How the GAZ-21 Volga became the way we know it

Volga is a legendary Soviet car. In the USSR, it was impossible to buy it just like that. It was possible to become the owner of a GAZ car only for special services to the Motherland. Although, sometimes ordinary Soviet citizens were lucky - a prestigious car could be won in the lottery.


The most famous Volga in history is the GAZ-21. This is the first model in the series - it is still popular, attracts a lot of attention on the roads and is appreciated by fans of domestic retro technology.

History of creation

Work on the GAZ-21 Volga began in 1952. Before the model was approved, two artists worked on it. For John Williams, the project was called "Star", and for Lev Eremeev - "Volga".


In 1953, both artists presented their layouts. Williams' car looked more modern. Eremeev, who better understood Soviet realities and the capabilities of the Gorky Plant, proposed a machine that could be put into mass production faster.



Nevzorov was appointed the designer responsible for the development of the running model of the Volga, and Borisov was in charge of the project. In the spring of 1954, the first three prototypes of the future Volga were ready. Interestingly, two cars received automatic transmissions, and only one manual.

Prototypes were sent for testing along with models:

✅ GAZ Pobeda
✅ ZIM
✅ Several foreign cars of the same class

Naturally, the cars were tested in the conditions of Soviet reality, which foreign-made cars could not bear. They were inferior to the future "Volga" both in terms of reliability and cross-country ability.


In 1955, the Gorky Automobile Plant produced several pre-production GAZ-21 Volga. The cars were sent to the Moscow-Crimea mileage, after which they were transferred to one of the taxi companies.

In 1956, GAZ produced a batch of several dozen Volga. All these cars were operated in public institutions and refined as shortcomings were identified.

The first series of GAZ-21

Serial "Volga" in fact appeared in 1957. Then the designers seriously planned to establish the production of cars with automatic transmissions.

Having released about 700 copies with automatic transmission in two years, it was decided to abandon this unit. In the USSR, it was simply not possible to establish the production of special oils, and they could only repair “automatic machines” at the GAZ plant. The rest of the GAZ-21 of the first series, which were collected by more than 31 thousand, received a manual transmission.


Early "Volga" were produced until 1958 inclusive. It is not difficult to distinguish them visually - they have a radiator grille with three horizontal beams and a star in the middle and a deer figurine on the hood.

Second series

At the end of 1958, the updated GAZ-21 Volga appeared. Cars have been modernized, at the same time a little easier. This time the model received a "toothy" grille. The deer on the hood is preserved.

The first two years, the cars did not differ in technical terms from the versions of the first series. In addition to the "toothy" grille, they received new front "turn signals" and modified bumpers.


Technical changes to the Volga took place in 1960. The car received new wiring, the centralized lubrication system was removed, and the instrument panel was sheathed with suede on top.

Third episode

In 1962, the last generation of the GAZ-21 Volga appeared. It was the most massive and was produced for 8 years. It is these cars that are now the easiest to buy on the used market.

By the way, since we touched on the cost - for the GAZ-21 "Volga" they ask from 35 rubles, but these are, as a rule, "grown into the ground" specimens. For something that can move independently, you will have to pay about 000 thousand.

The maximum value depends on the owner. There are copies for which they ask for more than 9 million rubles. Although, if you search, you can find a carefully restored car for 600 thousand.


GAZ-21 "Volga" of the third series is simplified externally, has lost a number of decorative elements, for example, the famous deer on the hood. You can also immediately distinguish a car of this modification by a radiator grille with frequent vertical “teeth”.

GAZ-21 "Volga" was produced in several versions:

✅ Basic (P)
✅ Export (C)
✅ Improved (CS)
✅ For taxi (TS)

In addition to standard sedans, there was a station wagon version. It is rare and has the GAZ-22 index.

Is it true that GAZ-21 was copied from Ford?

Among motorists with experience who remember the Soviet auto industry and once, or maybe now, operating it, there is a legend that the Volga is a copy of the American Ford Mainline.

If you look at the photo of Ford, it seems that it looks like a GAZ-21. But this is a myth. You need to start with the fact that the Soviet industry in those years tried to keep up with the times and copied the best ideas of world automotive fashion.


Then the United States was a trendsetter, so the GAZ-21 received such a body design. In America, there were several models that looked like the Volga. Yes, the artists and designers of the Gorky Plant studied foreign-made cars, but this is a generally accepted world practice.

As for the Ford Mainline, everything is much simpler with it. It is unreasonable to think that Gorky's artists and designers could steal the drawings of a model that had not yet been launched into mass production. The first prototypes of the GAZ-21 Volga appeared in early 1954, and Ford began to assemble only a few months later.

The technical features of the Gorky sedan had nothing to do with the American model, apart from the fact that it was also a rear-wheel drive car. At the domestic "Volga" components and assemblies are partially unified with the "Pobeda" - this was necessary for the speedy launch of the car in a series.

Which model is valued by collectors?

If you analyze the used car market, you can see that for the GAZ-21 of the first and second series, they usually ask for more. In principle, there are no special differences in the design of the Volga, depending on its generation. Collectors simply traditionally appreciate rare specimens.


Less on sale is the GAZ-21 of the first series. There is nothing strange about this - they are old, and there are few such cars produced.

It is believed that the GAZ-21 of the first series is the most beautiful. This is true - the model was developed with an eye on the US auto industry, it was supposed to turn out to be monumental, to carry the greatness of the Soviet country to the masses. Hence all these decorative details, chrome, a star on the grille and a deer on the hood.

For a collector, the GAZ-21 of the first series will be the most valuable acquisition. If you plan to buy a car for yourself, then you need to think about it. It is difficult to keep such a Volga in the original, and getting parts is also expensive. Of course, you can install spare parts from later generations, but then it will be a kind of combined hodgepodge, and not a “thoroughbred” first series.


Cars of the second version were also produced for a short time - two years. Therefore, they are valued almost on par with the previous modification. Due to the characteristic "toothy" grille, this "Volga" looks aggressive, but at the same time rustic.

GAZ-21 of the third series are less valued due to their prevalence. Collectors, as a rule, are not interested in this model, especially Russian ones. But the car is popular for commercial use - at weddings and photo shoots.

GAZ-21 "Volga" is a landmark car of the Gorky plant. For now, this legend can be purchased inexpensively, although, you need to understand that the retro model should be stored in a heated garage and looked after. On Volga Street in a couple of years it will turn into a pile of scrap metal.