The XXII Summer Olympic Games, which opened in Moscow on July 19, 1980, became one of the most ambitious and symbolic events in the history of the Soviet Union. Preparation for the competition affected almost all spheres of urban life, including transport. A unique fleet of vehicles was created to serve athletes, judges, guests and numerous services, which included both mass-produced models and rare, specially designed cars.
The Moscow Olympics is associated not only with traffic restrictions and blocked streets, but also with the appearance on the roads of the capital of cars that Soviet citizens rarely or never saw in ordinary life.
German accent: the most noticeable foreign car
One of the official partners of the 1980 Olympics was Mercedes-Benz. The contract between the German automaker and the Soviet side was signed back in 1978. Immediately before the start of the Games, the company from Stuttgart gratuitously transferred 15 cars to the USSR, and the remaining cars for the organizing committee were purchased for currency.
The most mass-produced "Mercedes" of the Olympics was the W123 sedan, including versions with an extended wheelbase. In total, about a thousand cars of this model were delivered to the competition, mainly with diesel engines. These cars were used as taxis for sports functionaries, official transport for the police and honorary escorts. After the Games, a significant part of the W123 was transferred to a special purpose garage or transferred to the disposal of high-ranking officials and cultural figures.
Volga as the keeper of the flame
The domestic auto industry also played a prominent role. Special GAZ-24s were used to accompany the Olympic flame. A total of eight sedans and two station wagons were prepared. The cars were equipped with flashing beacons, radio stations, and the cooling system was modernized by installing an enlarged radiator.
Special attention was paid to adjusting the accelerator pedal: it was made less sensitive so that the car could move at low speeds next to the running torchbearer. The technical equipment remained standard - a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 95 hp and a manual gearbox. It was on these cars that license plates of the OLM series with four digits and three letters first appeared, and the white and gold color emphasized their special status.
RAF - the main car of the Olympics
The most popular transport of the Games was the RAF-2203 minibus, produced by the Riga Bus Factory. Specifically for the Olympics, the company prepared several modifications of this model. In particular, five RAF-2907s were created for the Olympic flame relay, converted to transport spare torches and gas cylinders.
The interiors of these cars received a ventilation system, a sofa for relaxation, a table and even a refrigerator. They differed from standard "RAF" not only in equipment, but also in their characteristic white and gold color.
Pickups and trailers for sports
A modification of the RAF-2909 was developed for the technical support of cycling races, which was actually a pickup truck. The cargo platform was used to transport bicycle wheels, tools and spare bicycles, which were fixed with special retaining devices. The car also received a protective awning.
Another version of the RAF-2203, equipped with a specialized trailer, was used to transport rowing boats and kayaks.
Road trains of the Olympic Village
Passenger road trains RAF-3407-9225-9226 ran through the territory of the Olympic Village. Each consisted of a tractor and two trailers with plastic seats, designed to carry up to 20 people. The driver had a loudspeaker system for announcing stops. There were ten such road trains in total, and after the end of the Olympics, some of them continued to work at the Exhibition of Economic Achievements.
Electric cars for judges
The Riga plant created the RAF-2910 electric car to service competitions in race walking and marathon. It could travel up to 100 kilometers without recharging and developed a speed of up to 50 km/h. The batteries were located in the rear of the body and were replaced by a loader if necessary - stationary charging stations were not provided.
The electric bus featured two-way entrance doors, swivel chairs, tables and autonomous power supply for the judging equipment. In addition, the RAF-291 model was used, on the roof of which a scoreboard was installed to display the results of the competition.
The main buses of the Olympics
The main bus for transporting athletes was the LAZ-699R of Lviv production. The model, launched into series production in 1979, was considered one of the most modern and comfortable. The bus in green and white colors accommodated 41 passengers and was equipped with a 175 hp engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. These cars transported not only Olympians, but also spectators, as well as guests of the capital.
Another LAZ model - 5255 - was used as a mobile press center. For journalists, the cabin was equipped with swivel chairs, tables and televisions.
ZIL for equestrian sport
One of the most unusual cars of the Olympics was the ZIL-133G1 van, designed to transport horses. The car was an extended version of the ZIL-133 three-axle truck and was developed by the design bureau of the Shumerlin plant in Chuvashia.
A vehicle comparable in size to a bus could carry up to six horses. It was equipped with retractable ladders, a hay storage compartment above the cab, and sleeping quarters for the groom, veterinarian, and trainer. Under the hood was a 150 hp engine, providing a maximum speed of up to 80 km/h.
YerAZ and PAZ: Food and Television
YerAZ-37302 refrigerated vans were used to deliver food and beverages to the Olympic venues. A total of 10 such vehicles were assembled in Yerevan. They had a frame structure, a 95 hp engine, and a four-speed gearbox. The subsequent fate of these vehicles is not precisely known; according to one version, they later worked supplying central stores in Moscow. YerAZ itself was declared bankrupt in 2002.
Television coverage of the competitions was carried out, among other things, with the help of PAZ-3916 buses. Inside were video cameras, tape recorders, director's consoles, monitors, and sound recording equipment. Special attention was paid to sound insulation. The driver's cab was completely separated from the workspace, and more than 20 such mobile television stations were used at the Olympics.
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