One Off Quiz #32 - Finished

[carsntrucks4you]

 The 1950 REAF 50 is a small prototype saloon designed in the late 40’s by Soviet engineer Vsevolod Bakchivandzhi, whilst working at the Riga Experimental Automobile Factory (REAF). The project would be funded by the government to develop home built motor vehicles.

No suitable engine could be found so the engine from a GAZ-AA truck was modified by cutting it in half and making a two-cyl 1.1litre (30hp) engine with an automatic transmission.

Two prototypes were created a two-door saloon and a two-door convertible although it is possible the saloon initially had four doors?

The vehicles were particularly badly put together and were very agricultural, pitched to the military for use, but declined. Only the saloon survives and is in the RIGA Museum

 

The correct answer were sent in by 

Ace-Garageguy

thatz4u

otherunicorn

 

Congratulation

 

Edited April 9, 2023 by carsntrucks4you

[Ace-Garageguy]

PM'd   

[Bainford]

What the heck...?

[gbtr6]

Oh, my. Aluminium siding.

Perry

[thatz4u]

pm'd

[TarheelRick]

Not sure what it is but would not want to apply BMF to a model of it.

[carsntrucks4you]

here a hint.

The car was build in a country that is now independent and part of NATO. When the car was build this country was part the predecessor of biggest country of the world . 

Edited April 7, 2023 by carsntrucks4you

[peteski]

The amount of chrome trim on this vehicles puts even the "blingiest" American '50s cars to shame.  Wow!

[Ace-Garageguy]

These quizzes are great web-search skill builders.

As I explained to Michael, I'd never seen this one before...

"but as bizarre as it is, I figured it was either Soviet-era Russian, or from the American Budd company, that made corrugated stainless-steel-sided railroad passenger cars.

An image search of "Soviet prototype car" brought up a picture and a name, and a little more digging identified it as a REAF-50, built at the Riga Experimental Factory in 1950.

https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2022/01/in-rigas-museum-but-since-i-dont-read.html

https://philseed.com/riga-motor-museum-latvia/"

[peteski]

Yes, it did have that "Eastern European Bloc" flavor to me too, but the rectangular headlights had be puzzled.

Edited April 11, 2023 by peteski