First, it’s worth understanding this: the GAZ-21 is not a toy, but a car that requires care, attention, investment, effort and time. And the financial costs of maintaining it are no less than the maintenance and servicing of a modern car. Yes, and there are different difficulties.

Often, motorists pay attention to the very difficult handling of the GAZ-21. This is a little incorrect. Yes, indeed, the process of driving a Volga is very different from driving other cars, as a rule, due to the unusual location of most controls. In addition, some of the car's controls are quite specific. Figure 1 shows the control panel of a completely authentic machine:

Fig. 1 - Instrument panel and controls of the GAZ-21 “Volga”

1. air flow adjustment knob;
2. control handle for the heating and ventilation system;
3. fan operating mode switch;
4. central light switch;
5. button for thermal fuse for lighting circuits;
6. parking brake (handbrake) warning lamp;
7. coolant temperature warning lamp;
8. ignition and starter switch;
9. windshield wiper switch;
10. radio;
11. control handle throttle valve(by suction);
12. ashtray;
13. clock head for moving hands;
14. cigarette lighter;
15. windshield washer pump handle;
16. warning lamp high beam;
17. ammeter;
18. fuel level indicator;
19. speedometer;
20. odometer (trip meter);
21. coolant temperature gauge;
22. oil pressure indicator in the lubrication system;
23. direction indicator warning lamp;
24. carburetor choke button;

The lever positions are shown in Fig. 2:

Fig. 2 - Lever positions of the standard GAZ-21 gearbox

As you can see, in fact, not everything is as complicated as some people describe. It just takes a little practice.

In general, the problematic nature of the GAZ-21 is somewhat far-fetched. Why? Let's look at the main complaints about the car, which are simply common myths:

Myth number 1: the steering wheel is tight

This may seem strange, but on new GAZ models, even the most modern ones (except for models with power steering), it is harder to turn the steering wheel than on a GAZ-21. Here it is necessary to take into account the considerable diameter of the steering wheel, careful calculation gear ratio steering gear and small wheelbase. All this does steering relatively easy. Of course, if you compare the Volga with the Kalina or any foreign car, their superiority is obvious. But we are talking about a full-size sedan, the length of which is about 5 meters, and which, in no case, does not pretend to be a ladies' car.

Myth number 2: the gear lever is located on the steering wheel and only three gears create inconvenience in driving

All Volgas, with rare exceptions, have a three-speed gearbox with a control lever on the steering shaft. However, the force applied to the gear shift mechanism (if it is working properly, of course) is minimal, and the driver's hands are always on the steering wheel. For most drivers, this is much more convenient than reaching for a lever on the floor.
As for the three gears, this number reduces the number of shifts and makes it easier to control. Reducing speed and accelerating can be done without changing gears, but using the excellent traction qualities of the engine. Servicing a four-speed gearbox with a gear shift lever on the floor is more difficult, more labor-intensive and, in case of failure, requires the purchase of expensive spare parts. While the “native” gearbox demonstrates amazing fault tolerance and durability.

Yes, we must not forget that such a gearbox is a kind of calling card of the GAZ-21, without which the car will immediately lose its unique style.

Myth number 3: car dynamics are simply terrible

Here you need to understand that dynamics are not the main advantage of any car that influences your choice. Yes, indeed, the GAZ-21 has certain problems with acceleration dynamics. But at the same time, the car is quite suitable for driving around the city in modern conditions. By the way, if we talk about the third series, then the Volga with a serviceable standard engine with a capacity of 75 hp. in terms of dynamics it approaches the classic VAZ models, surpassing the Oka and Niva.

Myth number 4: Ineffective braking system

GAZ-21, like all Volga cars produced before 1990, was equipped with a drum-type braking system. Of course, disc brakes are much more efficient, but taking into account the speeds developed by the GAZ-21, the efficiency of the standard brake system(in good condition) is quite acceptable. Moreover, if you install a vacuum brake booster from a GAZ-24 car, the efficiency of the brakes increases many times over.

Myth number 5: high fuel consumption

This is fundamentally incorrect - in fact, the GAZ-21 consumes no more gasoline than modern models GAS. In any case, with a working engine this is actually true. Average consumption Fuel when driving in city mode ranges from 12.5 to 15 liters per hundred kilometers. On the highway this figure is much lower - approximately 10.5 liters per hundred. Well, quite acceptable for such a large and heavy car.

But don’t think that there are no problems with the Volga at all. They exist, and you need to be prepared for it. Now let's talk about.

The controls for all Volga car models, except for the GAZ-21N and GAZ-22N (with right-hand controls), are the same. Steering wheel has a ring signal button.

The turn signal switch knob is located on the left side of the steering column. By moving the handle to top position a right turn is indicated, and the flashing light in the sidelight and rear light on the right side of the car comes on. A left turn is indicated by moving the handle to the down position, causing a flashing light to illuminate on the left side of the vehicle. When the turn signal is turned on, a flashing light on the right side of the instrument panel lights up. signal light. The turn indicators are turned off automatically when the vehicle exits a turn.

The gear shift lever is located on the steering column on the right side. By turning the lever counterclockwise, the second gear is engaged, and by turning it clockwise, the third direct gear is engaged. By moving the lever all the way towards you and then turning it clockwise, first gear is engaged. Reverse gear is activated by the same movement of the lever, but then turning it counterclockwise. When turned on reverse Additional lamps light up in the rear lights, illuminating the road behind the car.

The brake pedal, clutch pedal and throttle pedal are located in accordance with the generally accepted standard.

The hood lock drive handle is located under the instrument panel on the left side. To open the hood, the handle must be pulled towards you.

The handle for the internal ventilation hatch is located under the instrument panel, in the middle part. The hatch is opened by moving the handle away from you.

The foot switch button is located on the left side on the sloping part of the floor. By pressing the button, depending on the position of the central light switch button, you can switch from low beam to sidelights or from high beam to low beam. When the high beams are turned on, the instrument panel lights up indicator light.

The windshield sprayer pump button is located on the left side of the floor slope.

The parking brake handle is located under the instrument panel, to the left of the steering column. To brake the car, pull the handle all the way towards you. In this case, if the ignition is turned on, a red warning lamp lights up on the instrument panel. By turning the handle counterclockwise and moving it away from you, the brake is released. The warning light goes out.

The radiator flap drive handle is located on the left side under the instrument panel. When you move the handle all the way towards you, the doors close completely, when you move it all the way towards you, they open completely. To better regulate the cooling, there are several intermediate fixed positions of the handle, allowing for different degrees of opening of the radiator flaps.

The air supply handle and the body heating damper drive handle are located on the left side of the instrument panel. When the air supply handle is in the extreme left position “O”, the external ventilation hatch is open. Wherein outside air either directly goes to the body ventilation (if the internal hatch is open), or through the heater radiator it is supplied by a fan to heat the body and blow off the windshield (if the internal hatch is closed). When the air supply handle is in the extreme right position “3”, the external ventilation hatch is closed. When the body heating handle is in the right position, the damper is open. Warm air is supplied to heat the body and partially to blow the windshield. When the heating knob is in the left position, the damper is closed. Warm air flows only to the windshield.

The heating fan switch is located on the left side under the instrument panel. Has three positions: off; low air supply is on; Full air supply is on. When the fan is turned on, a warning light inside the switch handle lights up.

The central light switch is located to the left of the steering column. It has three positions: the button is fully retracted - off; the button is pulled out halfway - lighting for city driving: depending on the position of the foot light switch, the sidelights, taillights and license plate lighting or headlights (low beam) are turned on, rear light and license plate lighting; the button is fully extended - lighting for country driving: depending on the position of the foot light switch, the headlights (high beam), rear lights and license plate light or headlights (low beam), tail lights and license plate light are switched on. Turning the switch button turns on and adjusts the intensity of the lighting of the devices.

The thermal fuse button is located under the instrument panel on the left side of the steering column. The thermal fuse opens the vehicle lighting circuit in the event of a short circuit. After troubleshooting, the button must be pressed until it clicks.

The instrument cluster is located on the left side of the panel in front of the driver. The instrument cluster includes: speedometer with trip meter; ammeter; fuel level indicator. having a scale with 0 divisions; 0.5 and P, corresponding to an empty tank, half a tank and a full tank; a water temperature indicator, showing the temperature of the water in the cylinder head jacket, and an oil pressure indicator, which shows the oil pressure in the engine lubrication system in kg/cm2. On the instrument cluster there is a high beam warning light on the left and a turn signal light on the right. The handbrake and water temperature (green) indicator lamps (red) are located under the instrument cluster on either side of the steering column. The ignition and starter switch is located to the right of the steering column on the instrument panel. Has four key positions: middle position - off; first right position - ignition and radio circuit are on; second right position - the radio circuit is turned off, the ignition and starter are on; extreme left position - only the radio receiver circuit is turned on (for using the radio receiver when the engine is not running).

The windshield wiper switch is located under the instrument panel to the right of the steering column. It has three positions: off, slow speed and fast speed.

The carburetor choke button is located to the right of the ignition switch. By pulling the button, the air damper is partially or completely closed (“suction”). When you press the button, the flap opens.

There is a radio receiver in the middle part of the instrument panel. The radio receiver is controlled using knobs and buttons. The left handle is double: the smaller diameter is used to turn on the radio and adjust the volume, the larger diameter is used to adjust the tone, the right handle is used to tune the receiver to the desired station. Using the buttons, bands are switched, as well as fixed tuning to a given station. Buttons with the letter “D” include stations in the long-wave range, with the letter “C” - in the medium-wave range, and with the letter “U” - in the ultra-short-wave range.

The manual throttle control button is located to the left of the clock. When you pull the button, the flap opens, when you press it all the way, it closes.

The clock adjustment knob is located under the instrument panel against the clock. To move the hands, the head must be pressed up and turned to the desired position of the hands.

The ashtray is located under the clock. To use, pull it towards you; to clean it from debris, pull it out by pressing the spring inside the ashtray body. The cigarette lighter is located to the right of the clock.

To use the cigarette lighter, press the button and release your hand. The pushback of the button with a click indicates that the cigarette lighter coil is hot.

The problems remain, and the gas consumption, in principle, too. Although the latter is not that big. In front of the engine there is such a necessary winter time thing like blinds. Before warming up, close them, start them and wait until the engine warms up. The main thing is to open them later, otherwise it’s not far from boiling - the car was initially on the water.

Everything under the hood is original - the original fuel pump, filter with sump, and oil filter.
This engine is paired with a manual transmission with steering wheel shift. A special feature, in addition to the control method, is that there is no synchronizer for forward and reverse gears, so such a thing as double clutch release is not uncommon for this car. The operating algorithm is as follows: first gear – forward and down, second – away and up, third – away and down. Reverse gear - forward and up.

According to the variations, there was nothing here except these engines. Perhaps only in the first series, a small part of the cars were equipped with a lower valve engine from Pobeda. The gearbox was also always manual, but approximately 700 cars of the first series were produced with automatic transmissions. But they did not take root due to insufficient maintenance culture and lack of the necessary hypoid oil.
They were exported with imported Peugeot-Indenor, Perkins and Rover diesel engines with the same mechanical boxes. Or there were original gasoline ones, but with a capacity of 80-85 horsepower.

The catch-up versions of the GAZ 23 were just as few in number - these Volgas had a five and a half liter V-shaped 8-cylinder engine from the Chaika under the hood with a three-speed automatic transmission. For camouflage, the controls were also on the steering wheel, but there was also a small sign with the speed position. Many people are now tinkering with 21 Volgas, installing 4.2-liter Gas engines in them coupled with a four-speed manual from the 24. By the way, stories about a stove in the trunk. These “catch-ups” had special listening equipment there. Slabs and boxes of sand were used on other models of these special vehicles.

The Volga is one of those cars that you can easily take photos of the bottom and suspension parts without any difficulty.

Front here independent suspension on springs, the steering has long been equipped with an archaic kingpin and the absence of an amplifier. Until 1960, a centralized suspension lubrication system was used, but it was extremely complex and left stains on the asphalt. You have to lubricate it quite often. Especially 21 points, a pendulum, is something. It’s quite nice that there is such a thing as a stabilizer at the front lateral stability. It was in the third series that telescopic shock absorbers appeared on the car, instead of archaic lever ones. At the rear there is a split bridge on longitudinal springs with telescopic shock absorbers. The disadvantage of this bridge is that after separating the stockings, assembly is quite difficult, especially to expose the contact patch. All-round drum brakes, no pedal assist. Parking brake on the transmission, like the Pobeda, GAZ 69 and all previous cars. This means the cardan drive is blocked. But there is also a drawback here - if the car has one wheel on a normal surface and the other on a wet or slippery one and goes uphill, it can roll.

The location of the Volga car controls is shown in Fig. 15.

Handle 2 of the turn signal switch is located on the steering column on the left side. When the turn indicators are turned on, a flashing indicator light on the right side of the instrument panel lights up. The direction indicators turn off automatically when the vehicle exits a turn.

The brake pedal 10, the clutch pedal 11 and the throttle pedal 9 are located in accordance with the generally accepted standard. Volga cars have automatic transmission There is no clutch pedal.

The hood lock drive handle 15 is located under the instrument panel on the left side;

On some cars it is on the right side. To open the hood, the handle must be pulled towards you.

Handle 8 of the internal ventilation hatch is located under the instrument panel in the middle part. By moving the handle away from you, the hatch opens, and unheated outside air enters the body. By moving the handle towards you, the hatch closes.

Button 13 of the foot light switch is located on the left side, on the inclined part of the floor. By pressing the button, depending on the position of the handle of the central light switch, a transition is made from low beam to sidelights or from high beam to low beam and back.

Button 12 for the windshield washer pump is located on the left, under the instrument panel. To wash, turn on the windshield wiper and press the button.

The parking brake handle 16 is located under the instrument panel, to the left of the steering column. To brake the car, the handle must be pulled towards you. If the ignition is turned on, the red warning light on the instrument panel lights up. By turning the handle counterclockwise and moving it away from you, the brake is released. At the same time, the control lamp goes out.

Handle 14 for driving the radiator shutters is located to the left of the parking brake handle, under the instrument panel. When you move the handle towards you, the doors close. When moving away from you, they open. To better regulate the cooling, there are several intermediate fixed positions of the handle, allowing for a certain opening of the radiator flaps.

Handle 1 (Fig. 16) for air supply and handle 2 for the heating damper are located on the left side of the instrument panel. Left extreme position O of handle 1 - the external ventilation hatch is open. The right extreme position of the air supply handle 3 - the external ventilation hatch is closed.

In the right position O of the heating handle 2, the heater damper is open and warm air flows to heat the body and partially to blow the windshield. In left position 3, the damper is closed and warm air flows only to the windshield blower.

Switch 3 of the heating fan motor has three positions: off, low air supply on, full air supply on. When the electric motor is turned on, a light inside the switch handle lights up.

The central light switch 4 has three positions: 1st - off (the handle is fully retracted); 2nd - city lighting (the handle is extended to half), while depending on the position of the foot light switch, the sidelights or low beam headlights are turned on; 3rd - suburban lighting (the button is fully extended), while depending on the position of the foot light switch, low or high beam headlights are turned on. By turning the switch handle, the instrument lighting is turned on and its intensity is adjusted.

Button 5 for the thermal lighting fuse is located under the instrument panel on the left side of the steering column. The thermal fuse turns off the vehicle lighting in the event of a short circuit. After troubleshooting, the button must be pressed until it clicks.

The instrument cluster consists of a speedometer 19 with a total distance meter 20, an ammeter 17, a gasoline level indicator 18, a water temperature indicator 21 and an oil pressure indicator 22. To the left of the instruments is the high beam indicator light 16, and to the right is the turn indicator light 23.

Indicator lamps: red 6 handbrake, lights up when tightened handbrake, and green 7 water temperature, which lights up when the water temperature in the upper radiator tank rises to 92-98°C, are located under the instrument cluster on both sides of the steering column. Both lamps can only light up when the ignition is switched on.

The ignition and starter switch 8 has four key positions: middle - off, first right - ignition and radio are on, second right - radio is off, ignition and starter are on, far left - only the radio is on.

The windshield wiper switch 9 has three positions: off, slow speed and fast speed.

The carburetor choke button 24 is located to the right of the ignition switch. By pulling the button, the air damper (choke) is partially or completely closed. When you press the button, the flap opens.

The radio with knobs and control buttons is located in the middle part of the instrument panel.

Above the windshield in the middle part (Fig. 15) there is a handle for installing the antenna 5. To bring the antenna into working condition, pull the handle towards you, turn it to the left, pull the antenna out by hand through the side window and set it to the upper position.

Button 11 (Fig. 16) for manual control of the carburetor throttle valve is located to the left of the clock. When you pull the button, the flap opens, when you press it all the way, it closes.

Ashtray 12 is located under the clock. To use it you need to pull it towards you. To clean the ashtray from debris, you need to pull it out by pressing the spring inside its body.

Head 13 for moving the clock hands is located under the instrument panel counterclockwise. To move the hands, the head must be pressed up and turned to the desired position of the hands. Cigarette lighter 14 is located to the right of the clock.

The location of the Volga car controls is shown in Figure 1.

Steering wheel 3 is located on the left side. It has a ring button for signal 2. The turn signal switch 1 is located on the steering column on the left side. By moving the handle to the upper position, a right turn is indicated, and the flashing light in the sidelight and rear light on the right side of the car comes on. A left turn is indicated by moving the handle to the down position, causing a flashing light to illuminate on the left side of the vehicle. When the turn signal is turned on, a flashing warning light on the right side of the instrument panel lights up. The turn indicators are switched off automatically when the vehicle exits a turn.

Gear shift lever 4 is located on the steering column on the right side.

By turning the lever counterclockwise, the second gear is engaged, and by turning it clockwise, the third direct gear is engaged. By moving the lever all the way towards you and then turning it clockwise, first gear is engaged.

Reverse gear is activated by the same movement of the lever, but then turning it counterclockwise (Fig. 2). When reverse gear is engaged, additional lighting comes on in the rear light.

Moving the lever along the axis of the steering column does not change (neutral position).

The brake pedal 7, clutch pedal 8 and throttle pedal 6 are located in accordance with generally accepted standards.

The hood lock drive handle is located under the instrument panel on the right side (not shown in the figure). To open the hood, the handle must be pulled towards you.

The handle for the internal ventilation hatch 5 is located under the instrument panel in the middle part. Outside air enters the body through the heater radiator. By moving the handle towards you, the hatch is closed.

The central lubrication pump pedal 10 is located on the front panel to the left of the clutch pedal. To lubricate the chassis, press the pedal all the way down three times.

The foot light switch button 9 is located on the left side on the sloping part of the floor.

By pressing the button, depending on the position of the central light switch button, you can switch from low beam to sidelights or from high beam to low beam.

The parking brake handle 11 is located under the instrument panel, to the left of the steering column. To brake the car, pull the handle all the way towards you. In this case, if the ignition is turned on, a red warning lamp lights up on the instrument panel. By turning the handle counterclockwise and moving it away from you, the brake is released. The warning light goes out.

The radiator shutter drive handle 12 is located on the left side of the handbrake handle, under the instrument panel. When you move the handle all the way towards you, the doors close completely, when you move the handle all the way towards you, they open completely. To better regulate the cooling, there are several intermediate fixed positions of the handle, allowing for different degrees of opening of the radiator flaps.

Figure 3 shows the location of control buttons and instruments.

The air inlet handle 1 and the body heating damper drive handle 2 are located on the left side of the instrument panel. The leftmost position of the air inlet handle 1 is O-outer ventilation hatch is open. In this case, outside air is either supplied to the body ventilation (if the internal hatch is open), or through the heater radiator is supplied by a fan to heat the body and blow the windshield (if the internal hatch is closed).

The right extreme position of the air supply handle. The external ventilation hatch is closed.

In the right position O of handle 2 of the body heating, the damper is open. Warm air is supplied to heat the body and partially to blow the windshield. When the heating knob is in the left position 3, the damper is closed.

Warm air flows only to the windshield.

The heating fan switch 3 is located on the left side under the instrument panel. Has three positions: off; low air supply is on; Full air supply is on. When the fan is turned on, a warning light inside the switch handle lights up.

The central light switch 4 is located to the left of the steering column. Has three positions:

1. Off (button fully retracted).

2. Lighting for city driving (the button is extended halfway). Depending on the position of the foot switch, the sidelights, rear lights and license plate lights or headlights (low beam), rear lights and license plate lights are switched on.

3. Lighting for country driving (the button is fully extended). Depending on the position of the foot switch, the headlights (high beam), rear lights and license plate light or headlights (low beam), tail lights and license plate light are switched on. Turning the switch button turns on and adjusts the intensity of the lighting of the devices.

Thermal fuse button 5 is located under the instrument panel on the left side of the steering column. The thermal fuse opens the vehicle lighting circuit in the event of a short circuit. After troubleshooting, the button must be pressed until it clicks.

The instrument cluster 19 consists of a speedometer 20 with a total distance meter, an ammeter 17 indicating the current strength, charging battery(the arrow deviates to the right towards the + sign) or discharging it (the arrow deviates to the left towards the - sign), gasoline level indicator 18, having a scale with divisions of 0.05 and P, corresponding to an empty tank, half the tank and full tank capacity, water temperature indicator 21 , showing the temperature of the water in the jacket of the cylinder head, and the oil pressure indicator 22, which shows the oil pressure in the engine lubrication system in kg/cm2.

To the left of the instruments is the high beam signal light 16, and to the right is the turn signal light 23.

Indicator lamp: red 6 handbrake (lights up when the handbrake is applied) and green 7 water temperature (lights up when the water temperature in the upper radiator tank rises to 92-98°C) - located under the instrument cluster on both sides of the steering column.

The ignition and starter switch 8 is located to the right of the steering column on the instrument panel. Has four key positions:

Middle position - on.

The first right position - the ignition and radio circuit are on.

The second right position - the radio circuit is turned off, the ignition and starter are on.

Extreme left position - only the radio receiver circuit is turned on (for using the radio receiver when the engine is not running).

The windshield wiper switch 9 is located under the instrument panel to the right of the steering column. It has three positions: off, slow speed and fast speed.

The carburetor choke button 10 is located to the right of the ignition switch. By pulling the button, the air damper is partially or completely closed (suction). When you press the button, the flap opens.

Radio control knobs and buttons 11 are located in the middle part of the instrument panel. The left outer handle is used to turn on the receiver and adjust the volume, the left inner handle is used to adjust the tone.

The right outer handle is used to adjust the receiver. The button with the letter D is for turning on long-wave stations, the button with the letter C is for the mid-wave range.

The manual throttle control button 12 is located to the left of the clock. When the button is pulled out, the flap opens; when pressed all the way, it closes.

The head for moving the clock hands 14 is located under the instrument panel counterclockwise. To move the hands, the head must be pressed up and turned to the desired position of the hands.

Ashtray 13 is located under the clock. To use, pull it out towards you. To clear debris, pull it out by pressing the spring inside the ashtray body.

Cigarette lighter 15 is located to the right of the clock. To use the cigarette lighter, press the button and release your hand. The release of the button back with a click indicates that the cigarette lighter coil is hot and it can be used.