Making a round trip of over 6,000 kilometres (4,000 or so miles) from Moscow to the Silverstone Classic event (which runs from 26th to 28th July) are two intrepid members of the Russian GAZ-21 Car Club, in a pair of classic Volgas. Vladimir Smagin and Dmitry Kilpio will be travelling via Minsk, Warsaw, Poznan, Hannover, Antwerpe, Brugge and London, on their way to Silverstone.
Over 8,200 classics are due to attend the event at the famous race circuit in Northamptonshire, but the Volgas will be among the most unusual exhibits, and will prove that interest in classic vehicles is not limited by international boundaries. These Russian machines will rub shoulders with a myriad of classics of all types, and including the Aston Martins, Lamborghinis and Porsche 911s, all celebrating significant historical milestones this year.
Originally developed in 1956 with official U.S.S.R. State approval, the Volga GAZ-21 was built to a design which echoed many aspects of contemporary American vehicles. During the following 14 years, a total of 639,478 Volgas were produced, including a special V8-powered, 100+ mph GAZ-23 version intended for Soviet special services.
If you live closer to Northamptonshire than Moscow, and would like to attend, adult tickets are priced from £35 (plus ‘fees’), and more information is available from www.silverstone.com