Volga / GAZ

Volga, produced by the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ), represents a significant chapter in Soviet automotive history. Born in the mid-1950s, the Volga aimed to be a symbol of Soviet prestige, offering a more refined alternative to utilitarian vehicles. Early models, like the GAZ-21, drew heavily on American design cues, reflecting the era's influence.

Throughout the Cold War, Volgas served as official government vehicles, taxis, and a status symbol for the privileged. While robust and capable of enduring harsh conditions, their technology often lagged behind Western counterparts. Production continued, with various iterations, until the early 2000s. The Volga's legacy is one of resilience and a unique blend of Soviet ambition and borrowed aesthetics, a tangible artifact of a bygone era.