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Trucks - Russia / USSR: books - history and models

A book on trucks? Explore here illustrated books on the history and models of trucks from Russia and the USSR.

Russlands schwere Hauber - Ural, KrAZ & Co. - Die großen Lkw der UdSSR

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The history of the Soviet truck industry began with licensed designs from Italy and the United States but gained momentum only after World War II.
Like in many regions, conventional trucks with long hoods dominated the appearance of Soviet heavy vehicles, as they were seen as more suitable for long distances and rough terrain. In contrast, cab-over-engine trucks became standard in the West from the 1970s onward.

The political changes of the early 1990s ended the Soviet Union but not the popularity of hooded trucks in Eastern Europe. These vehicles remained common in the region's truck manufacturing well into the 2000s.
This illustrated book by Frank Rönicke focuses on Soviet heavy-duty hooded trucks, especially those used by the East German NVA. It covers key manufacturers such as Ural, KrAZ, ZIS, ZIL, MAZ, and BelAZ.

Pages of the book Russlands schwere Hauber (1)

Product details

Author:Frank Rönicke
Details:144 pages, 28.5 x 21.5 x 1.6 cm / 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.63 in, hardback
Illustrations:220 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2024)
ISBN:9783613046900
Cover book Russlands schwere Hauber - Ural, KrAZ & Co. - Die großen Lkw der UdSSR

Russlands schwere Hauber - Ural, KrAZ & Co. - Die großen Lkw der UdSSR

Language: German

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Frontlenker aus Russland - GAZ, MAZ und Co.

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This illustrated book focuses on cab-over-engine trucks from ZIS, ZIL, MAZ, BelAZ, GAZ, and others, which the former Soviet Union used in its efforts to compete on the global market. It includes vehicles produced not only in Russia, but also in the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Belarus.

The variety of types, models, and series was vast - reflecting the size of the country itself - and full documentation is scarce. Despite this, Frank Rönicke succeeds in bringing order to the complex history of Soviet cab-over-engine truck development. The book presents the most important models with clear text and rare images.

Pages of the book Frontlenker aus Russland - GAZ, MAZ und Co. (1)

Product details

Author:Frank Rönicke
Details:128 pages, 29 x 21.5 x 1.4 cm / 11.4 x 8.5 x 0.55 in, hardback
Illustrations:220 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2025)
ISBN:9783613047600
Cover book Frontlenker aus Russland - GAZ, MAZ und Co.

Frontlenker aus Russland - GAZ, MAZ und Co.

Language: German

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Lastwagen & Busse Osteuropas

This book is dedicated to the trucks and buses of Eastern Europe, with the focus on the economic area of the former Eastern Bloc with the CMEA states (Bulgaria, CSSR, GDR, Poland, Romania, Soviet Union and Hungary) as well as Yugoslavia.
Michael Dünnebier gained first-hand information through personal impressions during numerous visits to Eastern European manufacturing plants, at trade fairs and exhibitions, and through discussions with company employees.

Pages of the book Lastwagen & Busse Osteuropas (1)

The focus of the study is on the history of the company and its type, especially during the planned economy period. However, the further history of the companies and the transition to the market economy up to the present day are also presented.

Pages of the book Lastwagen & Busse Osteuropas (2)

Product details

Author:Michael Dünnebier
Details:320 pages, 26.5 x 23 cm / 10.4 x 9.1 in, hardback
Illustrations:650 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2019)
ISBN:9783613042032
Cover book Lastwagen & Busse Osteuropas

Lastwagen & Busse Osteuropas

Language: German

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Samochody użytkowe RWPG

The first publication in Polish presenting commercial vehicles produced in the countries belonging to the Comecon, the so-called Eastern Bloc, which existed after World War II, until 1990.
The author explains what kind of organisation the Comecon was and what kind of vehicles are defined as commercial vehicles. He presents the vehicle manufacturers and their production profile, as well as selected models of vans, trucks and buses, taking into account their construction and operating characteristics and technical data.

The vehicles are presented according to the manufacturers operating in each country, viz: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, the German Democratic Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Soviet Union.
The descriptions of the manufacturers and their vehicles are preceded by short chapters providing information on the origins and development of the automotive industry in the countries mentioned.

Text in Polish.

Product details

Author:Zdzisław Podbielski
Details:184 pages, 29 x 20.5 cm / 11.4 x 8.1 in, hardback
Illustrations:profusely illustrated
Publisher:Dom Wydawniczy Księży Młyn (PL, 2023)
ISBN:9788377297155
Cover book Samochody użytkowe RWPG

Samochody użytkowe RWPG

Language: Polish

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Last update: 16/06/2025