The ZAZ-968 is rightfully considered one of the most recognizable symbols of the Soviet automotive industry. It didn't offer much in terms of comfort and reliability, but its price remained as affordable as possible, making it the only realistic option for a personal car for many citizens for years. It is no coincidence that the model remained on the assembly line until the mid-1990s. One of the most unusual episodes in its history was the release of a civilian version in a pickup body. Let's take a look at why such a car was needed at all and why it never became mass-produced.
From Factory Needs to a Serial Project
The idea of creating a pickup based on the "968th" did not arise suddenly. Its roots go back to the production needs of the factory itself. The company needed a compact truck to transport inventory and materials around the site, but there was no suitable model in the ZAZ lineup.
As a result, back in the 1970s, the factory began manually converting production sedans into pickups for internal needs. These cars received their own index — ZAZ-968AP. For a long time, they remained strictly factory transport and were not intended for sale.
The situation changed by 1990, when the company faced serious economic difficulties. In search of new sources of income, the management returned to old developments, and then it was decided to adapt the pickup for external orders.
Economics vs. Logic
From a production point of view, the idea looked rational. The assembly line was very outdated by that time, which resulted in a high percentage of rejected bodies. Each such "non-standard" meant direct losses. The pickup became a way to reduce them.
The process looked like this:
- the rear part of the roof was cut off from the rejected sedan body;
- a panel with glass was welded in its place;
- the second row of seats was removed;
- the freed-up space was turned into a cargo compartment;
- the trim was made of leatherette.
This is how the civilian pickup, known as the ZAZ-968MP, appeared.
Why the Pickup Was on the Verge of Reasonable
The love for pickups is usually explained simply: a spacious body and ease of loading. However, in the case of the "Zaporozhets", both of these advantages turned out to be very conditional.
Main design problems:
- Small cargo compartment volume. The space obtained by sawing off the roof was limited. Theoretically, a washing machine or a small refrigerator could fit there, but the car was still not suitable for building materials or heavy loads.
- Extremely inconvenient loading. The rear-engine layout was preserved, so access from the rear was blocked by the engine compartment. Things had to be loaded only through high side boards — there was no question of normal "rolling in", as with classic pickups.
- Poor corrosion protection. The cargo space had practically no anti-corrosion treatment. Moisture accumulated between the metal and the leatherette, and the low quality of steel led to the rapid appearance of rust in the first years of operation.
The Fate of the Model and an Unexpected Finale
The pickup based on the ZAZ-968 never gained high demand. The main buyers were municipal services and organizations that needed simple and cheap auxiliary transport. About 2,500 copies were produced in several years.
In 1994, the production of all modifications of the ZAZ-968 was finally completed. By that time, the car was hopelessly outdated: even the VAZ-2108 looked like a technological breakthrough against its background. At the same time, the assembly of pickups also ceased.
Nevertheless, some owners, without realizing it, made a successful investment. Today, the ZAZ-968MP in good condition is a rarity and a desirable exhibit for collectors. Given the small number of surviving cars, their value has every chance of growing over time.
The story of the pickup from "Zaporozhets" is an example of how production necessity and economic realities gave rise to an unusual car. It did not become mass-produced and convenient, but it managed to take its place in history and eventually turned into a real rarity.