The LiAZ-677 large-city bus stands as one of the most prominent designs in Soviet automotive history. Its production began in 1968, marking a milestone in mass transit for major urban centers. The project started years earlier, with the first prototype completed in 1962 and an experimental batch of 11 vehicles assembling in 1967, serving as a proving ground for the concepts that would shape a generation of city buses. This model was strikingly different not only from its predecessor, the ZIL-158 of 1957, whose production had moved to Likino-Dulovo in 1959, but also from contemporaries built in Lviv. LiAZ-677 could be compared with imported counterparts in several respects, and in certain areas it was not far behind them, reflecting a shift toward modern Western influences in design and engineering.
Body structure
Measuring a length of 10,450 millimeters with a wheelbase of 5,150 millimeters, the LiAZ-677 retained the familiar front-engined arrangement inherited from the ZIL-158. The engine sat beside the driver at the front, the radiator lay to the engine’s right, and the drive wheels were positioned behind. This layout balanced accessibility, weight distribution, and passenger space, while allowing for a sturdy, long-lasting shell suited to frequent urban routes.
Engine and transmission
The LiAZ-677 employed a transmission controlled by a steering-column selector. In addition to neutral, automatic mode, and reverse, the lever could be moved to a first-gear position for easier starting scenarios. A dedicated rocker switch enabled an automatic neutral position, mainly to conserve fuel when the accelerator was released. Engaging this switch would place the bus in a passive state, while a subsequent press would bring the vehicle back to normal operation, highlighting a practical approach to efficiency in heavy-traffic conditions.
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stylistics
In Europe during the 1960s, the German rear-engined Mercedes-Benz O321 held a revered position as a classic in the large-bus category. Yet by the end of the decade, its styling appeared dated against newer designs. The O321 had been in production since 1954 and continued until 1970, serving as a reference point for European bus aesthetics.
History with biography
LiAZ-677 from the late sixties embodies a fully modern urban bus: a light body, automatic transmission, and comfortable suspension that aimed to enhance daily commuter experience. The notable drawback was a sizable gasoline engine, which consumed fuel at a relatively high rate. In the USSR, where fuel was inexpensive, diesel options were not easily replaced, creating a practical compromise that influenced maintenance and operating costs on city routes.
The final LiAZ-677M variant, produced through 1996, represents a period when a high-floor design and a traditional, roomy interior began to feel outdated in the face of evolving urban bus standards. Budget-friendly LiAZ models were later overhauled or assembled from kits by smaller firms, including some powered by YaMZ-236 diesel engines, reflecting a broader, more modular approach to fleet modernization.
In total, the Likinsky plant produced 194,197 turnkey buses and car kits, a remarkable output that underscored the scale and impact of LiAZ manufacturing on Soviet urban transit.
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