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RAF-2203 "Latvija"
RAF-2203 "Latvija"
Code:
000240
Category:
Your scene's year:
1976
Color:
Red
Type:
Special transport, Van
Make:
RAF
The Soviet-era Latvija minibus was a series of light commercial vehicles produced by the Riga Bus Factory (RAF, Rīgas Autobusu Fabrika) in Latvia, which was part of the USSR at the time. These minibuses were widely used for passenger transport, ambulance services, and various public functions across the Soviet Union.
Key Models:
- RAF-977 "Latvija" (1958–1976)
- First-generation Soviet minibus.
- Based on the GAZ-21 Volga engine and components.
- Used as a passenger vehicle and ambulance.
- Featured a rounded, compact design.
- RAF-2203 "Latvija" (1976–1997)
- Most well-known and mass-produced model.
- Modernized design with a more angular shape.
- Powered by GAZ-24 Volga engine.
- Used as taxis, service vehicles, and by Soviet officials.
- Common in Eastern Bloc countries and even some foreign markets.
Usage and Legacy:
- Public Transport: Used as marshrutka (route taxis) in Soviet cities.
- Medical Services: Many variants served as ambulances.
- Government & Police: Some were adapted for special purposes.
- Decline: Production stopped in the late 1990s due to outdated technology and competition from Western manufacturers.
Today, RAF "Latvija" minibuses are rare but remain a symbol of Soviet automotive history, with some restored models appearing in vintage car collections.
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