Makes › GAZ › 23 Volga (V8 'dogonyalka') · Rare specification · 1962–1970 Very Rare
GAZ
23 Volga (V8 'dogonyalka')
GAZ-21 body with Chaika V8 and automatic for the KGB; 603 built
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 603 Built
- Years
- 1962–1970
- Engine
- Front-mounted V8 (GAZ-13 Chaika unit) · 5,500 cc / 5.5 LFactory: 5.5 L
- Power
- 143 kW / 195 PSFactory: 195 PS
- Top speed
- 170 km/hFactory: 170 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The GAZ-23 was a pursuit Volga for the Soviet security services: an ordinary-looking GAZ-21 body hiding the Chaika's 5.5-litre V8 and an automatic gearbox. Only 603 were built, making it one of the rarest and most secretive Soviet production cars.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package productionbuilt 1962–1970 | 6031 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
GAZ was tasked in 1959, when the GAZ-13 Chaika entered production, with creating a Volga for the special services. The result used the Chaika V8 and three-speed automatic in the GAZ-21 shell, with a taller final drive, a larger fuel tank and ballast in the boot for traction, while brakes stayed standard unassisted drums. Between 1962 and 1970 just 603 were made.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 23 Volga (V8 'dogonyalka').
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted V8 (GAZ-13 Chaika unit)2 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 5,500 cc / 5.5 LFactory: 5.5 L2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 143 kW / 195 PSFactory: 195 PS2 Independently researchedSource states л.с. (metric horsepower, PS). |
| Power at | 4,400 rpm2 Independently researched |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Three-speed automatic2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Final drive | 3.382 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,860 kgFactory: 1,860 kg2 Independently researched |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 170 km/hFactory: 170 km/h2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | 80 LFactory: 80 L2 Independently researched |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Outwardly identical to a normal GAZ-21, so identification relies on details: a V8 mounted very close to the body with both exhaust manifolds merged into a single pipe, a 3.38 final drive (4.55 on the GAZ-21), an 80-litre tank, only two pedals with a gear-position indicator above the steering column, two blocks of toggle switches under the dashboard for lighting combinations, a boot-release lever between rear seat back and cushion, a 120 kg ballast plate in the boot, and a different front panel.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
- 1
-
2
Мощь, масса и… – главные тайны автомобилей КГБ Level B Сергей Канунников · За рулем (Za Rulem)
- Двигатель рабочим объемом 5,5 л развивал 195 л.с.
- Двигатель рабочим объемом 5,5 л
- развивал 195 л.с. при 4400 об/мин
- 195 л.с. при 4400 об/мин
- работал в паре с трехступенчатым автоматом
- (paraphrase) final drive 3.38 versus 4.55 on the GAZ-21
- снаряженная масса ГАЗ-23 составляла 1860 кг
- разгонялся до максимальной скорости 170 км/ч
- (paraphrase) fuel tank 80 litres instead of 60
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