
Development of GAZ M21 Volga started in November 1953. First sketches were made by a constructer Alexander Mihaylovich Nevzorov. The plan was to build a car that is capable to show possibilities of Russian engineers and companies and compete with American cars. The bodywork was a brand new.
Its design was a mixture of American and European vehicles from the 50’s. Its value of aerodynamic coefficient 0.42 means that aerodynamics isn’t on the first place. But its length 4.81 m predestines it to the bigger cars of upper-middle class. The car was equipped with a 3-wave radio, big electric clocks and chromed deer proudly soared on the hood. Volga was produced only with a few changes till the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Its design was a mixture of American and European vehicles from the 50’s. Its value of aerodynamic coefficient 0.42 means that aerodynamics isn’t on the first place. But its length 4.81 m predestines it to the bigger cars of upper-middle class. The car was equipped with a 3-wave radio, big electric clocks and chromed deer proudly soared on the hood. Volga was produced only with a few changes till the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Photogallery of original Volga M21:
Volga GAZ M21 vs. BMW 6

So what about to take the flagship of Russian fleet and play with it? But not a little bit, but modify it completely and make a really new car.
So what’s your opinion – to combine products of German and Russian engineering and create a retro car boosted with the up-to-date German techniques and wrap it into the design of the classic limousines for Soviet fat cats?
A team of enthusiasts has started to work on a difficult mission. They took a powerful BMW 6-series vehicle with a 4.6 liter engine and redesigned it to fit in the classic Volga M21.
The hood remains intact, only well known symbols and badge of manufacturer. A pair of xenon headlamps was added for better visibility.
The V8 4.6 engine with maximum output of 368 hp grants 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5 seconds. But who will chase this handsome?
So what’s your opinion – to combine products of German and Russian engineering and create a retro car boosted with the up-to-date German techniques and wrap it into the design of the classic limousines for Soviet fat cats?
A team of enthusiasts has started to work on a difficult mission. They took a powerful BMW 6-series vehicle with a 4.6 liter engine and redesigned it to fit in the classic Volga M21.
The hood remains intact, only well known symbols and badge of manufacturer. A pair of xenon headlamps was added for better visibility.
The V8 4.6 engine with maximum output of 368 hp grants 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5 seconds. But who will chase this handsome?

You can notice from side-view that the rear doors are missing. Yes, because the designers modified the stock 4-door bodywork to the coupe. That means the change of shorter doors to the longer ones for better get-in to the rear seats. Also Windows were changed, now they’re fully electronically controlled and completely retracted when the roof is open. Old wheels are history, now this ride has 19“ rims booted in low-profile tires.
The view form the rear reveals that the trunk is still the same but with a pair of new mufflers that have a clear German origin. The solid roof was simply cut-off and replaced with the similar one as we know in the case of Bavarian roadsters. Designers didn’t forget about a not very good aerodynamics so they added a glass deflector behind the rear seats to prevent air turbulence.
The interior is well known, but not from Volga, but from BMW of course. The interior was completely removed from BMW and replaced into their beauty. The whole interior is well-arranged and its ergonomics is perfect. Sporting feelings are boosted by great anatomical seats with draw-out seating and blow able sides. The steering-wheel is perfect too – trimmed with leather
The view form the rear reveals that the trunk is still the same but with a pair of new mufflers that have a clear German origin. The solid roof was simply cut-off and replaced with the similar one as we know in the case of Bavarian roadsters. Designers didn’t forget about a not very good aerodynamics so they added a glass deflector behind the rear seats to prevent air turbulence.
The interior is well known, but not from Volga, but from BMW of course. The interior was completely removed from BMW and replaced into their beauty. The whole interior is well-arranged and its ergonomics is perfect. Sporting feelings are boosted by great anatomical seats with draw-out seating and blow able sides. The steering-wheel is perfect too – trimmed with leather