Cars of Vladimir Vysotsky: what cars the poet had and how they are connected with his life

Vladimir Vysotsky is not only a cult poet, actor and musician, but also a man whose life was closely connected with cars. Cars for him were not just a means of transportation, but part of his image, a tool for work, and even a source of inspiration. Question "what kind of car did Vysotsky have" interests fans of his work no less than the details of his biography or the lyrics of his songs.

The cars in Vysotsky’s life reflected his character: powerful, sometimes eccentric, always memorable. From Soviet classics to foreign rarities, each car had its own history. In this article we will look at all famous cars of Bard, their technical features, circumstances of purchase and myths that are associated with them.

It is worth noting that information about Vysotsky’s cars is often contradictory. Much of the data is based on the memories of friends, interviews and archival photographs. We have collected the most reliable facts, excluding speculation and speculation.

1. Volga GAZ-21 - Vysotsky’s first car

The first car of Vladimir Semyonovich was the legendary "Volga" GAZ-21 - a symbol of the Soviet automobile industry of the 1960s. He bought the car in 1965, when he had already started earning money from concerts and filming. The cost of the Volga at that time was about 5,500 rubles - at that time this was serious money (the average salary in the USSR was about 100 rubles per month).

"Volga" was not just a vehicle, but part of the image. Vysotsky went on tour with it, took friends with him, and even used it as a “rehearsal base.” The guitar often sounded in the car, and the lyrics of new songs were born right on the road. I wonder what the bard never hid his attitude towards Volga: In one interview, he called her “reliable, but capricious.”

• 🔧 Specifications: 2.4-liter engine (70 hp), maximum speed - 130 km/h, fuel consumption - 13 l/100 km.
• 🎵 Interesting fact: In the song "My friend went to Magadan" there is a line "I'll travel a hundred miles in my Volga", which many believe is a reference to this car.
• ⚠️ Problems: According to the recollections of mechanics, Vysotsky often overloaded the car, which led to suspension failures.

Vysotsky's Volga GAZ-21 has survived to this day and is now in a private collection. It has been restored to original condition, including an interior with leather seats and a steering wheel with wood inlays.

2. Mercedes-Benz W114 - a symbol of status and freedom

In the early 1970s, Vysotsky purchased his first foreign car - Mercedes-Benz 250 W114 (1972 release). This car became a real sensation: foreign cars were rare in the USSR, and Mercedes even more so. The cost of the car on the black market reached 20,000 rubles - almost 4 times more expensive than Volga.

According to the poet's friends, he chose this particular model because of its reliability and comfort. The Mercedes was used for trips around Moscow, tours around the country and even abroad. It is interesting that Vysotsky I've never driven this car myself — he had a personal driver, since the poet preferred to work or relax on the road.

Several legends are associated with Mercedes. For example, they say that The KGB was watching the car, since it was too noticeable for Soviet reality. There were also rumors that Vysotsky sometimes “lent” the car to friends, among whom were famous actors and musicians.

⚠️ Attention: In the 1970s, owning a foreign car in the USSR required special permission. Vysotsky received it thanks to his connections in the creative community, but this did not negate close attention from the authorities.

3. “Rover P5B” - an English rarity in the collection

Few people know, but Vysotsky had another foreign car - Rover P5B (1968). This car was considered elite even in the West: politicians and businessmen loved it. In the USSR, Rovers were extremely rare, and the purchase of such a model indicated the high status of the owner.

According to one version, Vysotsky purchased the Rover in 1974 through friends from abroad. The car was different luxurious interior (genuine leather, wood) and a powerful 3.5-liter engine (160 hp). However, the poet did not drive it for long - according to rumors, the car often broke down due to a lack of spare parts in the USSR.

• 🛠️ Technical problems: The main headache was SU carburetors, which required constant adjustment.
• 🎭 Kinosvyaz: "Rover" appears in the film "The meeting place cannot be changed"(1979), where Vysotsky played the role of Gleb Zheglov. Some claim it was his personal car.
• 💰 Cost: On the black market, the Rover P5B cost up to 30,000 rubles - almost like an apartment in Moscow.

Now this car is considered lost - its traces are lost after Vysotsky’s death. It may have been sold or dismantled for parts.

4. “Zhiguli” VAZ-2103 - modesty at the end of life

In the last years of his life, Vysotsky returned to Soviet cars. appeared in his garage VAZ-2103 - a more comfortable version of the Zhiguli, released in 1977. This car was presented to the poet by friends, since by that time the financial situation had worsened due to health problems and bans on concerts.

"Troika" became his main transport in 1979–1980. He used it to go to his dacha in Malakhovka, to the Taganka Theater and even on his last tour. The car was modest, but reliable - exactly what you need for everyday trips.

⚠️ Attention: Vysotsky's VAZ-2103 has not survived. According to its driver, after the poet’s death the car was sold, and its further fate is unknown.

It’s interesting that it was on the Zhiguli that Vysotsky got into the last accident in my life - in June 1980, a month before his death. The accident occurred on the Moscow Ring Road, but there were no serious consequences. However, this event is considered by many to be an ominous omen.

Check the VIN number for compliance with the year of manufacture|Pay attention to the shape of the bumpers (for “triples” they are chrome)|Make sure that the rear optics have the inscription “VAZ”|Look at the steering wheel - the original one has a specific shape of spokes-->

5. Motorcycles and other vehicles

In addition to cars, Vysotsky was fond of motorcycles. In his garage were:

• 🏍️ Java 350 - a Czechoslovakian motorcycle that he rode in his youth.
• 🛵 IZh Planeta-3 - a Soviet bike that the poet used for short trips around Moscow.

It is also known that Vysotsky sometimes rented or rented other cars, for example, "Moskvich-412" or even "Seagull" (representative car for the party nomenklatura). However, there are no confirmed facts of ownership of these models.

It is curious that in 1978 Vysotsky even tried to buy Porsche 911, but the deal did not take place due to problems with paperwork. According to his biographers, this was one of the few dreams that remained unfulfilled.

6. Myths and legends about Vysotsky’s cars

There are many rumors surrounding Vysotsky’s cars. Let's look at the most common ones:

1. “Vysotsky crashed a Mercedes while drunk” - this is a myth. There really was an accident involving a foreign car (in 1975), but the other driver was at fault, and Vysotsky was in the car as a passenger.
2. “He had a “Seagull”” - no confirmation. "Seagulls" were issued only to high-ranking officials, and such a car could hardly be officially handed over to the poet.
3. “The Rover was carrying contraband.” - rumors based on the fact that the car often crossed the border. However, there is no evidence of illegal activity.

Another popular legend is that Vysotsky gave his Volga to friends from the theater. In fact, the car was sold after the purchase of the Mercedes, and the new owners had nothing to do with Taganka.

Many myths are associated with the fact that the poet's cars were too noticeable. In the USSR, foreign cars attracted the attention of not only fans, but also law enforcement agencies. This gave rise to speculation about “special services,” “smuggling,” and even “conspiracies.”

7. Where are Vysotsky’s cars now?

The fate of Vladimir Vysotsky’s cars developed differently:

• 🚗 "Volga" GAZ-21 — restored and is in private collection (according to some sources, in Moscow).
• 🚘 Mercedes-Benz 250 W114 - last known location - Riga, where the car was sold in the 1990s. Now her traces are lost.
• 🚙 Rover P5B — presumably dismantled or taken abroad.
• 🚗 VAZ-2103 - sold after the poet’s death, further fate is unknown.

In the 2010s, information appeared that Vysotsky’s Mercedes was found in Latvia, but there is no evidence of this. Experts note that even if the car has been preserved, it is difficult to identify it due to numerous repaints and replacement of license plate units.

The only car that can be seen today is Replica "Volga" GAZ-21, restored by enthusiasts. She periodically exhibits at thematic exhibitions dedicated to Vysotsky.

⚠️ Attention: There are often scammers on the market who pass off ordinary Volgas or Mercedes as Vysotsky’s cars. Before buying a “legendary” car, ask for documentary evidence of its history!

8. The influence of cars on Vysotsky’s work

Cars have more than once become part of the poet’s songs and poems. For example:

• 🎶 In the song "Dialogue at the TV" there are lines: "I'll overtake all of you in my Volga!" - a reference to his first car.
• 🎤 In "Ballad of love"mentioned"black limousine", which many associate with "Rover".
• 🚗 In "A song about a friend" there is a phrase "If a friend suddenly turns out...", which some associate with going on tour.

Cars for Vysotsky were symbol of freedom — the ability to go anywhere, not to depend on train and plane schedules. In Soviet times, when movement around the country was strictly regulated, a personal car gave a sense of independence.

In addition, in the car he often wrote songs. According to Marina Vladi, some of the most famous poems ("Horses are picky», «Wolf Hunt") were created precisely on the road, during long trips on night roads.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Vysotsky’s cars