Luaz 967, The Weird Soviet Amphibious Vehicle That Sunk In Water

LuAZ was a vehicle manufacturer in Lutsk, Ukraine, formerly part of the USSR. Several odd automobiles were created, most of which were small and light but quite good off-roaders, and were generally powered by ZAZ engines.

However, there were a few bigger 3-axle amphibious vehicles among them, as well as a model designed to be a more compact type of amphibious vehicle using the more conventional 4-wheel formula. Despite the modifications made, the automobile could only float for so long before the water would seep into the hull and the vehicle would sink.

It used a ZAZ engine, but it was mounted in the front, practically hermetically sealed, and the air was cooled by a complex of sophisticated ducts on the bonnet. The steering wheel was in the middle, the pedals were far apart, forcing you to drive with your feet apart, and the gearbox crank was in the middle.

The vehicle had all-wheel-drive and lockable differentials, and weighed around 900 kg, although the ZAZ engine only produced 28 hp initially, increasing to 40 hp in subsequent years. A Russian YouTuber wants to put such a Luaz to the test today, as well as its amphibious potential. Water steadily made its way through all potential orifices, forcing the automobile to be rescued quickly to prevent sinking to the bottom of the lake.