The LuAZ-967 (') was the Transporter of the Front Line''', a small Soviet four-wheel drive amphibious vehicle. Light enough to be air transportable, it had a 400 kg payload over most terrain.
History
The design originated after the Korean War, when the Soviets saw a need for small off-road vehicles comparable to the American Jeep, to supplement the overly-large and -heavy GAZ-69s then in service. It was to be used by Soviet Airborne Forces (VDV) for casualty evacuation, munition supply and the transport of light armaments.
Developed at NAMI (the National Automobile Institute), the prototype, known as NAMI 049, was completed in 1958. Unlike the Jeep, it had a Fibreglass body, four-wheel torsion bar independent suspension, and permanent four-wheel drive with locking hubs. It had a wheelbase of 1,800 mm, a ground clearance of 280 mm, and was powered by a 22 hp MD-65 motorcycle engine (copied from an Orbita motorcycle). Trials proved it underpowered, and the body too fragile.
A second prototype, the NAMI 049A, had a 746 cc V4 MeMZ-965 engine (selected for use in the ZAZ-965), steel body, and rear wheel drive (with optional drive to the front wheels).