Our SUV not only has four-wheel drive, but also a mid-engine. In addition, if you look at the car from the left side, it looks like a sports coupe, because it has only one door. Apparently, the Soviet designers had plans to start the UAZ in the LeMans series. This is evident from the specific location of the ignition key lock: it is here on the left, just like on the Porsche. And that’s because of the starting procedure, where the drivers line up on one side and the cars on the other. After the order: “Gentlemen, start your engines”, everyone rushed to the cars and tried to move as quickly as possible.
Most cars of that time, including modern ones, had the ignition switch on the right side, which led to delays at the start. At Porsche, it was placed on the left side, so that after the pilot opened the door, he immediately put the key in the lock and started the engine, climbing into the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, such a starting procedure was banned in 1970 for safety reasons and the left position of the ignition switch lost its meaning. And, apparently, only this prevented the “Loaf” from becoming a legend in the world of motorsport.
By the way, UAZ and Porsche also have in common the procedure for getting into the driver’s seat. It is very difficult to do this so as not to make others laugh without additional training. It is also curious that four-wheel drive on Porsche appeared only in 1980, and then only in the group B rally prototype. So, here too, “Loaf” turned out to be the leader!