THE POBEDA PASSENGER CAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80S01540R001200150006-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 26, 2012
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: May 22, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP80501540R001200150006-2
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP80501540R001200150006-2
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP80501540R001200150006-2
MOVEINtAr 19, 1932
RKSTRICTED/CONTROLUB OFFICIALS OhL
Impressions of the
THE MOTOR
RUSSIAN POBIEDA
EXCLUSIVELY a Russian car, the Pobieda is almost
unknown in Western Europe. Recently, however,
through the courtesy of the Belgian agents, the
writer has had the opportunity of driving-one of the first
of these cars ever to be imported into Belgium.
The Pobiecla shows a certain exterior resemblance to
the Standard Vanguard, and a striking feature is the very
high ground clearance, arranged no doubt to make pro-
gress possible over the notoriously bad Russian roads.
Apart from this somewhat British styling, American
influence predominates in the general design. The engine
is a four-cylinder side valve unit similar in some respects
to the Willys Jeep. With a bore of 82 mm and stroke of
100 mm, it develops 50 b.h.p. at 3,600 r.p.m. with a
compression ratio of 6.2 to 1. The Continental rating is
11 h.p. (15 h.p. R.A.C.). Both cylinder head and pistons
are of light alloy and oil circulates via a full-flow oil filter.
The starter button, located on the floorboards, is coupled
By I. A. S. Clarence
to the wcyand-wire filter element in such a way that each
time the starter is pressed the element is given a turn,
thereby cleaning it. Fuel is delivered from the 12-gallon
tank to the downdraught carburetter by a mechanically
operated pump and the carburetter itself, which is fitted
with an air cleaner of the oil bath type, is equipped with
a device permitting rapid adjustment of the main jet
settings.
The three-speed gearbox with ratios of 5.125, 8.22
and 14.45 to I has synchromesh on second and third
and is generally smooth in operation on the two upper
ratios. A change down from second to first, however, is
extremely difficult to achieve without most distressing
noises, even by double declutching. Acceleration through
the gears is mediocre, although it was not possible to push
the car to its limit because it was not fully run in. Maxi-
mum speed is said to be 73 m.p.h., a figure which seems
optimistic.
ACCESS to the s.v. four-cylinder engine is through a wide
alligator bonnet. Visible here are the coil and battery on the
scuttle, the carburetter and the oil-bath air-cleaner.
REST RICTED
CONTROL-US OFFICIALS ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP80501540R001200150006-2
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01: CIA-RDP80501540R001200150006-2
RESTRICTKVCON TROL-US OFFICIALS ONLY
THE MOTOR
Impressions of the Pobieda - Contd.
Pulling away in top from low speeds was definitely
sluggish giving the impression that the engine, which by
today's standards is excessively noisy through the speed
range, was not powerful enough for the size of the car.
The strongest point of the Pobieda appears to be its
roadworthiness. The suspension, independent front
by coil and wishbone and semi-elliptic gaitered at the
rear, is on the hard side, and well damped by double-
acting hydraulic shock absorbers: the writer felt that one
need have no fear of driving the Pobieda fast over bad
roads even when fully loaded. Taking a stretch of bad
pave at 50 m.p.h. had no effect upon the controllability
of the car and was scarcely felt by the passengers. Corner-
ing fairly sharply at 45 m.p.h. produced tyre howl and a
certain amount of heeling over but the car held accurately
to the desired course without any trace of under or over-
steer. The steering is light and low-geared, there is a
reasonable castor action and the steering gear operates on
the peg and spiral cam principle. An anti-roll bar is
fitted at the front.
Much is Electrical
The brakes are hydraulically operated and, as with the
headlamps, are adequate for normal driving. A 12-volt
electrical system is employed and the battery is readily
accessible; both the boot and the engine compartment are
fitted with lights and an additional socket is provided to
take the lead of an inspection lamp which is supplied in
the tool kit. The two-speed electrically driven screen
wipers are completely silent.
The interior of the car is upholstered in average-qp.ality
blue corded cloth and both front and rear bench-type
seats, which give adequate room for six people, are com-
fortable although not luxuriously so. The metal facia panel
carries a comprehensive range of instruments, viz, clock,
speedometer, petrol and oil gauge, ammeter and water
thermometer, all being mounted where they are clearly
visible to the driver. In addition, there is a glove locker,
a scuttle ventilator, a built-in heater working off the water
November 19, 1952
STAT
POBIEDA DATA
Engine
Cylinders: Four. Bore: 82 mm.; Stroke: 103 mm. Capacity:
2,110 c.c. Valves: Side. Compression ratio: 6.2 to 1. Power
(max.): 50 b.h.p. at 3,600 r.p.m. Oil filter: Full flow. Fuel
pump: Mechanical. Carburetter: One downdraught.
Transmission
Gear-box ratios: Top 5.125; Second: 8.22; First, 14.45.
Suspension:
Front: Independent, coil and wishbones; Rear: Semi-elliptic.
Shock-absorbers: Double-acting hydraulic.
Dimensions
Overall length: 15 ft. 4 ins.; width: 5 ft. 7 ins.; height; 5 ft.
4 ins.; Wheelbase: 8 ft. 10 ins.; Tyres: 600-16 (synthetic
rubber). Fuel capacity: 12 galls.
system, two sun visors, a cigarette lighter and space for
installing a radio. All four doors are fitted with elbow
rests but there are no pockets. Vision through the driving
mirror is distorted and blurred, an effect caused by the
angle of the curved rear window. The grey-green finish,
though not of the high-gloss type, is up to the standard of
lower-priced European cars and the general shape of the
body produces very little wind noise.
To sum up, one can say that the Pobieda is designed
primarily for reliability and long distance travel in
countries where roads are bad and servicing facilities few
and far between. Beauty of line and startling performance
have been sacrificed in the interests of practicability and
utilitarian purposes. For all that, however, attention to
detail has not been overlooked and the inclusion of
cigarette lighters, heating and other interior refinements
are evidence that such equipment is as much appreciated
in Russia as elsewhere.
Costing in Belgium 133,000 francs B. (?950) which
figure is inclusive of only 12 per cent. purchase tax, the
Pobieda certainly appears overpriced for Westem markets;
this notwithstanding it remains an interesting vehicle
bearing in mind the recent birth of the Russian automobile
industry.
RESEMBLANCE to the earlier Standard Vanguard is revealed in this head-on
view of the Pobieda. The right-hand picture shows the large luggage boot.
with the spare wheel mounted in a separate compartment under the boot
floor.
RES TRICIED/CCNTROL-US OFFICIALS ONJ "
Declassified in Part-Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/01 : CIA-RDP80501540R001200150006-2