The GAZ M21 Volga is an automobile produced in the Soviet Union by GAZ ("Gorki Automobiljni Zavod", in English: "Gorky automobile factory") from 1956 to 1970. When in 1959 the 6-cylinder line of GAZ cars was discontinued, the 4-cylinder Volga M-21 became the biggest and most luxurious car officially sold to individual owners in the USSR in large quantities, though its price was very high and made it unavailable for most car buyers. All the 334,812 M-21 Volgas that were produced by the GAZ factory were four-door sedans or station wagons.
Three series GAZ-21 were released, most easily distinguished by the grille. The First Series (1956–58), known as the Star, featured a lattice of three large horizontal bars in the centre of which was a medallion with a star. Vehicles of the Second Series (1958-1962), known as the Shark, featured a grille with 16 vertical slits. Finally, the Third Series (1962-1970), known as the Baleen, featured a grille with 34 thin vertical rods.
It was in 2001 that the Moscow-based company A: Level presented the Volga V12, an interpretation of what might have been a high-performance coupe derived from an M21. Ordered by a mysterious Mr. DZ, who will remain unique (at a cost of nearly half a million dollars). The style is perfectly successful, quite in the spirit of the Soviet cars while achieving the tour de force to appear muscular, racy, almost sporty although only the head- and taillights are from the original M-21. It uses a base of BMW 850i (slightly longer and wider) and its V12 of 380 hp of 5.7 liters. It is said to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The interior is also taken from the BMW, but covered with Alcantara and leather.
Despite the proposals, A: Level has always refused to produce other copies, remaining faithful to its line of conduct: One car, One customer! (boitierrouge.com, caranddriver.com)
It was in 2001 that the Moscow-based company A: Level presented the Volga V12, an interpretation of what might have been a high-performance coupe derived from an M21. Ordered by a mysterious Mr. DZ, who will remain unique (at a cost of nearly half a million dollars). The style is perfectly successful, quite in the spirit of the Soviet cars while achieving the tour de force to appear muscular, racy, almost sporty although only the head- and taillights are from the original M-21. It uses a base of BMW 850i (slightly longer and wider) and its V12 of 380 hp of 5.7 liters. It is said to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The interior is also taken from the BMW, but covered with Alcantara and leather.
Despite the proposals, A: Level has always refused to produce other copies, remaining faithful to its line of conduct: One car, One customer! (boitierrouge.com, caranddriver.com)
(Above) The factory version of a Series 3 GAZ Volga M21
Series 3 GAZ Volga M21 (1962-1970)
(Photos from gaz21.tut.nov.ru, caranddriver.com, boitierrouge.com)