The famous GAZ-66, widely known by nicknames such as shishiga, bump, or shishak, earned the state Quality Mark in 1969, marking a notable milestone for Soviet automotive production.
Throughout its service life, the vehicle gained a strong reputation for exceptional off-road performance.
On soft ground, the GAZ-66 could climb at an angle of 22 degrees, and on firm surfaces it demonstrated an impressive capability of overcoming 37 degrees.
The Gorky Automobile Plant manufactured the GAZ-66 for 35 years, from 1964 to 1999, with production totaling around one million units. The vehicle known as “Shishiga” was successfully exported to all nations of the former socialist bloc.
The model was produced in dozens of variants, including an audacious attempt to create a bus design intended for extreme, nuclear-risk scenarios.
Among the noted drawbacks were the gear lever location, situated just behind the driver, and cabin heat levels due to the engine arrangement. In military circles, cab-over designs were sometimes criticized for providing insufficient driver protection in combat conditions.
Mikhail Kolodochkin has long documented unusual facts from the history of technology. For example, few know why UAZ skis appear in technical lore.
Questions about this history are welcome in historical forums dedicated to technology and transport.
- Why was the GAZ-66 nicknamed Shishiga? Learn more about its origins and the nickname here.
- Behind the wheel can be explored in Odnoklassniki.
Photo: still from a YouTube video