The Kiev Motor Plant was engaged in the development of light and inexpensive trucks. They were equipped with motorcycle engines, and the cabin was made of fiberglass.
The Kiev Motorcycle Factory is known for its two-wheeled and tracked vehicles, but not everyone knows that they also try to manufacture cars here. In the 50s and 60s, several light trucks were created there at once. Auto24 writes about it.
Trucks of the Kiev Motor Plant began to be designed in the late 50s. The first prototype of the KMZ-1 appeared in 1959. The spinal frame received a double fiberglass cabin and a trunk designed for 500 kg of cargo.
26 hp boxer two-cylinder engine. With. borrowed from a K-750 motorcycle and placed in the back of the cabin. This model also became the donor of the gearbox, but a reverse gear was added to it. The maximum speed was 60 km / h.
In 1960, a more advanced KMZ-3 with a front engine appeared. For this, part of the units was borrowed from the “humpback” ZAZ-965. The engine remained the same, but the maximum speed reached 80 km / h.
In total, three KMZ-3s were produced, and a year later they were created on the basis of the KMZ-4 minibus. In addition, in 1962, an army version of the KMZ-5 appeared with an open cabin without doors and a folding canvas roof.
KMZ cars did not go into the series. None of the prototypes has survived to this day.
Previously Focus He talked about the rotary engine motorcycles of the Kiev factory.
We also wrote about a little-known ZAZ truck with a front engine.
Source: Focus
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