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The RAF-977 was a Soviet cabover van made by Riga Autobus Factory (RAF) based on components from the GAZ-21 Volga. It was introduced in 1958 and was manufactured in two main styles: a 10-seater minibus and an ambulance. In 1961, an updated version called the RAF-977D was put into production; this had a one-piece windshield, instead of the split, and Volga steering wheel among its other detail changes.[2] Variants included the 977I ambulance and a special Intourist model, which had better seats, roof lights, and sunroof.[2]

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RAF-977
RAF-977
Overview
Manufacturer	Riga Autobus Factory
Production	1958-1976
Assembly	RAF Factory, Jelgava, Latvia ErAZ Factory, Yerevan, Armenia
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door, 10-passenger van/minibus/ambulance
Related	GAZ-21 Volga ERAZ-762
Powertrain
Engine	4-cylinder 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS) at 4000rpm[1]
Transmission	3-speed manual[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106 in)[1]
Length	4,900 mm (193 in)[1]
Width	1,815 mm (71 in)[1]
Height	2,110 mm (83 in)[1]
Curb weight	1,675 kg (3,693 lb)[1]
Chronology
Successor	RAF-2203

The RAF-983, based on the 977, was a fire department vehicle.[2]

The shortened RAF-978, powered by the Moskvitch 407's 45 hp (34 kW; 46 PS) 1,360 cc (83 cu in) engine, was not a success, in part because the engine lacked torque, and ride quality suffered due to the shortened wheelbase.[2]

In 1969,[2] it was replaced by the improved RAF-977DM. This had a wider passenger door and fewer but longer side windows (three on driver's side and two on passenger's, rather than five and three before).[2] The ambulance now had the same number of windows, rather than fewer; it was now the 977IM, and the tourist variant was the 977EM.[2]

A one-ton cargo panel van, the RAF-977K,[2] was also developed, but due to insufficient assembly capacity (only 3000 units a year)[2] at the RAF plant (which still used trolleys, rather than a modern assembly line),[2] its production started at the ErAZ factory in Yerevan, Armenia, 1 May 1966 as ErAZ-762.[3][2] This was nicknamed Yeraz (Armenian for "dream").[2] By 1973, ErAZ's production reached 6,500 per year; with the innovation of overhead carriage, capacity almost doubled, to 12,000 a year.[2] The 977 was also produced under licence by Lugansk Avto Remontnyi Zavod (LARZ).[2]

In 1969, an improved ErAZ-762A also appeared.[2]

Production of the RAF-977 ceased in 1975, when it was replaced by RAF-2203 Latvia.[2]

The 977 was never promoted for export nor made available except to state groups.[4]

References

На других языках

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[de] RAF-977

Der RAF-977 (russisch РАФ-977), häufig, aber nicht in allen Varianten mit dem Beinamen „Latvija“ (russisch Латвия) bezeichnet, ist ein Kleinbus aus der sowjetischen Rigaer Autobusfabrik (RAF). Das Fahrzeug wurde von 1958 bis 1976 in Serie produziert, ihm voraus gingen zwei weniger erfolgreiche, ähnliche Modelle. Der Bus basiert technisch auf dem Personenwagen GAZ-M21 Wolga und nutzt von ihm Antrieb und Fahrwerk. Als die Produktion des GAZ-M21 im Jahr 1970 gestoppt wurde, begann die Entwicklung eines Nachfolgers. Bis 1976 wurden noch Fahrzeuge aus Restteilen montiert, danach die Produktion auf den RAF-2203 umgestellt. Der RAF-977 war, neben den Allradfahrzeugen UAZ-450 und UAZ-452, in der Sowjetunion der 1960er-Jahre der einzige in nennenswerten Stückzahlen gebaute Kleinbus und wurde nicht an Privatpersonen verkauft.

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- [en] RAF-977

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[fr] RAF-977

Le RAF-977 était un minibus produit de 1958 à 1976. Le véhicule a été produit en série par l'usine RAF. Il a finalement été remplacé par le fourgon plus moderne RAF-2203.

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[it] RAF-977

Il RAF-977 era un minibus prodotto dalla Rīgas Autobusu Fabrika dal 1958 al 1976, utilizzava la scocca del VW Transporter, ma utilizzava il telaio del GAZ-21 che era una copia del Ford Mainline, e utilizzava il motore della GAZ-69 e aveva alcuni componenti del telaio condivisi con l'UAZ-469. Il veicolo fu sostituito dal più moderno RAF-2203 nel 1976 ea quel tempo erano state prodotte e vendute circa 150 000 unità del veicolo.[1]

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[ru] РАФ-977

РАФ-977 «Латвия» — серия микроавтобусов, выпускавшихся Рижской автобусной фабрикой в 1959—1976 годах на агрегатах автомобиля ГАЗ-21 «Волга».

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