The Rostov region government has announced an auction for the Soviet executive sedan known as the Chaika, GAZ-14, a move confirmed on the region’s official portal. This sale captures a piece of Cold War era design that still sparks interest among collectors, historians, and enthusiasts of vintage Russian automotive engineering. The planned auction underscores the region’s approach to managing its historic vehicle assets while inviting potential buyers to participate in preserving a notable relic of state transport history.
According to a party statement, the 1982 GAZ-14 car in question has traveled approximately 73,000 kilometers and now requires repair. The engine is missing attachments, including two carburetors, which are typically installed as needed. The vehicle features an automatic transmission but lacks a torque converter. In addition, the braking system has been removed, doors are missing, and corrosion has affected the body. These conditions indicate that the car is not currently operable, and the auction will proceed with a starting price of 365 thousand rubles. Such details are typical of assets that have sat in storage and are offered to the public in a state of repair or restoration needs, appealing to collectors or restoration shops capable of bringing the Chaika back to life.
The Seagull, as the GAZ-14 was codenamed during its production, belongs to the second generation of this iconic line and bears the factory index GAZ-14. It rolled off the lines at the Gorky Automobile Plant, with production spanning from 1977 to 1988. In total, 1114 units of this generation were produced, marking the GAZ-14 as a limited but historically significant model within the Soviet automotive landscape. The specific Car offered in Rostov-on-Don carries the serial number 258, a detail that appeals to registries and collectors who track production runs and provenance. This information enriches the narrative around the vehicle, helping bidders verify origin and lineage as they consider restoration feasibility and potential value after refurbishment.
In a broader context, news of the auction arrives as figures for the new car market in Russia continue to fluctuate. Recent reports have highlighted a decline in average new car costs, a trend noted as dipping by several sources during the mid-year period. The auctioned GAZ-14 sits in contrast to modern market conditions, representing a tangible link to a bygone era of executive transport and state craftsmanship. For bidders, the price point of 365 thousand rubles serves as a starting benchmark, subject to competition and the specifics of restoration work required. This kind of asset sale is common for regional government fleets and state-owned holdings that transition from active use to preservation, opening doors for collectors to acquire pieces with historical resonance and potential future value after careful restoration.