Source: KAMAZ – An important disclaimer is located at the bottom of this article.
Exactly 50 years ago, on February 16, 1976, the first KAMAZ truck rolled off the main assembly line of the automobile plant.
Construction of the plant in Naberezhnye Chelny started on December 13, 1969, and on February 16, 1976, the first truck, the sided KAMAZ-5320, rolled off the main assembly line. This day became a bright page in the history of the auto giant and a long-awaited event for the Soviet engineering industry, as the country, which was in dire need of modern trucks, received an advanced vehicle for that time.
The release of the first KAMAZ truck was timed to coincide with the XXV Congress of the CPSU, which was held in Moscow from February 24 to March 5, 1976. As a sign of the successful fulfillment of the party’s plans, the first KAMAZ truck arrived on Red Square under its own power. The truck numbered 0000001 was driven by test driver Valery Peretolchin. Dmitry Zagrebelny, an installer, and Rafis Sabirzyanov, an employee of KAMGESENERGOSTROY, were also part of the first honorary crew of the KAMAZ-5320 on-board vehicle.
The first-born truck of the plant has survived to the present day. After rolling off the assembly line, it was handed over to the customer, worked for many years in Bashkiria, then was bought out by KAMAZ and restored. Currently, the KAMAZ-5320 with factory number 0000001 is one of the most valuable exhibits for KAMAZ and is located in the company’s Visitor Center in Naberezhnye Chelny.
Long before the first builders appeared in Naberezhnye Chelny, designers, researchers, technologists, and testers were already working on prototypes of Kama vehicles. One of the most experienced design teams in the country, the Moscow ZIL team, worked on the creation of the new model. Yaroslavl engine builders developed diesel power units. The Minsk Automobile Plant designed dump trucks and bodies for KAMAZ trucks. At the same time, the engineers took into account the experience of the domestic and foreign automotive industry. As a result, the design of the KAMAZ-5320 truck embodied the most advanced engineering solutions of those years and met the requirements of technological progress.
The KAMAZ-5320 was equipped with a modern V-shaped eight-cylinder diesel engine KAMAZ-740 with a capacity of 210 hp and a five-speed gearbox. The on-board platform of the vehicle was equipped with folding sides and a frame for installing an awning as standard.
From 1976 to 1978, the automobile plant produced three basic models: the KAMAZ-5320 truck with a load capacity of 8 tonnes, the KAMAZ-5511 construction dump truck with a load capacity of 10 tonnes and the KAMAZ-5410 truck tractor with a gross weight of 26 tonnes. Then, a 10-tonne KAMAZ-53212 truck with a wheelbase increased to 3690 mm, a 7-tonne KAMAZ-55102 agricultural dump truck, and a tractor truck for the 33-tonne KAMAZ-54112 road train were developed. The first generation of trucks was in demand among customers for many more years: models based on the KAMAZ-5320 truck, which became the ancestor of a whole family of heavy trucks, left the assembly line only in 2000.
For half a century, the model range of KAMAZ vehicles has undergone many changes. Now the company produces trucks of the fifth generation, which are radically different from their predecessors. The flagship of the latest K5 line is the KAMAZ-54901 truck. The premium truck tractor was developed by the company’s engineers as a worthy alternative to trucks from the Big Seven. The vehicle is not inferior to its foreign counterparts in terms of its technical characteristics and comfort. In general, the model range of KAMAZ K5 vehicles and chassis includes five lines: linehaul, transport, heavy, all-wheel drive and medium-tonnage. Each family consists of several models presented in various trim levels.
2026 has been declared the Year of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Naberezhnye Chelny and the 50th anniversary of the release of the first KAMAZ vehicle. Today, on February 16, KAMAZ and the city will host a number of events dedicated to the anniversary date. The axle plant of KAMAZ PTC will be opened. Factory workers will meet at a solemn rally organized at the automobile plant. In the evening, the Naberezhnye Chelny Organ Hall will host a concert by Denis Matsuev, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation and virtuoso pianist.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its customers.