Where can I find an imported Russian automobile?

[prince_alfie]

Okay, just wondering where I can find an importer for Russian automobiles? It would be cool to have a unique vehicle.

[BillyB]

You could probably import one yourself buying it overseas and dealing with a local shipping company who sails over there or who has connections with the foreign shipping company.

But you won't be able to license/legally drive the automobile on U.S. highways unless you donate a few of the same make/models to the agency in charge of testing vehicle safety to crash test. And that will not guarantee that you will be able to drive in legally unless it passes the safety crash testing.

[BC]

Meeting EPA and DOT standards will probably limit your choice to an oldtimer.

[Turboguy]

One of the guys who works for me has a Russian Motorcycle, a black one with a side car.  He actulally parks it on our front lawn and it attracts a ton of attention.

I am not sure a Lada would attract much notice.  To me they are a little drab.  I think there may be problems with EPA and DOT standards as well

When I get back home from Texas I may take a photo of the Motorcycle and post it.  It is sort of cool and some of you might enjoy seeing it.

[beattledog]

I think that are some Russian vehicles in the Lane car museum located in Nahville.  I do not think that these are for sale, but most cars in the museum have their car tags to that they can be driven on the road.

great beattledog

[catzenmouse]

You could always find an old Yugo. I remember seeing a few when I lived in Canada. They fall apart and break down a lot so it will be just like having a Lada 

Check out e-bay or use Bruno's best friend  Google and see what you get.

Ken

[prince_alfie]

Indeed, I think that if I can get an exemption from DOT then it would not have to worry about emission testing? I see a few people driving old school antique cars around SLC so it's probably a maybe for an old school Soviet car...

Of course, the irony was that I saw a lot of Russians at the Russian club driving BMW and Toyota's to Arbat this weekend. Alas, the allure of European/Japanese vehicles!

[jb]

It becomes obvious to everyone that prince-alfie has never been to the FSU if he thinks he'd like to own a Russian made car.  Spend a couple of weeks in Moscow and try to find a breath of fresh air anywhere, then tell us how you'd like to drive that kind of technology.

While Russian car manufacturing has produced some innovative design concepts over the years, (mostly in the old Volga line), Russian made cars are mostly junk. 

T/G,

About that Russian motorbike, is it a copy of the WWII vintage German BMW or perhaps the East German Zundapp?  Both have been manufactured in Russia and Poland I think.

[Jet]

To have one shipped:
http://www.ablecargo.com/

to buy one here:
http://www.americandreamcars.com/1975lada.htm

to buy Russian motorcycles in the US:
http://www.imz-ural.com/

[jb]

Jet,

Yeah, the Ural is the Russian copy of the BMW, complete to the flat twin cylinder 750cc engine, circa 1940's.  If it's the Zundapp copy, it will have an upright V-twin of probably less than 500cc's, but will still have the shaft drive instead of a chain.  I've seen both machines and they are not bad looking bikes if you like the classic style.  However, the ones I've seen were smokers and leakers after a few miles.  Maybe the ones made for the US market are better built than the ones sold in Russia.

edit:
The Polish made Zundapp also makes a flat twin BMW lookalike now,  (I just looked it up)

[prince_alfie]

Well, thanks! That was an awesome link. Of course, the good thing is that I can add the iPod docking station in it. Man, it will be a total blast to try to get some Steely Dan music through the steel doors

Yes, I know that it's not technologically up to date. But it will be a good pleasure ride for the same reasons that people drive Model T reconstructions on the road.

[Bruno]

It becomes obvious to everyone that prince-alfie has never been to the FSU if he thinks he'd like to own a Russian made car.

And it become obvious to everyone that JB is not more up-to-date... 

A new recent model from Russo-Baltique, called "Impression" is a real little bomb... Performance are almost equal to a Ferrari... engine is a Mercedes collaboration...



Of course, quality have a price... They will be delivered at a rate of three per year and with a price tag of 50 million rubles or 1.8 million dollars 



Outwardly, the car is thoroughly modern: it has sweeping lines and unusual proportions which could only come from such a distinct area. Inside, the interior is trumped by an extensive use of Zebrano wood which is hand crafted from a single Trunk of the African tree.



The Impression is powered by a Mercedes-Benz V12 which offers 555 bhp. Its chassis is made from carbon fibre to ensure both ample weight and rigidity.



A older USSR car who is very beautiful : the "Pobeda"



The new Skoda prototype is not bad ( Czech ):



For a lot of other model, take a look at http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/main-english.htm

[prince_alfie]

Wow, I am impressed. Maybe, maybe I will rethink my Mini Cooper route. Looks like a sleek roadster from outer space. Perfect.

[jb]

And it become obvious to everyone that JB is not more up-to-date...

Yes, jb is not up to date on 1.8 million dollar cars, produced at a rate of 3 per year.

jb was thinking more on the order of what jb has seen on the streets of Russia over the past umpteen years.

[Bruno]

Yes, jb is not up to date on 1.8 million dollar cars, produced at a rate of 3 per year.

jb was thinking more on the order of what jb has seen on the streets of Russia over the past umpteen years.

I was jooking with you... 

these expensive car is a extreme... but with time, russian industry is able to build some quality product... of course, these are more for export or the "new russian" since the "normal" population cannot pay these car...

Same the price of benzine is problem for some... i remember taxi chauffeur in Ukraine who stop the motor when the street go down for spare benzine 

Few russian buy new car, a lot choose for second hand... all these BMW in the Odessa street's are old model... Very few people can buy new car, Russian or foreign made !!!

[ConnerVT]

You shouldn't dismiss the Lada so quickly. (even if it IS designed jointly with Fiat!  )  My FIL has one that's 26 years old.  He has just about finished putting the second set of replacement body parts on it, and it passed it's inspection with the most minor of errors.  Considering the potholes he drives around are sometimes bigger than the car itself, I'm still amazed how well the thing runs.

Of course, for those who still have their heart set on a Russian car, I believe it is Volga who just purchased the entire manufacturing line (tooling) for the Dodge Stratus...   

[BillyB]

Considering the link Jet put up, that particular Lada(Fiat) is street legal and parts are available in auto part stores. Prince Alphie, they advertise this car to be an incredible attention getter. I'm sure the girls are going to line up for a ride!
http://www.americandreamcars.com/1975lada.htm

[prince_alfie]

Of course, the point isn't to have a fancy car but a unique one that expresses your personality. How boring would driving a Hummer be since everyone in Park City wears one! 

[Maxx2]

I think Prince_Alfie should buy Jet's '75 Lada and set it aside for his RW when she arrives. He could even take pictures of it and send them with his introductory letters. That will make quite an impression...


Maxx: always thinking

[prince_alfie]

Jet, how much can I buy your Lada for?

[Jet]

Not my Lada, just a link to one I found online, for sale.

[Admin]

Not my Lada, just a link to one I found online, for sale.

Jet!

Are you REALLY starting a Lada dealership?!?

Get in on the 'ground' floor!

- Dan

[BillyB]

Jet has been selling vehicles for quite a while. Along I-5 in the State of Washington, there's a dealership called Jet Chevrolet with a Mig jet on display! What I really want to know is where can I pick up one of these Soviet trucks? Ya think I can get this thing to pass a crash test and become street legal?

[BC]

That's one heck of a phallic symbol Billy.. I could think of a nice paint job that would get you lots of attention.. heck when you see a nice girl you could always hit the 'raise' button   

[BC]

Lada's are built to rock and roll!

Think the last car in the video is a Lada.. hit the side, rolled and then probably drove away with a broken headlight.

I think I'll just have to get one with a couple extra sets of head/tail lights for my wife.