Vladimir Vysotsky is not only a cult poet, actor and musician, but also a person with a bright, unique lifestyle. His car became as much a symbol of the era as the performer’s songs. Mercedes-Benz 350 SE - the car that Vysotsky drove in recent years - still arouses interest among fans and collectors.
This car is not just a means of transportation: it reflected the status of the owner, his tastes and even some character traits. In those days Mercedes-Benz was a symbol of success, an unaffordable luxury for most Soviet citizens. How did Vysotsky manage to acquire such a car? Where is she now? And why did this particular model become his choice? The answers to these questions are in our material.
How did Vysotsky acquire a Mercedes-Benz 350 SE?
Buying a foreign car in the USSR was an extremely complicated procedure. In the 1970s imported cars could only be afforded by high-ranking officials, artists with permits, or people who had access to foreign currency accounts. Vysotsky belonged to the latter - thanks to tours abroad, he had the opportunity to earn foreign currency.
According to the official version, Mercedes-Benz 350 SE (W116) was purchased in 1976 in Germany through intermediaries. The cost of the car at that time was approx. DM 20,000 - at that time it was a lot of money. There is a legend that part of the amount was lent to Vysotsky by his friend, an actor. Nikolay Gubenko, but there is no evidence of this.
- 💰 Issue price: 20,000 DM (≈ 140,000 rubles at the exchange rate of that time).
- 📅 Year of purchase: 1976 (according to the most reliable version).
- 🚗 Model: Mercedes-Benz 350 SE (W116) — flagship business class sedan.
- 🔧 Feature: The car was brought to the USSR with personal permission.
Interesting fact: to avoid problems with customs, the car was registered in the name of Vysotsky’s wife, Marina Vladi. This was a common practice among Soviet celebrities who bought foreign cars abroad.
Technical characteristics of Mercedes-Benz 350 SE (W116)
Mercedes-Benz W116 - the first generation of the S-Class, released in 1972. Model 350 SE equipped 3.5 liter V8 engine that developed 200 hp — at that time it was a very powerful car. Gearbox - automatic 4-speed, which was also rare in the USSR.
Vysotsky's car had the following key features:
| Parameter | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5 L V8 (M116), 200 hp at 5800 rpm |
| Gearbox | Automatic, 4 steps |
| Max. speed | 205 km/h |
| Acceleration 0–100 km/h | 9.5 seconds |
| Body color | Dark green metallic (according to the memoirs of contemporaries) |
The car was equipped power steering, air conditioning (rare for the USSR) and electrical package. The interior features leather trim, wooden inserts and even Blaupunkt radio tape recorder - luxury by the standards of those years.
⚠️ Attention: In the USSR spare parts for Mercedes-Benz were practically inaccessible. Vysotsky had to import them from abroad or turn to “shadow” craftsmen who knew how to repair foreign cars.
How did Vysotsky use his car?
The car was not just a vehicle, but part of Vysotsky’s image. He often took friends on it - actors, musicians, poets. There have been cases when the machine was used for informal meetings or even impromptu concerts in the salon.
According to memories Valeria Zolotukhina, Vysotsky loved drive at high speed, despite the bad roads. One day he even got into an accident in this Mercedes, but the car did not suffer any serious damage.
- 🎤 Mobile "club of interests": New songs were often played in the salon, roles in the theater were discussed.
- 🚔 Problems with traffic police: The foreign car attracted the attention of the police, but Vysotsky was usually “not touched” because of his status.
- 🛠️ Repair and maintenance: The car was repaired in special workshops for diplomats.
If you own a vintage car, keep all records of repairs and spare parts - this significantly increases its collectible value.
What happened to the car after Vysotsky’s death?
After the poet's death in 1980 the car remained with his family. According to one version, Marina Vladi I used the car for some time, but later sold it due to difficulties with maintenance. There are several legends about the further fate Mercedes:
- Version 1: The car was sold to a collector in Germany.
- Version 2: The car remained in the USSR and rotted in one of the parking lots.
- Version 3: Mercedes was repainted and refitted, after which it went to the Baltic states.
To date the exact location of the car is unknown. In the 2010s, information appeared in the press that the car was found in Lithuania, but there is no evidence of this. If the car was preserved, its value at auctions could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
⚠️ Attention: There are often scammers on the market who issue regular Mercedes W116 for "Vysotsky's car". Before purchasing a vintage car, always check the history using the VIN code!
How to check the authenticity of a vintage car?
To do this, you need to request archived data from the manufacturer (Mercedes-Benz Classic Center), check the body and engine numbers for compliance, and also study the ownership history. In the case of Vysotsky’s car, additional evidence could be photographs or documents with his signature.
Why Mercedes? Alternative versions
Although Mercedes-Benz 350 SE is Vysotsky’s most famous car; there are also references to other cars he drove. For example:
- 🚗 Volga GAZ-21: At the beginning of his career, Vysotsky sometimes used the service "Volgas" of the Taganka Theater.
- 🚖 Taxi: In Moscow, he often traveled by regular taxis, especially during periods when his personal car was under repair.
- 🏍️ Motorcycle "Ural": There are photographs where Vysotsky is captured on a Soviet motorcycle, but it was more of a hobby than the main transport.
However namely Mercedes became a symbol of Vysotsky the motorist. Perhaps the choice was due to:
- 🌍 Western tours: In France and Germany, he saw how the stars lived and wanted the same.
- 🎭 Image: Mercedes emphasized his status as an “informal leader” of Soviet bohemia.
- 🔧 Reliability: German cars were famous for their quality, which was important in the absence of service in the USSR.
How would Vysotsky’s car be assessed today?
If only Mercedes-Benz 350 SE Vladimir Vysotsky has been preserved in its original condition, its value at auctions could be from 150,000 to 300,000 euros. For comparison:
- 💎 Regular W116 in good condition: 20,000–50,000 euros.
- 🎤 Celebrity car: The price increases 3–5 times due to the historical value.
- 📜 With documents and proof of authenticity: Could reach half a million euros.
Key factors influencing price:
☑️ What increases the cost of a retro car?
For comparison: in 2021 Mercedes 280 SE John Lennon was sold for $300,000, although it was not in perfect condition. Vysotsky’s car, if positioned correctly, could exceed this amount.
Celebrity cars are not just transport, but part of cultural heritage. Their value is determined not only by their technical condition, but also by the history associated with the owner.
Where can you see cars associated with Vysotsky?
Unfortunately, the original Mercedes-Benz 350 SE Vysotsky is not exhibited in any museum. However, there are several places where you can see cars that are in one way or another connected with the poet’s era:
-
Museum of Retro Cars in Riga (Latvia):
There are Soviet and Western cars from the 1970s and 1980s on display, including Mercedes W116 (not Vysotsky, but the same model).
-
Vadim Zadorozhny Museum in Moscow:
The collection includes foreign cars that drove around the USSR in those years, including Volvo and BMW.
-
Vysotsky House-Museum on Taganka:
There are no cars here, but the exhibition recreates the atmosphere of that time, including the poet’s personal belongings.
If you want to see a car as close as possible to the one Vysotsky drove, pay attention to vintage car clubs in Russia and the Baltic states. Exhibitions are often held there where you can meet Mercedes-Benz W116 in original condition.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Vysotsky’s car
🔍 What car did Vysotsky drive before Mercedes?
In the early 1970s he used official Volga GAZ-21 and Seagulls, as well as taxis. The first personal foreign car was precisely Mercedes-Benz 350 SE.
💸 How much did Vysotsky’s Mercedes cost in terms of modern money?
20,000 German marks (1976) is approximately 100,000–150,000 euros in today's terms taking into account inflation. For comparison: new Lada then it cost about 7,000 rubles (≈ 500 euros).
🚗 Where is Vysotsky’s car now?
The exact location is unknown. The last time information about her appeared was in the 2010s, but there is no confirmation. The car may have been scrapped or is in a private collection.
🎬 Was Vysotsky’s car in the films?
No, Mercedes 350 SE didn't act in films. However, in the filmThe meeting place cannot be changed"(1979) Vysotsky goes to Volga GAZ-24 — this is his hero’s car, not a personal car.
🔧 Is it possible to restore such a Mercedes today?
Yes, but it will require large investments. Spare parts for W116 You can still find them, but you will have to look for original parts (for example, interior trim) at a disassembly site or order replicas. A complete restoration can cost 50,000–100,000 euros.