Moskvitch 408

Moskvitch-408/Izh-408

Overview
Manufacturer	MZMA (1964-1967) AZLK (1967-1976) IZh (1966-1967)
Also called	Elite/Elite 1300 (Europe) Carat (Norway) Scaldia 1300/1600 Diesel (Belgium)
Production	1964—1976 as Moskvich 1966—1967 as Izh
Assembly	Moscow, Russia (Moskvich/AZLK) Izhevsk, Russia (IZh) Brussels, Belgium (Scaldia-Volga)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate 3-door panel van
Layout	FR layout
Related	Moskvitch 412
Powertrain
Engine	1357 cc MZMA-408 I4 1760 cc Perkins 4.108 diesel I4
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length	4,090 mm (161.0 in)
Width	1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Curb weight	945 kg (2,083 lb) (1964-1969) 1,045 kg (2,304 lb) (1969-1976)
Chronology
Predecessor	Moskvitch 402/403/407
Successor	Moskvitch 412

The Moskvitch-408 (also referred to as the Moskvich-408, and M-408) series is a small family car produced by the Soviet car manufacturer MZMA/AZLK between 1964 and 1975. The first prototype was made in 1960.

The M-408, the first of the series, replaced the second generation Moskvitch 407 as the main production model; it had a longer wheelbase than the 407. Design work started in 1959, and the first prototype appeared in March 1961. The first production 408 was built 1 August 1964, and the 408 was given its official debut on October 21. First marketed body styles of the main version were a four-door saloon (base), five-door estate (the model M-426, an upgrade of second generation M-423 and M-424), and a three-door sedan delivery (the M-433, an upgrade of the second generation M-432 delivery pick-up).

The Izh-408 was a duplicate version of the car made by IZh in Izhevsk from 1966 to 1967. It was then replaced in production by the M-412.

In 1976, alongside the M-412, the series were succeeded by the third generation M-2140 series.

There were two distinct series of the M-408, which both used the same name. On 20 August 1966, Moskvitch produced its 100,000th M-408.

The first series of cars were produced between 1964 and 1969 in Moscow. These automobiles had vertical rear lights, two or four round headlights, a front bench seat, and a 4-speed manual transmission with column mounted gear lever. The length of the standard model was 4,090 mm (161.0 in).

The second series was produced between 1969 and 1976. It had the same engine and transmission as its predecessor, but an updated body fitted with rectangular headlights and horizontal rear lights, with triangular turn signal markers mounted on tailfins. Also it had separated bucket seats and the transmission used a floor-mounted gear lever.

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Wikipedia