GAZ M-20 B Pobeda 2.1 (52 Hp)


Overall Rating

6.9 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 2.5 / 5
Value 4.5 / 5
Performance 2.0 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

GAZ M-20:

The GAZ-M20 "Pobeda" is a passenger car produced in the Soviet Union by GAZ from 1946 until 1958. It was also licensed to the Polish Passenger Automobile Factory and produced there as the FSO Warszawa. Although usually known as the GAZ-M20, an original car's designation at that time was just M-20: M for "Molotovets".
The first sketches of similar-looking cars were completed by Valentin Brodsky in 1938 and by Vladimir Aryamov in 1940, which revealed a growing tendency towards streamlined car design in the Soviet Union. Aryamov's two-door coupe GAZ-11-80, designed in 1940, greatly resembled the later Pobeda and was in many ways identical to it. However, after the German invasion of 1941 military priorities delayed the work on the new car and the factory was switched to military production. The first Pobeda was developed in the Soviet Union under chief engineer Andrei A. Liphart. Originally intended to be called "Rodina" , the name "Pobeda" was a back-up, but was preferred by Joseph Stalin. "How much does the homeland cost?" - he asked. The name was also chosen because the works started in 1943 at Gorky Avto Zavod , when victory in World War II began to seem likely, and the car was to be a model for post-war times. The plant was later heavily bombarded, but work was unaffected. Styling was done by "the imaginative and talented Veniamin Samoilov"....(Read more on Wikipedia)

B Pobeda Overview:

GAZ M-20 (B Pobeda). With a weight of 1360 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. The top speed reaches 105 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. A car with a continuous slope from the roof to the rear, enhancing aerodynamics. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

2.1 (52 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

The 2.1L 52 Hp engine provided adequate, albeit modest, performance for its era, focusing on reliability and utility rather than speed. A top speed of 105 km/h was typical for a family car of the 1950s.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy was not a primary design focus, and the carburetted 2.1L engine would be considered inefficient by modern standards, though acceptable for its time and region.

Best Use Case: General purpose, reliable transportation for both city and inter-city travel on varied road conditions.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Robust and durable construction, built for challenging road conditions.
  • • Simple mechanicals, making it relatively easy to maintain and repair.
  • • Spacious interior for its class, accommodating 5 passengers.
  • • Distinctive and iconic fastback design, a symbol of post-war Soviet engineering.
  • • Good ground clearance for varied terrain.

Cons:

  • • Modest engine performance and acceleration by modern standards.
  • • High fuel consumption compared to contemporary vehicles.
  • • Lack of modern safety features and driver aids.
  • • Basic interior amenities and comfort features.
  • • Drum brakes all around offer limited stopping power.

Specifications:

General:
Brand:GAZ
Model:M-20
Generation:B Pobeda
Modification (Engine):2.1 (52 Hp)
Start of production:1955
End of production:1958
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan, Fastback
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:52 Hp @ 3600 rpm.
Power per litre:24.6 Hp/l
Engine displacement:2112
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:SOHC
Engine oil capacity:6 l
Coolant:10.5 l
Engine layout:Rear, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:82 mm mm
Piston Stroke:100 mm mm
Compression ratio:6.2:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Maximum speed:105 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:26.2 kg/Hp, 38.2 Hp/tonne
Space:
Kerb Weight:1360
Fuel tank capacity:55 l
Size:
Length:4665 mm mm
Width:1695 mm mm
Height:1640 mm mm
Wheelbase:2700 mm mm
Front track:1355 mm
Rear (Back) track:1362 mm
Ride height (ground clearance):200 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):12.6 m
Approach angle:27°
Departure angle:19°
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears3
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDrum
Rear brakesDrum
Steering typeCone worm with recirculation balls
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Front suspensionIndependent coil spring, Wishbone, Transverse stabilizer
Rear suspensionLeaf spring

Would you recommend the GAZ M-20 ? Tell us why or why not!