Forgotten Soviet roadster "Leningrad" - he could give odds to the American auto industry

The Russian land was famous for its unique craftsmen. No wonder such heroes are often found in folk tales and classical literature. Danilo, Lefty - this is not a complete list.


In the Soviet Union, especially the early one, inventors were given the "green color". The country was in dire need of technology. To survive surrounded by capitalists, Stalin used the "carrot and stick" method.

For any useful invention they gave out prizes, sent them to responsible positions. Only it was not possible to rest on our laurels - as soon as we stumbled, punishment immediately followed. Therefore, the inventors were people with a "burning heart". They were not interested, as a rule, in material goods. They lived with their ideas and tried to turn them into reality, to make their native country better.


It was such a passionate person who created the Leningrad roadster, which is now forgotten. This is a unique car for its time, shown to the public in 1956. Then the car disappeared somewhere - since the beginning of the 1960s, information about it has been lost.

But now the roadster "Leningrad" exists. Although it is not quite the original, it was restored as accurately as possible. We have tried to collect all the data about this unique car, its creator and revival.

Where do the "legs" grow from

Let's start from the beginning of the 1950s. The Soviet Union has already managed to recover from the consequences of the war. The auto industry is developing rapidly, but more in the cargo industry. But what about - the country is rebuilding, new lands are being developed. This requires trucks, tractors and special equipment.


However, cars were also produced and even sold to everyone. The people just didn't have money. Only new intellectuals could afford a car - engineers, singers, artists, professors, military officers in ranks.

The following models were on sale:

✅ ZMA-400 "Moskvich"
✅ M-20 Pobeda
✅ GAZ-67
✅ ZIM-12
✅ ZIS-110

The last two cars are generally available only to the elite.

But almost all Soviet men wanted to ride. Many had a driver's license, but it was impossible to buy a car. Some were content with motorcycles, but there was a whole cohort of "homemade". Entire sections were dedicated to them in Soviet magazines. It was difficult to create something in the absence of a base, but the craftsmen somehow got out.

help yourself

There was enough information in the magazines of the USSR in order to build some simple car, motorcycle or tractor. They just looked, as a rule, primitive. But magazines from the GDR often fell into the hands of Soviet "home-made people". Much less often it was possible to get the press from the USA and "decaying" Europe. However, the latter in the early 50s did not please motorists with luxury.


Soviet inventors were especially struck by the design of American models. Of course, it was difficult to make a car in this style, but some tried.

The state did not interfere with the enthusiasm of its citizens. If they managed to get the necessary components and assemblies for building a car, no problem. A homemade vehicle could be officially registered. Of course, for this it was necessary to pass a series of tests.

The author of the roadster "Leningrad"

One of the Soviet "homemade" was Babich Arkady Dmitrievich. This design engineer was fond of auto racing and participated in them personally. Only he did not have his own car, like most Soviet citizens in the late 40s.


When exactly Babich began his career as a designer is unknown. In 1952, Arkady Dmitrievich "cut" through the streets of Leningrad on a simple home-made - a compact subcompact car with a motorcycle engine.

Judging by the fact that the engine was V2, it can be assumed that this is an American power unit, from Harley or Indiana. But it is known for sure that the homemade product was officially registered. And she moved slowly, which did not suit the creator.

Therefore, Babich decided to make a new car - this time fast, beautiful and sporty. He did it.

The appearance of the roadster "Leningrad"

To create a new car "homemade" managed to get one of the best engines of his time. This is a motor from GAZ-12, better known as ZIM. The designer was lucky - in the early 50s, all cars were sold freely to the public, as well as power units for them.


The "donor" engine had a volume of 3,5 liters and developed a power of 90 hp. With. This is a six-cylinder power unit with a carburetor power system. GAZ-100 ZIM accelerated to 12 km / h in 37 seconds. Now it seems ridiculous, but for its time - an excellent result.

Together with the motor, a mechanical gearbox with a hydraulic clutch works in tandem. Babich used this knot in his car as well.
It took several years to create the Leningrad roadster. The designer began to assemble in 1953 and finished in 1956.


The roadster was often written about in the Soviet automotive press, but it became world famous thanks to a foreigner. John Schultz accidentally saw "Leningrad" on the street and photographed it.

Improvements and tests

Technical information on the homemade roadster has not been preserved. But it is known for sure that he could accelerate to 180 km / h. This is 50% more than ZIM. It is believed that Babich managed to achieve such a speed due to the lightening of the car.


But, most likely, the designer finalized the engine. Do not forget that he was a race car driver, and in those days they independently “finished” serial power units.


"Homemade" did not just cope with this - the rally was completed after 20 hours. The average speed of the car, it turns out, was about 105 km / h. Keep in mind that this is 1959.

Fate of the original and revival

Where did Leningrad go after the rally - no one knows. He disappeared from the field of view of journalists.


As it turned out, the car was sold. It is not known whether the owner or one of his relatives did it. It is possible that the car was even taken away. Or the designer donated it to the state. And there was already a man who decided that the car would look better in a personal garage.

"Surfaced" roadster "Leningrad" in the early 90's. Surprisingly, it was sold through a regular free classifieds newspaper.
The car turned into trash, the place of which is in a landfill:

✅ The body is rotted, as is the power frame
✅ The engine is gone
✅ Nothing left of the original paint
✅ Machine dismantled

And they asked for this scrap metal 6 thousand dollars. At that time, this was the price of half an apartment in St. Petersburg.


The car was purchased. It was eventually restored, although it is rather a different car. All body parts, like the frame, had to be changed. The value of the original is only in the fact that it helped to maintain the dimensions and give an understanding of the proportions. But to recreate the appearance had to use archival photographs.

Now "Leningrad" is in one of the Latvian automobile museums. The car is on the "combat" course and even stands at the registration. This hints that she can legally drive on the roads.