In 1977 a low-slung GT car with classic sportscar proportions emerged from the basement of an engineer in the Soviet Union, one Rafik Ordyan. Finished in June of that year, the car boasted one of the lowest profiles of any car at the time, just over 3 feet. Wherever this bright orange car appeared, a crowd of people came to marvel at it.
His dream became reality in the dark, dusty basement of his house which had a low ceiling. At just 7 feet tall, it was uncomfortable to say the least of it. Rafik worked for Soviet Ministry of Transport in the experimental department by day, but all of his spare time and resources went into the project, which was started in 1973. The doors alone took 6 months to perfect. "I had a goal," he said in an interview in 1978, "to create a modern, original car, different from all the others."
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| Rafik Ordyan's GT-77 being presented to officials at the Russian Grand Prix |
To power his car, Rafik chose a 47-horsepower Skoda 1202 engine, as well as a steering box and transmission from a Soviet Moskvitch 412. The rest of the car, including the chassis, were custom built by Ordyan. The trunk space, instrument placement, and interior added to its appeal while engine placement, low center of gravity and an entirely fiberglass body were the defining features of the final product.
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| The Ordyan GT-77 in front 3/4 view |
The impact of Rafik Ordyan’s victory in the 1977 Soviet Grand Prix was significant in Armenia. Unfortunately, Rafik died in May of 1979, of heart disease. He was just 30 years old. The Yerevan Automobile Factory had planned to mass-produce Ordyan’s GT-77 in Armenia for the Soviet market but shelved the plans after his death. Shortly thereafter the Armenian Autolover’s Club was established in Yerevan and membership grew as Rafik’s friends, colleagues, and fans carried on the tradition in his memory.
After the Soviet collapse, the use and legal ownership of precious metals in the newly independent Republic of Armenia gave way to the creation of a handmade memorial plaque which is given out every year by the Car Club to the best handmade car of the year. The plaque features a center relief of the GT-77 with the name “Ordyan, R.S.” at the bottom. The GT-77 still exists and is part of the Ordyan family collection in Yerevan. As part of the 30th anniversary of the passing of its creator a restoration commenced in May of 2009.
Sources:
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| The Ordyan Memorial Plaque |
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| The Ordyan GT-77 at rear |
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| The Ordyan GT-77, front right 3/4 view |
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| The Ordyan GT-77 in Soviet Media |
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| The Ordyan GT-77 in repose |
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| The Ordyan GT-77 at the Russian GP |
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| The Ordyan GT-77 with its creator |
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| The Ordyan GT-77 with its creator (left) and friend (at right) |
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| The Ordyan GT-77 with Rafik Ordyan |
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