The first Soviet passenger car with a pick-up body appeared in the UMMC military equipment museum. Created by employees of the design bureau of the Gorky Automobile Plant based on GAZ-A, the new car received the GAZ-4 index.

It is estimated that specialists, despite the "family ties" with the American Ford-A, this pickup can be called with full confidence precisely the Soviet model. The fact is that the factories of the corporation itself at that time produced only basic cars serially, and various modifications were made already in the body shops. The Soviet car was just a serial pickup truck with an integrated cargo platform. At the same time GAZ-4 had a carrying capacity of up to 400 kg or could carry up to 6 people, for which along the sides of the body were benches. The weight of the car was slightly more than 1.1 tons, a 4-cylinder engine with a capacity of 40 liters. could accelerate it to 90 km / h, the car had a power reserve of up to 215 km.

These cars were produced from 1932 to 1937. In total, they produced slightly more than 10,500 copies. Initially, pick-up trucks were actively used in various branches of the national economy for transportation of small brigades, as a repair or courier vehicle. The cars were also distributed in the army. GAZ-4 was used as a staff vehicle, communication machine, escort and even amphibious. It is this modification that is presented in the Museum of Military Equipment of UMMC. From the usual GAZ-4 this car was distinguished by the lack of a cabin and a windshield in the usual for us variants. This was due to the peculiarities of transportation of the landing vehicle.

The machine "flew" not inside the aircraft and did not descend with a parachute, as it is now, but it was attached by special devices to the lower part of the fuselage of the heavy bomber TB-3.

"The basis for this exhibit were the remains of a car found near Vyazma. Most likely, it was lost during the most difficult battles in the fall of 1941 in the so-called Vyazemsky Kettle. Parts of the car were delivered to the Urals, where for several years, it was gradually restored, "- said the director of the Museum of military equipment UMMC Alexander Emelyanov.