An unusual meeting took place in the vicinity of Hengelo (Netherlands): about 40 local owners of the legendary UAZ-452, known as "Loaf". The event, organized by journalist Chris Heijmans, took place in the bosom of nature, becoming a point of attraction for connoisseurs of Ulyanovsk minibuses.
Interest in "Loaf" in Europe has deep roots. German entrepreneur Dmitry Schwab, former head of "Made in Russia", emphasized that "Loaf" was the cheapest new car in the EU for conversion into a motorhome. It was this unique combination of affordable price, frame construction and maintainability that ensured its popularity among European caravanning enthusiasts in the 2010s. The simple but reliable mechanical component — engine, transmission, suspension — made the "Loaf" an attractive basis for deep modification.
Despite the cessation of official deliveries, the existing fleet of "Loaves" in Europe remains active. Owners continue to develop tuning technologies: installation of heating systems, bathrooms, solar panels, interior modernization.
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