UAZ Bukhanka Sets a Cabin Capacity Record at Retrospective-2024
A historic moment unfolded at the interregional festival of retro technology, Retrospective-2024, when the UAZ model known as Bukhanka achieved a remarkable feat by accommodating 48 people inside its cabin. The event, reported by the Quto.ru portal, highlighted the vehicle’s surprising versatility and the enthusiasm of participants who were eager to push the limits of classic utility vehicles.
In 2024, the Bukhanka managed to seat 16 more passengers than in the previous year, underscoring the festival’s spirit of experimentation and collective memory. After all the passengers had entered, the doors were closed and the car began to move, marking a ceremonial moment that drew attention from attendees and media alike. The record stands as a memorable chapter in the ongoing conversation about how small, rugged workhorses can adapt to unconventional use cases when enthusiasts gather with shared purpose.
As a point of comparison, the portal also recalled a different milestone in 2010 when the iconic UAZ-469 SUV set a separate capacity record, with 31 people cramming into the vehicle. That earlier achievement involved students from a circus school, illustrating how the appeal of these machines crosses into broader cultural moments and school activities, not just industrial needs.
Beyond the festival excitement, there was news from the Ulyanovsk plant regarding production schedules. The plant temporarily paused car manufacturing for a corporate holiday, with operations paused from July 29 to August 4. Despite the pause, there was no expectation of a car shortage, and the company anticipated a smooth continuation of production after the break, reflecting typical periodic maintenance and workforce planning common in the automotive sector.
In the first half of the year, UAZ reported producing more than 19,200 vehicles and selling about 16,600 units on the Russian market. This represented a sales increase of roughly 23 percent compared with the same period in the prior year. Among the models, the SGR family, including loaf trucks and flatbed variants, accounted for roughly 6,700 units; Patriot SUVs contributed around 4,900 units, and Pro family cars added about 2,500 units. These figures illustrate UAZ’s varied product lineup and the continued demand for rugged, dependable vehicles in domestic markets.
Earlier in the year, there were reports in Italy about the sale of a rare UAZ model described as a “Loaf of bread,” a local nickname reflecting its distinctive shape or branding. Such international coverage underscores the curiosity and charm that classic UAZ designs continue to inspire among automotive enthusiasts around the world.
Industry observers note that events like Retrospective-2024 provide a rare window into the cultural role of utility vehicles beyond their intended function. The Bukhanka’s 48-seat demonstration, paired with the historical 31-seat record of the UAZ-469, suggests a lineage of endurance vehicles that remain relevant in both practical and celebratory contexts. This ongoing thread connects factory floors in Ulyanovsk with festivals, schools, and hobbyist communities that value durability, simplicity, and a hands-on approach to engineering and design. As production schedules evolve and market demand shifts, UAZ’s legacy continues to be shaped by how people choose to use its vehicles in creative, sometimes whimsical ways, while still preserving a sense of reliability that has defined the brand for decades. Attribution: Quto.ru reports on the festival record and related industry updates.