CC Cohort glen.h posted this M-21 Volga that he shot at the National Motor Museum, in Birdwood, South Australia. With styling clearly influenced by contemporary American designs, the M-21 was the most expensive and exclusive Soviet car a private citizen could buy; even so, its price made it affordable only to the nomenklatura and party officials, and for taxi and livery use. Produced from 1956-1970 with very few changes, it has achieved an iconic status comparable to the ’57 Chevy in the U.S. and the Citroen DS in France.
I’m assuming this is an M-21, which had a rugged, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. There also was a V8-powered Volga, the M-23, that was built specifically for “efficient pursuit, escort and other special missions” at the request of the KGB. Let’s just say you hoped never to ride in an M-23, as the ride might well be your last.
In classic American engine-swapping form, GAZ crammed the large and heavy 195-hp, 5.5-liter (337.5 cu in) V8 and automatic from the Chaika limosine into the Volga’s engine bay. The result was somewhat predictable: a fast car with suspension and brakes not really up to the job. GAZ had to design new brakes and make additional tweaks as needed. Only some 603 “Volga” M-23s were made; only nine are known to exist today.
The Volga has become such a very popular collector-mobile that several neo-Volgas, including this V12-powered coupe, have been made from scratch.
And of course, the Volga still has fans at the Kremlin. This early version is one of Vladmir Putin’s favorites. The tag reads “21”, but since Putin is an ex-KGB man, could it really be a stealth ex-KGB V8 M-23? Maybe George Bush recognized a kindred car-loving soul when he looked into Putin’s eyes.
“efficient pursuit, escort and other special missions” Coming soon to a state near you!!!!!
I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. – George W. Bush
I always figured Volga+Vodka+Vlad=that quote. 😛
Back to the car: Looks interesting but think I would rather have the american 57 chevy than that. I think the chances of it keeping on running for other than ceremonial rides like this are better.
I wonder if the engines and transmissions in the Volga are ripoffs of some other design? That would make it easier on the wallet.
The car has a kind of 52 Mercury vibe to me, especially from the rear. It is also interesting to note that Russians still appreciate whitewall tires.
> Russians still appreciate whitewall tires.
How do you know? The featured car is in Australia, while the Bush-Putin-mobile is a classic, so more likely to have period trim rather than modern.
Love the coupe I heard these also came in diesel.
That V12 coupe is super sharp. This Volga M6 Cabrio (from English Russia) knocks me out.
This one was parked up the street from me in San Francisco for a few weeks. At first glance I though it must be a German version (if such a car exists) of the British Ford MkII Zephyr.
There is movie called “Black Lightning” available on Netflix that is about a young man who inherits an old Volga that can fly. It’s an okay movie, and would be a real tonic for the Volga-obsessed.
I’m positive I’ve seen this very car (on VIC plates) at shows here in Melbourne.
If it is the same one, the owner is seriously keen–I saw it pull into a show in Carlton with the driver in full Soviet uniform, with a period radio on the front bench crackling official-sounding Russian. At the end of the show, he climbed in and drove it away himself. Nice.
It would be the same car- I think it is the only one in the country and was doing a bit of a round Australia tour, if I remember correctly!
I’ve seen it a couple of times too, complete with the owner in uniform. Apart from answering the same questions a million times, I’m sure he has a lot of fun with it!
The V12 coupe is a one-off by a car customisation crew. It is actually a rebody of a large BMW. A concept car, really.
I’ve no love for the older Volga. Or communism. Or Putin. Or Bush. I’m rather glad that the Soviet era is finally over, and anything that reminds me of it is unwelcome.
Remember, in Soviet Russia, Volga drives *you*. 🙂
Came to this page looking for the legendary picture of the V12 coupe, was not disappointed. Seriously, one of the most photogenic cars I’ve ever seen!
Coupe was based on E31 BMW 850CSi and Cabrio on BMW 645Ci.
The Volga was based on the ’52-’53 Ford, though almost everything was altered to some extent. Nevertheless, the overall Ford design elements are obvious. Since GAZ has ties with Ford going back to the Model A, it is really not so strange.
The car has had three facelifts during its long life. The black car is the third series one from the late 1960s. Putin’s car is the second series from the early 1960s. The first series cars from the 1950s are very rare today, they can be identified by a more elaborate chrome grille with a red star on it, but you almost never see them.
The KGB Volgas are extremely rare, only a few survive, so safe to assume any such Volga you see is a Gaz-21. Rumor has it, they had to weld steel plates in the trunks of those cars, otherwise the Chaika V8 engines overbalanced the front end.
Hi
i am from iran
what is your idea about installing deer for gaz 21 third series ?