RAF-977

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]

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]

RAF-977DM

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

1. "Oldtimer picture gallery. Trucks. RAF-977". Autogallery.org.ru.
2. Thompson, Andy (2008). Cars of the Soviet Union. Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing. pp. 192–194.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2009-09-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. Thompson, p.198 caption.