Sofia (car)
Encyclopedia
Sofia was the name of two versions of two-passenger vehicles manufactured in Bulgaria
in the 1980s and 1990s, from designer Velizar Andreev.
, graduating in 1962 with an engineering degree in design of vehicles (automobiles, tractors and lift cars). During his studies he built a fully functioning prototype automobile with modern lines (which unfortunately has not survived); his graduate project was a mockup
of a passenger car. When the graduate project was demonstrated to the grading committee, its non-conservative styling did not sit well, and they gave only a passable grade to the avant-garde design with hidden headlamps
.
In 1979 Andreev established the Sofia Club, which served as a meeting ground where ideas regarding the design and manufacture of a Bulgarian-made sports car could be freely discussed. About the same time, Andreev collaborated with several auto mechanics students and engineers to build his first prototype sports car. The finished prototype was displayed to the public in October 1981 at the Plovdiv Fair. The attractive prototype was made of fiberglass
and was entirely designed by Andreev, both mechanically and visually. The engine and some mechanical components were borrowed from the VAZ 2101 "Zhiguli
", but as a whole, the prototype was similar to the future Sofia production car. The major differences between the prototype and the production car were the prototype's shorter wheelbase, lack of roof or doors (a roll bar mounted above the two passengers' heads was supposed to protect them in accidents), and larger tires.
In fall 1985 the Plovdiv Fair showcased the prototype of the sports car Sofia, which Andreev and several collaborators had made in 1984. It was painted dark-red metallic color.
In 1989 the Plovdiv Fair again showcased the final version of the Sofia B, painted in gray metallic color; the manufacture of the car was supported by the machine-building firm Balkankar and the Bulgarian Ministry of Machine-Building. The car's headlights were no longer of the flip-up type, instead becoming exposed and mounted on the front of the hood; the car's rear was also radically restyled. The gull-wing doors were abandoned as well, which did not detract from the design and made the car easier to produce and live with. The interior also received numerous improvements.
In 1990, after a three-month long effort, Andreev completed the prototype of a light SUV named Sofia C, with an engine borrowed from a Lada
passenger car. That same year also saw the start of serial production of both the Sofia B and the Sofia C, made by Andreev's own private company Vilicar.
During the 1990s Andreev broadened the scope of his automotive-related activities by continuing to produce his own cars, and by tuning private passenger cars and converting passenger cars into commercial delivery vehicles. In 1997 Andreev also produced a prototype of a small passenger bus which was exhibited at the Plovdiv Fair. It was based on an Avia
chassis.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
in the 1980s and 1990s, from designer Velizar Andreev.
History
Velizar Andreev attended MEI (Institute for Machinery and Electrical Engineering) in SofiaSofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
, graduating in 1962 with an engineering degree in design of vehicles (automobiles, tractors and lift cars). During his studies he built a fully functioning prototype automobile with modern lines (which unfortunately has not survived); his graduate project was a mockup
Mockup
In manufacturing and design, a mockup, or mock-up, is a scale or full-size model of a design or device, used for teaching, demonstration, design evaluation, promotion, and other purposes...
of a passenger car. When the graduate project was demonstrated to the grading committee, its non-conservative styling did not sit well, and they gave only a passable grade to the avant-garde design with hidden headlamps
Hidden headlamps
Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps or headlights, are an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobile's headlamps when they are not in use...
.
In 1979 Andreev established the Sofia Club, which served as a meeting ground where ideas regarding the design and manufacture of a Bulgarian-made sports car could be freely discussed. About the same time, Andreev collaborated with several auto mechanics students and engineers to build his first prototype sports car. The finished prototype was displayed to the public in October 1981 at the Plovdiv Fair. The attractive prototype was made of fiberglass
Glass-reinforced plastic
Fiberglass , is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of glass. It is also known as GFK ....
and was entirely designed by Andreev, both mechanically and visually. The engine and some mechanical components were borrowed from the VAZ 2101 "Zhiguli
Zhiguli
Zhiguli may refer to:*Zhiguli Mountains, a forested mountain range by river Volga in the Samara oblast.*Zhiguli , the name given to Lada cars, built by AvtoVAZ, in the domestic market....
", but as a whole, the prototype was similar to the future Sofia production car. The major differences between the prototype and the production car were the prototype's shorter wheelbase, lack of roof or doors (a roll bar mounted above the two passengers' heads was supposed to protect them in accidents), and larger tires.
In fall 1985 the Plovdiv Fair showcased the prototype of the sports car Sofia, which Andreev and several collaborators had made in 1984. It was painted dark-red metallic color.
Production
In 1986 a small industrial cooperative called Avantgarde was formed to begin the production of the sports car Sofia B, whose annual production volume was initially planned at 200 cars.In 1989 the Plovdiv Fair again showcased the final version of the Sofia B, painted in gray metallic color; the manufacture of the car was supported by the machine-building firm Balkankar and the Bulgarian Ministry of Machine-Building. The car's headlights were no longer of the flip-up type, instead becoming exposed and mounted on the front of the hood; the car's rear was also radically restyled. The gull-wing doors were abandoned as well, which did not detract from the design and made the car easier to produce and live with. The interior also received numerous improvements.
In 1990, after a three-month long effort, Andreev completed the prototype of a light SUV named Sofia C, with an engine borrowed from a Lada
Lada
Lada is a trademark of AvtoVAZ, a Russian car manufacturer in Tolyatti, Samara Oblast. All AvtoVAZ vehicles are currently sold under the Lada brand, though this was not always so; Lada was originally AvtoVAZ's export brand for models it sold under the Zhiguli name in the domestic Soviet market...
passenger car. That same year also saw the start of serial production of both the Sofia B and the Sofia C, made by Andreev's own private company Vilicar.
During the 1990s Andreev broadened the scope of his automotive-related activities by continuing to produce his own cars, and by tuning private passenger cars and converting passenger cars into commercial delivery vehicles. In 1997 Andreev also produced a prototype of a small passenger bus which was exhibited at the Plovdiv Fair. It was based on an Avia
Avia
Avia is a Czech aircraft and automotive company notable for producing biplane fighter aircraft, especially the B-534, and trucks.- History :...
chassis.