1946 Moskvich 400 Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Moskvich 400 has a curb weight of approximately 885 kg (1,951 lbs), which is the weight of the car without passengers or cargo. The maximum weight rating (gross vehicle weight) is about 1155 kg (2,548 lbs), which includes the car itself plus passengers, fuel, and cargo. This makes it a light vehicle, typical for early compact sedans, and contributes to its modest fuel consumption and ease of maneuverability. The weight ratios also reflect the vehicle’s simple construction and materials used in the mid-20th century.

The Moskvich 400 uses tires sized 130/80 R16. This means the tire width is 130 mm, the aspect ratio is 80% of the width, and it fits a 16-inch diameter rim. Compared to modern cars, these tires are narrower and taller sidewalls, which was common in pre-war and immediate post-war cars to absorb road shocks during that era. Today’s cars often use wider tires with lower profiles for better grip and handling, but the original tire size suits the period-correct suspension and road conditions the Moskvich 400 was designed for.

A standard garage size typically measures about 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) in width and 6 meters (about 20 feet) in length, which is designed to accommodate most passenger vehicles comfortably. Given the Moskvich 400's dimensions of 3855 mm (3.855 meters or 12.6 feet) in length and 1400 mm (1.4 meters or 4.6 feet) in width, it will fit easily into a standard garage with ample room to spare on all sides. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for smaller garages and tight parking spaces, making it convenient for owners with limited parking area.

The Moskvich 400 was essentially based on the pre-war Opel Kadett K38 platform, re-engineered and produced in the Soviet Union following World War II. Compared to its Opel predecessor, the Moskvich 400 maintained a similar compact footprint with minor dimensional variations around 3.85 meters length and 1.4 meters width. When compared to contemporaneous competitors like the Ford Anglia or Austin 7, the Moskvich 400 was in the same small sedan class, slightly narrower and with a similar length. This made it competitive in urban environments and suitable for the economy segment of the time.

The Moskvich 400 stands 1555 mm tall (about 61.2 inches), which is relatively tall for a compact sedan from the 1940s. This height contributes to a higher roofline that provides ample headroom for both front and rear occupants, enhancing passenger comfort despite the car’s compact footprint. The vertical stance also helped in accommodating the mechanical components beneath the vehicle and simplified cabin design. For post-war car designs, this height was typical to balance visibility, comfort, and practicality.

With a width of just 1400 mm (approximately 55.1 inches), the Moskvich 400 is narrower than most modern cars. This narrower width made the car light and easy to maneuver, especially valuable on narrow streets and rough roads common in post-war Soviet cities and rural areas. However, a narrower track could potentially reduce lateral stability compared to wider vehicles, so the handling had to be carefully balanced with suspension design. The modest width also meant that two Moskvich 400 vehicles could comfortably pass each other on tight roads.

The Moskvich 400 measures 3855 mm (about 12.6 feet) in length, which puts it firmly in the compact sedan category during its production era (1946 to 1954). Compared with modern compact cars, which typically range from 4.2 to 4.5 meters in length, the Moskvich 400 is somewhat shorter, reflecting its focus on economy and urban maneuverability suited for the post-war infrastructure. Its compact length also made parking and navigating crowded city streets easier, a critical factor before the widespread modern road network.

The Moskvich 400 has a maximum permissible weight of 1155 kg (2,548 lbs), which includes the vehicle’s curb weight plus passengers, cargo, and fuel. Given its curb weight of 885 kg (1,951 lbs), this means it can carry approximately 270 kg (about 597 lbs) of additional load. This capacity is adequate for four passengers and their moderate luggage, aligning with the typical usage of small family sedans of that period. It highlights the car’s modest carrying capability which was designed for practicality rather than heavy hauling.

The Moskvich 400 is similar in size and functionality to many European and American compact sedans of the 1940s, such as the Opel Kadett K38 and the Ford Anglia. With its length of 3855 mm, width of 1400 mm, and height of 1555 mm, it offered a practical balance of compact dimensions that delivered sufficient interior space for small families while remaining easy to drive on narrow or less-developed roads. Its lightweight design at 885 kg curb weight enhanced fuel efficiency and maneuverability. Compared to its Western counterparts, the Moskvich 400 emphasized robust and simple engineering suited for the Soviet market, but dimensionally it competed well in the small sedan class of its era.