Story of the exhibit

The first version of the vehicle was finished in 1975, using a RAF-977 chassis and rear body section, a GAZ-53 cab and front end, and GAZ-67 papers as the basis for the conversion. However, the then State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate did not pass it, and it stood idle for 10 years. In 1986 the builder finally managed to register it; for this the wheelbase had to be shortened by 30 cm, and the engine became a VAZ-2101 engine bored out to 1.6 litres. In 1988 the vehicle made trips to Crimea and Kaliningrad. Later the VAZ engine was replaced with a GAZ-24 engine, and a MAZ grille and RAF-2203 bumpers were fitted. In 1989–1991 the vehicle was also used by the Border Service of the Pärnu Home Guard. In 1992 it was sold to Tartu; in 1997 it was traded for a mobile phone and used by a band. Later it was left standing in Pedaspää village by Lake Peipsi, from where it was brought to the Järva-Jaani Old Tech Park. The vehicle was donated by its builder. In 2010 the donor Rein Tomp and his sons drove it to the meeting of Estonian-built and home-built vehicles "Built in Estonia – 2010" in Järva-Jaani.