M-407
With the new M-407-series 45 hp 1358 cc overhead valve engine, in 1958, the M-402 became the Moskvitch-407.[6] A four-speed transmission with synchromesh appeared in December 1959, in place of the three-speed.[7]
Also, there was a more powerful version of 407, delivering 67 hp, that could reach up to 145 km/h, reaching 100 km/h in about 19 seconds. This model was only for the soviet Police and KGB, not for sales to public. These performances were about the same with the M-412, launched about 8 years later. Some were sold to public when withdrawn from regular Police service.
The M-407 was offered as an estate (407-423N), delivery (407-430), medical team model (407B), and taxi (407T).[5] The delivery simply had the rear windows of the estate not cut out and the rear doors welded shut; it was only available to official groups.[5]
A M-407 came third in class at the 1000 Lakes Rally in 1957.[5]
Like the M-402, there were four-wheel drive M-407s, too, beginning with the M-407-410N in June 1958 and the M-407-411N estate in August.[7] At first, these had the three-speed, changing to the four-speed in 1960.[7] A total of 11,890 four-wheel drive 402s and 407s were built by the end of production in January 1961,[7] a result of Moskvitch being unable to keep up with demand for its mainstream M-407s.[8]
In 1961, the M-407 was further upgraded with an even more powerful M-407D1-D2 engine (allowing to handle the fourth speed on a manual transmission), self-adjusting brake cylinders and hydraulic clutch drive, improved front suspension for easier driving,[9] and a completely restructured dashboard. This model, manufactured as the Moskvitch 403, served as a transition between the second and the third generation Moskvitches, debuting in 1964, with the mechanical components of the Moskvitch 408 (which had not yet appeared) and the body of the M-402.[10] The M-403E and M-403IE were intended for export.[10] In 1963, an estate variant, the 424, appeared (with the 424E the export model).[10] The M-403 lasted only until July 1965, with 133,523 cars built (50,612 for export).[10]
The M-402 was discontinued by August 1959, with the M-407 production ending in October 1963 (with 359,980 built, 120,903 for export).[9]
The M-407 was the first Soviet automotive export to be truly successful in the West.[8] Up to half of all M-407 production was exported for a number of years, mainly to the Eastern Bloc countries, Norway, Finland, and France.[8] In parts of Western Europe, it was rebranded the Elite, to avoid conflict with Peugeot, which had trademarked names with middle "0"s.[8] A large number of the cars sold in Western Europe were assembled by Sobimpex (known as Scaldia from 1965) in Seneffe, Belgium. Owned by a Romanian-born Belgian, Joseph Beherman, Scaldia was the first to assemble Soviet automobiles within the EEC.[11] To keep up with Western standards of speed and fuel economy, Beherman also offered a Perkins 4.99 diesel engine of 1.6 litre and 43 hp, which was only slightly slower than the petrol-engined model but considerably more economical. The cars received Belgian tires, while Deluxe models were fitted with European-made interiors and chrome brightwork. Test production began in 1962, with full series production commencing in March 1964.[11]
The Moskvitch-402 and 407 could be considered as the first step in Soviet and Russian automotive history towards producing customer-adapted trim levels for various uses. While the M-407 provided greater driving comfort at bigger expenses, other trim levels included the M-407-424 station wagon available for the general public, M-431 delivery pick-up/ambulance van and even the 410/411 attempt of creating an SUV-based sedan/station wagon.
