by It is hard to believe, but expensive elite imported cars could be seen on the streets of Kyiv 50-60 years ago. Of course, at that time it was not possible to import a new foreign car and Ukrainians were forced to buy Zaporizhzhia at Mustang prices. Nevertheless, there were plenty of trophy cars in Kyiv, brought by Soviet officers and generals from Germany at the end of World War II. According to Auto-Consulting, among them were real masterpieces and rarities. Rare photos of trophy cars have been preserved by automotive historian Leonid Gogolev.
Maybach SW38 (1937) 6 cyl. – 3.8 L – 140 hp – 140 km/h
The first Maybach in Ukraine was not owned by Chernovetskyi. Back in the 1950s, a convertible Maybach SW38 with a body by Spohn was driving around Kyiv. Currently, such a car costs about a million dollars.
Horch 830 (1938) V8 – 3.8 L – 92 hp – 125 km/h
There were several luxurious Horch limousines in Ukraine, and one of them was recently spotted in Kamianets-Podilskyi.
In Kyiv, a Horch 830 with a 92-horsepower V8 was driving around.
Horch 853A (1937) 8 cyl. – 4.9 L – 120 hp – 135 km/h
The luxurious Horch 853A convertible is one of the most expensive pre-war models in Germany. These cars have long since been taken up by collectors and museums.
Mercedes-Benz 320 (1937) 6 cyl.
– 3.2 L/3.4 L – 78 hp – 126 km/h
In Kyiv, there were both sedans and convertibles of the Mercedes-Benz 320. A total of 5211 of these cars were produced from 1937 to 1942.
BMW 327 (1937) 6 cyl. – 2.0 L – 55 hp – 115 km/h
The sporty BMW roadster is a real rarity now, but there were at least two of them on Kyiv’s streets. Fewer than 2000 of these cars were produced and they were equipped with custom bodies by Autenrieth and Ambi-Budd.
Ford V8 (1937) V8 – 3.6 L – 90 hp – 135 km/h
Not everyone knows that the famous Ford V8 was made under license in Germany. They even produced such luxurious convertibles with a body by Glaser. By the way, instead of a trunk, the car had an extra “mother-in-law seat.”
Tatra 87 (1936) V8 – 3.0 L – 75 hp – 160 km/h
The Tatra 87 is one of the most innovative cars of its time. Just judge for yourself: a rear-mounted air-cooled V8, an aerodynamic body, a swiveling front headlight. Some of the cars were trophies, others were supplied to the USSR from Czechoslovakia after the war.
Steyr/Fiat 6C 1500 6 cyl. – 1.5 L – 45 hp – 115 km/h
The streamlined roadster boasted an exclusive body by the Italian atelier Ghia. Only a few of these cars were built.
