GAZ21

The GAZ-21, commonly known as the Volga, is a Soviet passenger car produced by the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) from 1956 to 1970. It was designed to replace the GAZ-M20 Pobeda and became a symbol of Soviet automotive engineering for its era. The GAZ-21 was known for its robust construction, comfortable ride, and relatively good off-road capabilities for a passenger car, making it suitable for the varied road conditions in the Soviet Union.

The Volga was produced in several series, with distinct visual and mechanical changes. The first series, produced from 1956 to 1958, featured a distinctive chrome grille with vertical bars. The second series, from 1959 to 1962, introduced a more modern grille with horizontal bars and star emblem. The third series, produced from 1962 until the end of production in 1970, featured a grille with numerous vertical slots. Various body styles were offered, including a four-door sedan, a five-door station wagon (GAZ-22), and a limited number of coupes and convertibles for special occasions.

Under the hood, the GAZ-21 was initially powered by a 2.4-liter overhead valve inline-four engine. Later models received an updated engine, and some export versions were equipped with more powerful Ford-sourced V8 engines. Transmission options included a three-speed manual gearbox, with an optional automatic transmission available for a period, though it was less common. The GAZ-21 served as a popular car for the Soviet elite, taxi services, and police fleets, and it was also exported to many countries. Its successor was the GAZ-24.