14 of the most unusual Soviet cars that prove that the auto industry in the USSR was not so simple (15 photos)

During the Soviet Union, quite a lot of unique and original car models were created, which still arouse the interest and admiration of car enthusiasts. Unfortunately, most of them disappeared forever, remaining only in photographs.





Some surviving specimens rest in museums, delighting the eyes of rare visitors. However, despite all this, we still have the opportunity to admire the fantasies of Soviet designers who wanted to give the citizens of the USSR unique and truly high-quality cars. Let's do it right now!

IMZ-NAMI-A50 “Squirrel” (1955)



The miniature funny car is an early prototype of the Zaporozhets. It had a rather unusual design - the interior was sort of moved back. The car got its name for its resemblance to a cute rodent.

ZIS 112 “Cyclops” (1951)





In 1951, the Soviet Union saw its first large-class sports car. The American Buick LeSabre was used as a prototype for its creation.

Moskvich-2144 “Istra” (1985)



Moskvich-2144 is a car that was ahead of its time. Its engine could use diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene and even vegetable oil as fuel.

Moskvich 408 “Tourist” (1967)



The “Tourist” was made on the basis of the Moskvich-408, which in the 1960s was distinguished by a rather beautiful and elegant body. Convertible in the USSR? This is something truly incredible.

Minibus "Start" (1963)



The minibus had an unusual futuristic design and could accommodate up to 10 people.

SMZ S-1L (1952)



This is a two-seater, three-wheeled vehicle designed for people with disabilities. Its weight was 275 kilograms, and the maximum speed did not exceed 30 km/h.

YATB-3 (1939)



It was a double-decker trolleybus. Unfortunately, the car has not survived to this day. The photo shows a copy that was built specifically for the film “Spy” (2012).

"Pangolina" (1980)



The car was assembled by Soviet engineer Alexander Kulygin from Ukhta. The design of the project was inspired by the Lamborghini Countach.

NAMI-1 (1927)



The first passenger car developed under Soviet rule. By the way, he was right-hand drive.

Soviet half-track vehicle GAZ-VM (1937)



The car existed in two versions - with a passenger body "phaeton" and with a cargo "pickup".

LuAZ-967 (1965)



A four-wheel drive vehicle that could swim. The car moved through the water by rotating its wheels at speeds of up to 3 km/h. Isn't that impressive?

VNIITE-PT (1964)



A Soviet taxi from the 1960s, which completely passed all tests and tests, but was never released on the roads of the USSR.

ZIS-101 “Sport” (1939)



The car was produced in a single copy in Moscow.

GAZ-SG3 "Strela" (1952-1954)



The world's first car with a turboactive engine.