RAF-977 [SEP] manufacturer
RAF-977
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. Variants included the 977I ambulance and a special "Intourist" model, which had better seats,
" (Armenian for "dream"). By 1973, ErAZ's production reached 6,500 per year; with the innovation of overhead carriage, capacity almost doubled, to 12,000 a year. The 977 was also produced under licence by "Lugansk Avto Remontnyi Zavod" (LARZ).
In 1969, an improved ErAZ-762A also appeared.
Production of the RAF-977 ceased in 1975, when it was replaced by RAF-2203 Latvia.
The 977 was never promoted for export nor made available except to state groups.