RAF-977
title: "RAF-977" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1950s-cars", "1960s-cars", "1970s-cars", "riga-autobus-factory-vehicles", "vans", "minibuses", "ambulances", "cab-over-vehicles", "buses-of-the-soviet-union", "motor-vehicles-manufactured-in-latvia", "cars-introduced-in-1958"] topic_path: "arts/film" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF-977" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | RAF-977 |
| image | RAF-977 Latvija.jpg |
| caption | RAF-977 |
| manufacturer | Riga Autobus Factory |
| production | 1958-1976 |
| assembly | RAF Factory, Jelgava, Latvia |
| ErAZ Factory, Yerevan, Armenia | |
| body_style | 4-door, 10-passenger van/minibus/ambulance |
| related | GAZ-21 Volga |
| ErAZ-762 | |
| engine | 4-cylinder 2,445 cc 75 hp at 4000rpm |
| transmission | 3-speed manual |
| wheelbase | 2700 mm |
| length | 4900 mm |
| width | 1815 mm |
| height | 2110 mm |
| weight | 1675 kg |
| successor | RAF-2203 |
| :: |
|name = RAF-977 |image = RAF-977 Latvija.jpg |caption = RAF-977 |manufacturer = Riga Autobus Factory |production = 1958-1976 |assembly = RAF Factory, Jelgava, Latvia ErAZ Factory, Yerevan, Armenia |body_style = 4-door, 10-passenger van/minibus/ambulance |platform = |related = GAZ-21 Volga ErAZ-762 |layout = |engine = 4-cylinder 2,445 cc 75 hp at 4000rpm |transmission = 3-speed manual |wheelbase = 2700 mm |length = 4900 mm |width = 1815 mm |height = 2110 mm |weight = 1675 kg |successor = RAF-2203
The RAF-977 was a Soviet cabover van made by Riga Autobus Factory (RAF) based on components from the GAZ-21 Volga. It was introduced in 1958 and was manufactured in two main styles: a 10-seater minibus and an ambulance. In 1961, an updated version called the RAF-977D was put into production; this had a one-piece windshield, instead of the split, and Volga steering wheel among its other detail changes. Variants included the 977I ambulance and a special Intourist model, which had better seats, roof lights, and sunroof.
The RAF-983, based on the 977, was a fire department vehicle.
The shortened RAF-978, powered by the Moskvitch 407's 45 hp 1,360 cc engine, was not a success, in part because the engine lacked torque, and ride quality suffered due to the shortened wheelbase.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/РАФ-977ДМ_«Латвия»_на_II_Петербургском_параде_ретро-транспорта.jpg" caption="RAF-977DM]] In 1969, it was replaced by the improved '''RAF-977DM'''. This had a wider passenger door and fewer but longer side windows (three on driver's side and two on passenger's, rather than five and three before). The ambulance now had the same number of windows, rather than fewer; it was now the RAF-977IM, and the tourist variant was the RAF-977EM."] ::
A one-ton cargo panel van, the RAF-977K, This was nicknamed Yeraz (Armenian for "dream"). By 1973, ErAZ's production reached 6,500 per year; with the innovation of overhead carriage, capacity almost doubled, to 12,000 a year. The 977 was also produced under licence by Lugansk Avto Remontnyi Zavod (LARZ).
In 1969, an improved ErAZ-762A also appeared.
Production of the RAF-977 ceased in 1975, when it was replaced by RAF-2203 Latvia.
The RAF-977 was never promoted for export nor made available except to state groups.
References
References
- "Oldtimer picture gallery. Trucks. RAF-977.".
- Thompson, Andy. (2008). "Cars of the Soviet Union". Haynes Publishing.
- "The Armenia Blog: Armenia's Short-lived Car Industry".
- Thompson, p.198 caption.
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