by No one can escape from the past, whether it’s good or bad. It periodically makes itself known, for some it surfaces like the unpleasant feces. For others, it is a subject of pride and a reminder of glorious bygone days. One way or another, after the collapse of the Union, all its citizens and their descendants inherited a kind of “legacy” in the form of the automotive industry.
Mostly, of course, it induces headaches and gag reflexes. But there are also examples which actually improve mood and even evoke some pride, like when, for example, a polished Volga impresses sophisticated Yankees.
But let’s be honest, 95% of Soviet cars are outright rubbish that buries the joy in the lives of their owners. Are there truly worthy items among this pile of junk that deserve attention and respect? Naturally! How about a kind of hit parade of the “coolest Soviet cars”? 10th place – Skoda Rapid
This small hatch, reminiscent of the second generation of VAZ “Zhiguli,” was somewhat like a Porsche for the poor (for the poorest, of course, there was “Zaporozhets”!).
Classic low level of quality and reliability, but it looks not bad, and they even participated in rallies! 9th place – ZiL-117
A real dictator’s car – big, scary and very rare. The main design elements were “borrowed” from the capitalist Chrysler Imperial. This mastodon replaced the previous ZiL-114, inheriting the same 300 horsepower engine. This didn’t much facilitate dynamic driving, as this “armored train” almost weighed 3 tons!
8th place – SZD
Commonly known as the “invalid.” After all, this vehicle (it barely qualifies as a “car”) was practically never sold. The state gave away the SZD almost for free or in a 5-year installment plan for those most in need. Healthy people simply couldn’t obtain such a “delight.”
7th place – GAZ-21 Volga
The one and only. The equivalent of the Citroen DS in France. The dream of every Soviet person, the star of many movies, and just a big thing that provided from 70 to 85 horses and not every day.
Of course, there were other versions, the most interesting, in our opinion, was the KGB Edition with a V8 from “Chaika” – the Soviet BMW M5 with 160 or 195 horsepower. 6th place – Tatra 603
This pride of the Czechoslovak automotive industry was quite an unusual car. Not only because of its size and appearance. There were three generations of this model. But the peculiarity was that when a new generation was released, the cars of previous model years were returned to the factory where all old parts were replaced with analogous ones from the new generation.
Under the large hood, you could most often find a not-small V8. 5th place – Melkus RS 1000
This car can boldly compete for the title of “Soviet sports car”! Well, at least considering its appearance. Beneath the lightweight body of awesomely classic design was a very modest technical filling – a liter three-cylinder 50 horsepower two-stroke engine from Wartburg 353. So the concept of speed was something this car could only guess about.
What a pity. 4th place – Stratopolonez
Everyone knows the car, Lancia Stratos. A legend of rally tracks, a rare representative of the great Group B, having rear-wheel drive with such insane power. So, imagine this masterpiece of automotive art wrapped in the shell of the Polish Polonez. This mixture even managed to win a race, despite three spins around its axis!
3rd place – ZiL-112 Sport
The only creation of the Likhachev plant that knew what speed was. A light and compact body, fitted on an 8-cylinder from ZiL-111 that was revved up to 230 horses, endowed this Soviet Ferrari 250 TR with remarkable dynamics, and radial tires, disc brakes, and a limited-slip differential – with good handling! 2nd place – Trabant 601
The embodiment of the “genius” of East German automotive industry. The body was made from some clever alloy, not the kind that is carbon, but rather more like cardboard! This “box on wheels” was moved by small and pathetic engines.
But all is forgiven for the cute design of the Eastern European Mini. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the demand for these “visitors from the past” raised their value significantly! 1st place – Lada Niva
Brits call the Niva the “communist Land Rover.” There is something to it, as old Clarkson was calmly able to light up while navigating British off-road! This “Nivalution” can rightly be considered the most successful product of Soviet car industry. After all, this is essentially the first crossover, which appeared in 1977 with an independent front suspension and a unitized body with very solid off-road capabilities.
Moreover, in case of a breakdown, everything is in the hands of the owner! Literally. With help from – Online store of used tires
TL
