| RAF-977 | |
| Manufacturer: | Riga Autobus Factory |
| Production: | 1958-1976 |
| Assembly: | RAF Factory, Jelgava, Latvia ErAZ Factory, Yerevan, Armenia |
| Related: | GAZ-21 Volga ErAZ-762 |
| Engine: | 4-cylinder 2445cc 75lk=onNaNlk=on at 4000rpm |
| Transmission: | 3-speed manual[1] |
| Wheelbase: | 27000NaN0 |
| Length: | 49000NaN0 |
| Width: | 18150NaN0 |
| Height: | 21100NaN0 |
| Weight: | 1675kg (3,693lb) |
| 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.[2] Variants included the 977I ambulance and a special Intourist model, which had better seats, roof lights, and sunroof.[2]
The RAF-983, based on the 977, was a fire department vehicle.[2]
The shortened RAF-978, powered by the Moskvitch 407's 45lk=onNaNlk=on 1360cc engine, was not a success, in part because the engine lacked torque, and ride quality suffered due to the shortened wheelbase.[2]
In 1969,[2] 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).[2] 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.[2]
A one-ton cargo panel van, the RAF-977K,[2] was also developed, but due to insufficient assembly capacity (only 3000 units a year)[2] at the RAF plant (which still used trolleys, rather than a modern assembly line),[2] its production started at the ErAZ factory in Yerevan, Armenia, 1 May 1966 as ErAZ-762.[3] [2] This was nicknamed Yeraz (Armenian for "dream").[2] By 1973, ErAZ's production reached 6,500 per year; with the innovation of overhead carriage, capacity almost doubled, to 12,000 a year.[2] The 977 was also produced under licence by Lugansk Avto Remontnyi Zavod (LARZ).[2]
In 1969, an improved ErAZ-762A also appeared.[2]
Production of the RAF-977 ceased in 1975, when it was replaced by RAF-2203 Latvia.[2]
The RAF-977 was never promoted for export nor made available except to state groups.[4]