Andrey Lipgart was a Russian automotive engineer who received formal training from the Ford Motor Company in the US. During his tenure at Ford, Mr. Lipgart carefully studied contemporary American automotive designs and assembly-line production. Following his return to the Soviet Union, he was named chief constructor at the Gorky Automobile Plant in Gorkovsky, Russia, and oversaw production of the GAZ-21 Volga. The 21 was a midsize sedan for the upper middle class and took inspiration from models like the Ford Mainline and Plymouth Savoy.

Unveiled at the 1970 British International Motor Show, the GAZ-24 Volga replaced the GAZ-21, which was initially designed in the 1950s. The 24 improved on the outgoing model with crisp, modern lines that gave the otherwise outdated chassis a contemporary look. The Volga was not initially available for the public and required a special-use permit, making it highly exclusive. Volgas were also built in right-hand drive for export markets and often used as taxis throughout the Soviet Union. The earliest ownership history of this GAZ-24 is not known, but it is accompanied by Russian traffic violation receipts from 1978, which indicate that it may be a domestic delivery example. Finished in elegant light gray paint with red upholstery, and presented in remarkably well-kept original condition, it is accompanied by an original owner’s manual, tool kit, jack, and documentation. This smartly proportioned Volga is a fascinating piece of Soviet automobile manufacturing history seldom seen or offered for sale in this country.