Enigmatic cars from a country that no longer exists. Soviet cars, despite challenging times, were in demand abroad, exported to dozens of countries, and even became symbols of an era.
The automotive industry of the Soviet Union remains a mystery to many of us, with some knowing nothing about it at all. Yet, some Soviet cars enjoyed considerable demand on the global automobile scene. By 1975, the number of exported cars from the USSR reached almost 400,000 units, which can be considered a quite high level of foreign consumer interest.
This car, modeled after the Plymouth Deluxe (1941), was introduced in 1946 and named in honor of victory in World War II. By 1947, the first five thousand cars were sent to European countries. Imagine a nation, completely ruined post-war, with no automobile production, where an ordinary citizen could not only not afford a car but couldn't even dream of one. But putting aside the polemics: the Pobeda could certainly compete with European brands, offering a spacious interior, a capacious trunk, and a smooth ride, but it was still far from Mercedes-Benz 170, BMW 321 and 336, as well as Opel Olympia and Opel Kapitän. It is worth noting that the car was affordable. In the Scandinavian countries, this car gained particular popularity — it was often used as a taxi.
In 1956, at the Gorky Automobile Plant in the USSR, production of the GAZ-21 Volga began — a car that quickly became the embodiment of Soviet car manufacturing and a symbol of prosperity. The design and various elements of the car were modeled after the Ford Mainline/Customline (1952–1954), with some interior elements and body silhouette resembling the Chevrolet Bel Air 1954 or Plymouth Savoy 1954. How this happened is unclear, but the fact remains: two years later, at the Brussels Exhibition, the model received the highest award — the Grand Prix. It is worth noting that at this time, there was a critical shortage of cars in the Soviet Union. In 1958, the export of the Volga began, covering 75 countries, with specially produced right-hand-drive versions for the British market. Cars with a two-tone body color were especially popular. Improved options were offered for buyers with high demands: an abundance of chrome elements and premium trim emphasized the owner's status and gave the car a special chic.
The legendary LADA-1600 was a modernized and adapted Soviet version of the Fiat 124 with gradual improvements in design and technology. It is not a direct copy, but the car was built on the Italian platform. From 1975 to 2005, the model was produced in huge batches and earned the title of one of the most mass-produced cars not only in the USSR but also beyond. Outside the USSR, it was known as the LADA-1600. A special modification was created for Canada with reinforced bumpers and built-in fog lamps adapted to North American safety standards.
The first car in the USSR of own design and pride of the country — the UAZ-469 off-road vehicle. This car was exported already in 1973, just a year after production started in Ulyanovsk. The model was particularly in demand in Italy, where supplies continued until 1999. For European markets, the car was refined: Peugeot diesel engines, power steering, and decorative body kits were installed. Besides Europe, the UAZ-469 was actively bought in Asia and South Africa. The UAZ-469 was initially developed as a military off-road vehicle. Its main task was to ensure mobility of the army and security forces in difficult off-road conditions.
In 1977, the VAZ-2121 Niva with the emblem of a boat burst into the European market and quickly captured 40% of the SUV segment. It is worth noting that this car is an original Soviet design. The car sold excellently in Germany, Austria, Iceland, and the UK. In England, for example, 45 special versions were ordered for transporting the management of the construction of the Eurotunnel under the English Channel. Over 25 years, VAZ exported almost 500,000 cars — twice the total export of all Soviet cars before its appearance.