1954 Moskvich 401 Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Moskvich 401 has a curb weight of approximately 780 kilograms (1719 pounds), which refers to the weight of the vehicle without passengers or cargo. Its maximum permissible weight is 1155 kilograms (2548 pounds), indicating the total weight capacity including passengers, cargo, and fuel. This weight range reflects the vehicle's sturdy build and capacity for everyday passenger use, balancing performance and efficiency.

This generation Moskvich 401 comes equipped with 16-inch rims, paired with tires sized at 130/80 R16. The tire width is 130 mm, with an aspect ratio of 80%, indicating a tire sidewall height that is 80% of the width. These tires are designed to provide a comfortable ride and reliable road contact, suitable for the driving conditions common during its production period.

Yes, the Moskvich 401's relatively compact dimensions make it well-suited to fit into a standard residential garage. With its length at 3855 mm (approximately 12.65 feet) and width at 1400 mm (about 4.6 feet), it occupies less space than many modern sedans, which tend to be larger. This size advantage allows easy parking and storage in typical garages without requiring special accommodations.

Compared to its predecessor, the Moskvich 400, the Moskvich 401 maintained a similar compact form factor but featured slight improvements in design and practicality. While the Moskvich 400 was itself a small sedan, the 401 enhanced passenger comfort and usability without significantly increasing exterior dimensions. The 401's length of 3855 mm and width of 1400 mm are consistent with the earlier model’s footprint, although the 401 generally offered a more refined and modernized body style.

The Moskvich 401, with its 3855 mm (151.8 inches) length and 1400 mm (55.1 inches) width, fits squarely within the compact car category of the 1950s. Comparable European and Soviet sedans of that era, such as the Trabant or Fiat 1100, had similar lengths ranging from about 3600 mm to 4000 mm. Its height of 1555 mm (61.2 inches) also aligns with these competitors, ensuring a functional interior space without excessive bulk. Its compact size contributed to maneuverability and ease of use during a period when road conditions often favored smaller cars.

Given its exterior dimensions—length of 3855 mm, width of 1400 mm, and height of 1555 mm—the Moskvich 401 offers a modest but practical cabin space designed for four to five passengers. Its height enables comfortable headroom for average-sized adults, while the narrow width and length reflect the era’s design priorities focused on efficiency and simplicity rather than spaciousness. Passengers should expect adequate seating space for short to medium trips typical of mid-20th-century compact sedans.

The Moskvich 401’s curb weight of 780 kg (1719 lbs) was relatively light, which helped enhance its fuel efficiency and driving dynamics considering the technology of the 1950s. The lighter construction allowed the vehicle's modest engine to perform adequately in urban and suburban driving conditions, with stable handling characteristics. Additionally, the maximum allowable weight of 1155 kg (2548 lbs) ensured the car could safely carry passengers and cargo without compromising performance significantly.

The Moskvich 401 is a compact sedan produced from 1954 to 1956, designed primarily as an affordable, practical family car within the Soviet automotive market. Its purpose was to provide reliable transportation for middle-class consumers, with a focus on durability, simplicity, and ease of maintenance. The sedan body style offered a balance of passenger comfort and cargo capacity, aiming to meet everyday transportation needs in a post-war environment.

When compared to contemporary compact cars of the 1950s, the Moskvich 401 holds up as a modestly sized vehicle optimized for smaller roadways and the driving environments typical in the Soviet Union. Its dimensions allowed for easy maneuvering through narrow streets and urban areas, while the weight kept the vehicle agile and relatively fuel-efficient. Practical usability was enhanced by its sedan configuration, tires sized at 130/80 R16 providing stable road contact, and a size that facilitated parking in limited spaces. However, it had less interior space and modern amenities compared to some Western contemporaries, reflecting different market priorities and technological capabilities.