-427
But the fact remained: even a modernized car has a big drawback, and this is again a body. The large gap between the ground and the floor, as well as narrow wheel tracks, made the Moskvich uncomfortable, in some situations difficult to control and unstable, and this was also aggravated by the rear suspension of the spring type. But many simply turned a blind eye to this, because even in comparison with the more expensive VAZs, the Moskvich-412 had a higher carrying capacity, was less whimsical and more tenacious, even with constant merciless exploitation in rural areas. The engineers' flaw was also the gearbox, which belonged to the 407th Moskvich and which did not differ in "long life" in comparison with a more modern and powerful engine. 1971 became a significant year for Moskvich. Firstly, the Moscow plant underwent a complete reconstruction, so the new production lines made it possible to double the number of cars produced. Secondly, the engineers of the Izhevsk plant modernized the interior of the car, installing a one-piece dashboard with a soft coating and completely changing the inner lining. These and some other minor modifications to the external design give reason to consider the Moskvich-412IE as a transitional model. But, despite numerous improvements throughout the 70s, it was still not possible to give life to a completely new model. This happened only a decade later, when Soviet specialists took the French Simca car as a basis and developed a modern Moskvich-2141 hatchback with front-wheel drive.
Features of Izhevsk "Muscovites"
There is an opinion (moreover, supported by visible evidence) that the Muscovites collected in Izhevsk are somewhat different and can boast of a higher quality than the Moscow ones. This is true, because not only was the car plant more modern and owned by a state defense enterprise, but its work was always supervised by Defense Minister Ustinov.
«Ижевский» салон, который считают немного хуже, нежели от АЗЛК
Москвич-412 от Ижевского завода, (поздний выпуск, 80-е)
Ранний «ижевский» Москвич-412 (вид сзади)
Early "Izhevsk" Moskvich-412 (front view)
Export Moskvich-412IE from the Izhevsk plant
Moskvich 412IE at the Izhevsk plant. Limited edition to commemorate half a million
Moskvich-412 for Finnish production with the name Elite 1500
