Solved: Wendax 1252 - GAZ MM street sweeper

[Wendax]

Keeping things clean and tidy over here.

For one point, please respond and identify this vehicle.

[Wendax]

up

[D-type]

British street sweeping vehicles are LHD so the driver can work tight up to the kerb.  So, is this British?

[Wendax]

Not British

[Wendax]

up again

[targhediferro]

From Urss?

[Wendax]

Yes!

[Bill Murray]

Just to properly define the geographic area, we are considering just the Soviet Union, not East Bloc countries??

Bill

[Wendax]

Soviet Union

[targhediferro]

GAZ M1 based?

[Wendax]

It is GAZ-based, but not on the M1.

Locked for you to find the base.

[targhediferro]

Gaz 21 based?

[Wendax]

No, getting colder

[targhediferro]

M-3?

[Wendax]

No, one more try before I will unlock.

[targhediferro]

M 412 or 415 based?

[Wendax]

No, unlocked and open for all.

[targhediferro]

Is it based upon the 4x4 model 64?

[Wendax]

No

[targhediferro]

It looks too small but...perhaps 51 based?

[Wendax]

Getting closer, try a little earlier.

[Bill Murray]

Having spent far too many hours on Russian sites, I think I can identify this as being based on the GAZ MM chassis with the type designation PU7.  I believe it dates from 1938.  From what I can find, it may be a "one off".

Below are two more photos of similar vehicles based on the GAZ AA chassis according to those sites and one is almost an exact duplicate of the puzzle vehicle except for the styling.

Bill

[Wendax]

Great pictures, Bill! I haven't seen those before. And the best of all, you are right with the GAZ MM base.

[Bill Murray]

Glad you enjoyed the photos.

Here is a rear view of three similar vehicles on a Moscow street.

Sort of looks like something out of a BatMan movie.................

BTW, the GAZ factory/factories made a few other examples of the MM with passenger car front styling including an ambulance.
Not pretty, but better than the basic truck.

Bill

[Wendax]

That picture would have made a great puzzle.