The car was designed to last for years in severe road conditions, and its reinforced unibody construction gave the Volga extra weight compared to foreign analogues, yet power steering was not even an option, and it gained the nickname barzha (barge).

[3] The standard engine was aluminium-block overhead-valve 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) ZMZ-24D inline-four producing 95 metric horsepower (70 kW) with one twin-choke carburetor.

No specific options or extras were listed, but standard equipment included self-adjusting power drum brakes with front/rear split brake system, three-wave radio with power antenna, interior safety padding, central armrests (both front and rear), alternator, three-speed windshield wiper and foot-operated windshield washer, heater with defroster, rear window defogger, electric clock, and trunk and engine-compartment lights.

Early cars had "ribbon" speedometers,[6] with gauges that filled up with red, in a thermometer fashion.

[7] The dashboard was made of aluminium and painted in exterior colour, the upper part covered with safety padding and black vinyl.

Some features of the Volga's styling were thematically quite similar to those of the GAZ-21, such as the vertical tail lights, so-called "baleen plates" grille, and tiny fins on the rear fenders.

Some of the most recognizable features of the GAZ-24 Volga sedan styling are chromed rhombic vents on the C-pillar.

Among other distinctive features can be mentioned dashboard handles with "ivory" plastic inserts, two chromed "fangs" under the front bumper, a large, two-spoke steering wheel, and a large chromed parking-brake handle placed under the dashboard on the right.

After 1973, the ignition switch was moved from the dashboard to beneath the steering wheel, to prevent knee injuries in road accidents, although that was less convenient for the driver.

[8] The original strip speedometer was changed to a dial in 1975, the same year the ignition switch was moved from the dash to the steering column.

Unlike the GAZ-21, however, for most of its production lifetime, it was not commonly available to the public;[7] those that were sold required a special permit to purchase them.

[8] It had cheap and easy-to-wash all-vinyl interior,[10] a low-compression ZMZ-24-01 engine (85 PS, SAE 95 PS) able to run on 76 octane fuel (most commonly available in the Soviet Union),[8] taximeter under the dash, and distinctive checkerboard stripe on front doors.

For example, families with many children or sportsmen who had to carry heavy sport equipment (like parachutes) were allowed to purchase a Volga wagon.

Famous clown and actor Yuri Nikulin was permitted to own a GAZ-24-02 wagon because he often transported heavy circus equipment.

Wagons were primarily used by hospitals (as ambulances), state-owned shops, taxi companies, Militsiya, GAI, post offices, and other state enterprises.

[8] The GAZ-24-04 was a taxicab variant of the Volga station wagon with special features similar to those of the sedan taxi.

[citation needed] One survives in the GAZ plant's museum, another perhaps is in private hands in Nizhny Novgorod.

[13] It received an aluminium 190 PS (140 kW) 5,530 cc (337 cu in) OHV ZMZ-24-24 V8 (derived from the GAZ-13),[15][16][17] one four-barrel carburetor, a dual exhaust, three-speed automatic transmission (same as the Chaika), power steering, modified suspension, and a 105 L (28 US gal; 23 imp gal) fuel tank, but the same drum brakes of the standard Volga.

[13] This modification is sometimes designated "GAZ 2424", and was nicknamed the "Double" (for having a V8, rather than a straight four)[8] and "Chaser" (Russian: догонялка, dogonyalka).

The colour scheme was chosen by the local Moscow organizers, not the IOC- that year's Winter Games fleet was light blue (Ford products).

Yet a further two years were needed to gain this approval from Moscow, whose leadership was preoccupied with the political aftermath following the death of Leonid Brezhnev to allow for a modernisation to begin.

These included fingerless crankshaft bearing caps, new cast-iron camshaft supports with no bushings, inlet and outlet valves of increased diameter with double-wound-springs, a new water pump, a vibration damper on the crankshaft pulley, contactless ignition system with a new alternator, new spark plugs, and an upgraded K-126GM carburettor.

The dashboard of the GAZ-3102 was made of shock-absorbing foam with a coloured finish, while the mass-produced Volga had to do with hard black plastic.

Given that the car was to serve a temporary role, it was chosen to avoid replacing the body panels on grounds of cost, with the exception of the doors.

Thus, most of the chrome details were removed: the boot lip trim, the cursive "Волга" name on the front fenders, mirrors, and the wipers were now painted black.

As a final touch, the baleen radiator grille was replaced by a black plastic one (originally developed for export models to Benelux countries that were retrofitted with local diesels).

[22] The RAF-2203 "Latvija" van by Rīgas Autobusu Fabrika (in production 1976–97) was based on drivetrain and suspensions of GAZ-24 Volga.

The GAZ-3102 Volga (produced since 1982) and almost all later GAZ passenger cars (31029, 3110, 31105) were just facelifted and modernized versions of the 24 Volga, retaining it's chassis and central body shell, but differing in redesigned front and rear ends, alongside new and more modern engines.

Cars that were sold in Europe often had such features as metallic paint, simulated vinyl roof, leather interior and other luxuries.

ÖAF-Gräf & Stift stopped bringing in new Volgas after early 1981, although stock continued to be available until the end of the year, and the company also kept providing occasional cars for Czech and Soviet diplomats stationed in Austria.