REPRINT FROM ISSUE #2 1985
“CLASSIC CARS ON A BUDGET”, PART 1
RUSSIAN ROULETTE?
Is a PAZ 200 a viable alternative to a Mercedes 300SL or Bugatti Atlantic? Maybe not, but if your expectations are somewhat lower, you should probably keep reading this.
We’re sure that you have heard lately about classic car auctions where the bids on the nice examples of the legendary cars from days gone by have skyrocketed. That you have to empty your wallet to buy even the more common everyday favourites from the 40s and 50s today. That it’s time to buy the more sought after 60s cars NOW, before they are the next thing to rise.
So, should classic cars be a hobby just for the rich? At Trafikjournalen we don’t think so, classic cars are fun and everybody deserves to be able to afford one. So in an article series we are going to take a look at some of the more affordable alternatives, and first out is the PAZ 200 from the Soviet union.
Yes, we know, you use to laugh at cars from behind the iron curtain, and maybe you’re right. In hindsight, they have often failed to keep up with the competition, and ended up with having the price as their main sales argument. But was this always the case?
Looking at the chestnut brown 1952 PAZ 200 we have in front of us reveals a car that could as well have been a british or german car of the same vintage. Maybe even american too, if compact cars had been a thing over there back then. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to be fair, the PAZ ain’t going to win any beauty contests, but nor will its competitors. But it looks contemporary for 1952, and even if that is irrelevant for a vintage car buyer, it shows that PAZ weren’t that far behind western cars as one might think. You won’t find perfect panel gaps and the rust protection left much to be desired, but honestly speaking, that was pretty much standard for anything in its price class in 1952.
Under the bonnet, there is also something of a surprise. You won’t find chrome or glossy paint on the little powerplant, but there is more to it than meets the eye. Having overhead valves in 1952 was not bad when many engines still were flatheads, what’s more surprising is that it is also a bit oversquare which was odd for the era. One might think that would make the engine a rev happy unit, but that’s really not the case, the feeling is as agricultural as the myth says about Soviet engines, but once again, what to expect from a 33 year old car? Exactly as I remember from my youth (yes, I have owned almost any car brand by now, spare for the most exotic ones, and PAZ is no exception), the exhaust note is a bit annoying at 3000 RPM and for some reason gets easier on your ears when you are reaching 4000. Appearantly, there was nothing wrong with the engine in the PAZ I owned for some months in 1972 then, probably all of them are like this. 4000 RPM is also where this engine is reaching its peak, 61 hp, sort of a low power output for a 2 litre OHV even in the 50s, but probably the compression that is made for the regular fuel of the era that was almost like kerosene is to blame here, combined with a very tame camshaft. And nobody bought a PAZ because they were in a hurry either.
The transmission is a quite standard “three on the tree” for it’s era, with synchromesh on the two higher gears, could have been from almost any car from the era. The gearing is actually not annoyingly short either, which many cars had back then. But of course, we are spoiled with smoother and quieter stuff today.
Brakes in 1952 meant drums, and the PAZ brakes was adequate for the era, the speed and the roads the car was made for. In the hectical traffic of today they mean you have to plan your stops. But unlike many drum brakes, they pull straight and the fading problems are almost nonexistant.
The interior is the next pleasant surprise. Being used to soviet cars that is falling apart from the factory, the interior of the 200 seems impossible to break. In this 33 year old example, the springs in the seats hardly feel worn and you have to look before you find some tearing of the coarse, thick fabric upholstery. It is not the most spartan one either since it features a heater, a cigar lighter, dual sunvisors and a clock. But the beautiful “wood” on the dashboard and steering wheel is of course just woodgrain paint. Seatbelts was largely unheard of in its era, especially behind the curtain, but we notice that the interior is at least not featuring any unnecessarily sharp edges or produding knobs. There was no radio included in the price though, however, 50s russian radio meant AM band anyway, so it’s no big deal, you would have to mount an aftermarket unit anyway. What’s striking too is that it feels surprisingly roomy too, you get the impression that you are driving a bigger car than you are, even the luggage compartment are fair, even though one could imagine someting else with it’s short, stubby tail like a manx cat.
Driving one, however, is a trip back to the 50s. Wallowy suspension, heavy steering and squeaking tyres. It’s actually capable of doing 146 km/h, and due to the third gear being an overdrive, it is not revving like crazy at highway speeds either. But you will prefer to take it easy. High speed stability was not a priority when this car was built.
So what’s the verdict then? Mediocre. It’s about as mediocre 1952 as a car can get. But the fact is that you could say that about most of the competitors from western europe back then too. Getting a “better” car from the era means you have to aim for sports/luxury cars that comes with a quite hefty price tag in comparision. The 200 shows that PAZ once upon a time, despite the rumours, actually was on par with western cars. But with another price tag back then, and another price tag still.
People old enough to remember the 50s will start telling you the infamous PAZ jokes at the sight of this bobtail. Younger people, however, will ask you why your Volvo PV544 has four doors.
Anders Mannberg, owner of this 1952 PAZ, what made you go for this odd choice of a classic car?
- I realized that the market had gone overboard, and that you now have to pay completely unjustified price tags for even bread and butter 50s cars. A PAZ is still bread and butter, but for bread and butter price. It’s hard to beat the amount of car you get for your money.
But do you feel that it is accepted among the classic car crowd?
(Laughing!), well, there still is a lot of snobbery going on, east european cars aren’t worth scrap value, and so on. But I say dare to be different, and I feel that there is a change going on. While older people just sneeze at it, younger people think that it is cool and wonder what it is.
But aren’t Soviet build quality horrible? Are they reliable?
- I would say that the build quality is on par with other cheap cars from the era, some parts is better, some is worse, but all in all about average. Of course it requires constant maintenance and frequent repairs though, but then again, it’s an old car, over 30 years of wear on something that was about average to start with takes its toll. Even though they say “they don’t build them like they used to”, cars in general required much more maintenance back then.
So can you get parts then?
- That’s the big drawback. Not without contacts in Soviet. In Sweden parts support have been nonexistant for over 10 years. Sometimes you can modify parts from western cars to make them fit, it’s quite simple technology after all. Junkyards have absolutely nothing, but Norway and Finland are the sources to use when looking for used parts, Soviet cars were much more common there back in the days so you still can find some parts there.
What’s to look out for then when buying a PAZ 200?
- Buy the most complete car you can find. The unexisting parts support means that you are only fooling yourself if you buy an example with lots of parts missing to save money. And don’t fear some rust, they do like to rot but since they are body on frame, the rust is most often only cosmetic, and in the true 50s fashion, most panels are bolted on anyway.
So, would you recommend a PAZ 200 to a buyer looking for a cheap entry into the vintage car world?
- It depends. You have to be dedicated. If you feel that a PAZ 200 is not what you really want, buy something else, because ownership can be harsh sometimes, again due to the troubles with finding spare parts, and that it more or less needs constant fiddling with something. If a PAZ 200 can’t fulfill your expectations, that is going to drive you crazy sooner or later. But if you aren’t afraid of a little challenge, likes oddball stuff and can stand the salty comments you are going to get, then why not?
What happened to my own PAZ 200 then? After being hit from behind by a dump truck, the insurance company paid me money that wouldn’t have bought a danish and a cup of coffee, they weren’t worth more back then. I sold the somewhat crumpled up pea green behemoth to someone that was going to cut it up to an EPA-tractor. So maybe it is rolling around somewhere in Sweden right now, with a speed of 30 km/h and a triangle in the back. Or maybe it ended up half finished and went to the junkyard. Seeing one again gave me some pleasant memories back, and I sure can recommend you to try one if you are curious.
But out of all the cars I have owned, I don’t think that the PAZ is getting even close to being the one I regret the most that I sold…
Thanks to @Mad_Cat for the car!
