There in Ivanovo, a quiet revelation emerges from the glass. The car long at the center of the story is not simply a vehicle but a piece of history housed within the Museum of the Soviet Automobile Industry. Open since 2014, this museum sits on the grounds of a former car repair factory and carries a narrative of resilience. During the war years, repair specialists gathered wartime wrecks from the front and rebuilt them piece by piece, creating a fleet out of what remained. That historic transformation is remembered here in the very spaces that once fixed other vehicles.
Over time, the auto repair plant found a renewed purpose, returning PAZ and KAVZ buses to service for many years. Museum staff note that among the world’s collections, these buses were rarely overhauled so comprehensively; they simply completed their long journeys and then were retired. The coincidence of a museum devoted to automobile antiquity occupying the site of a former plant adds a poetic layer to the story, a reminder of how a place can evolve alongside the machines it once served.
The exhibits themselves offer a vivid window into a century of mobility. Among the standout pieces is a rare Pobeda convertible, a striking example captured in the accompanying video. Beside this, viewers can also explore the standard Pobeda M-20, a classic sedan that reflects the era’s design language. Adding to the intrigue is a unique SUV derived from the Pobeda lineage, the M-72. For enthusiasts and curious visitors alike, a closer look at these vehicles promises a compelling journey through design shifts, engineering constraints, and the tastes of their time.
Vote – win Lada!
Participants are invited to join the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix vote to help identify the most notable car introductions of the year. The process is straightforward: readers cast a vote for their preferred models, supporting the sense that automotive history is both a shared experience and a living conversation.
As a token of appreciation for the time spent, a drawing will be held among survey respondents. Three gift items will be awarded to winners, with eligibility open to everyone who completes the questionnaire before the stated deadline. The event is designed to engage a broad audience and to celebrate the newest arrivals in the automotive world while honoring the memory of enduring classics.
COMPLETE THE 2023 DRIVING GRAND PRIX QUESTIONNAIRE
Video: Youtube / Automotive Russia