On July 19, 2013, tragic news spread throughout Russia: he passed away at the age of 39 Mikhail Gorshenev - leader of the legendary group "Metal Corrosion", author of cult songs and one of the brightest musicians of Russian rock. More than ten years have passed, but interest in his personality does not fade. It raises a lot of questions especially Gorshenev's property after death: what happened to his cars, how the rights to the songs were distributed, and why there are still rumors about unresolved disputes between the heirs.

Fans and collectors are still trying to trace the fate cars of Mikhail Gorshenev - from rare Mercedes-Benz W124 to exclusive motorcycles. Meanwhile, the legal nuances of inheriting a musician’s creative heritage and material assets remain one of the most closed topics in Russian show business. In this article we will look at documented facts, we will debunk the myths and tell you how today you can legally purchase things related to Gorshenev - from vinyl records to parts of his cars.

It is important to understand: the topic of inheriting celebrity property in Russia is regulated Civil Code of the Russian Federation (Articles 1110–1185), but in practice often encounters bureaucratic delays, especially when it comes to intangible assets — rights to music, brands and royalties. Gorshenev did not leave a will, which complicated the process. Let's look at what is known today.

How Mikhail Gorshenev’s property was distributed: official data

According to open sources, the main heirs of Mikhail Gorshenev were his mother - Valentina Ivanovna Gorsheneva and sister - Natalya Gorsheneva. At the same time, according to the family’s lawyer, the process of inheritance lasted for several years due to unformed documents for part of the property. The situation was particularly difficult with musician's cars - some of them were registered to third parties or legal entities associated with the group.

According to Federal Notary Chamber, the standard period for entering into inheritance in Russia is 6 months, but if there are disputes or unregistered assets, the process can drag on for years. In the case of Gorshenev, the key points were:

  • 📄 Apartment in Moscow — registered in the name of the musician’s mother, inherited without dispute.
  • 🎸 Rights to the songs of “Metal Corrosion” - divided between the heirs and former members of the group (more on this in the next section).
  • 🚗 Cars — some were sold, some remained in the family. The most famous car is Mercedes-Benz 500 SE (W124) 1990 - became the subject of rumors about sale abroad.

Interesting fact: among Gorshenev’s things was found collection of vintage spare parts for Soviet and German cars, which he has been collecting since the 1990s. Some parts (for example, original bumpers for VAZ-2107 and headlights from Mercedes-Benz 190E) later appeared at auctions where they were bought vintage car collectors.

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Cars of Mikhail Gorshenev: what is known about their fate

Mikhail Gorshenev was known for his love for German cars of the 1980–1990s, especially to models Mercedes-Benz. According to the musician's friends, he preferred cars with manual transmission and a minimum amount of electronics. Below is confirmed information about his fleet:

Car model Year of manufacture Destiny after 2013 Notes
Mercedes-Benz 500 SE (W124) 1990 Sold to a collector from Germany (according to Auto Bild Russia) Color: black metallic, engine M117 V8 5.0
BMW 535i (E34) 1992 Remained in the family, later resold in Moscow Tuned exhaust system, leather interior M-Technic
Volkswagen Golf II GTI 1988 Gifted to a friend of the musician, now in a private collection Original engine 1.8 16V, rare equipment
Harley-Davidson FXST 1995 Sold at auction in 2015 Custom paint, Gorshenev's signature on the fuel tank

The most talked about car remains Mercedes-Benz W124. According to the mechanic who serviced the car, Gorshenev purchased it in 2005 in Germany and carried out the restoration himself. The car had unique audio system with the ability to connect a guitar - the musician often rehearsed in the salon. After the death of the owner, the car was bought by a German collector for an amount that the Gorshenev family never voiced publicly.

The only confirmed fact about the price: in 2014, a similar Mercedes-Benz 500 SE (W124) in the same condition was sold at European auctions for 25–35 thousand euros. However, experts agree that Gorshenev’s car was more expensive because of its “stellar” history.

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If you are looking for a car with history, check it through the service Autocode or CarVertical. Even if the car belonged to a celebrity, its value will not increase without documentary evidence.

Rights to the songs of “Metal Corrosion”: who receives royalties today

Legal side of inheritance copyright to Gorshenev's music turned out to be one of the most confusing. According to Russian law, rights to musical works are valid 70 years after the author's death (Article 1281 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation), that is, up to 2083. However, the distribution of royalty income among the heirs and former band members caused conflicts.

The main contenders for fees:

  • 🎵 Gorshenev's heirs (mother and sister) - receive a share as legal successors of the author of lyrics and music.
  • 🎸 Former participants of "Metal Corrosion" - claim a share as co-authors of arrangements (for example, Sergei “Spider” Troitsky).
  • 📀 Label "Mystery of Sound" - owns the rights to albums released during the musician’s lifetime.

The loudest conflict occurred in 2016, when Sergei Troitsky filed a lawsuit about recognizing him as a co-author of a number of songs. The court partially satisfied the demands, but the main share of the royalties remained with the Gorshenev family. Today, music rights are managed by LLC "Gorshenev Media", registered in the name of the musician’s sister.

It is interesting that after Gorshenev’s death income from streaming platforms (for example, Spotify or Yandex Music) increased several times. According to Lenta.ru, in 2022 alone, the songs of “Metal Corrosion” brought the heirs about 15 million rubles — and this does not take into account merch sales and album reissues.

How much do the rights to one Gorshenev song cost?

According to expert estimates, the rights to hits like “Good Night” or “Sorcerer Doll” on the secondary market are valued at 3–5 million rubles per composition. However, it is almost impossible to sell them legally - the heirs are not interested in parting with the assets.

Myths and legends: what really happened to the musician’s belongings

There are many rumors surrounding the death of Gorshenev and his property. Let's look at the most popular:

⚠️ Attention: There is often information on the Internet that all Gorshenev's cars were confiscated for debts. This is not true - the musician’s debts (if any) did not exceed 1–1.5 million rubles and were repaid by the heirs within a year.

Myth 1: “Gorshenev’s guitar was sold for a million dollars”

In fact, the main guitar of a musician is Gibson Les Paul Custom 1978 - was transferred to rock music museum in St. Petersburg. Its estimated value is approx. $80–100 thousand, but it was not for sale.

Myth 2: “The Gorshenev family sold the rights to the songs to a foreign company”

This is not true. In 2017, an agreement was concluded with Warner Music Russia about re-releasing albums, but rights remained with the heirs. The contract concerned only distribution, not authorship.

Myth 3: “Gorshenev’s Mercedes is still in the garage”

As already mentioned, W124 was sold to Germany. However, in 2021, photographs appeared online another Mercedes-Benz - 300 TE (S124) 1995, which allegedly belonged to the musician. Experts have refuted this information: the car was purchased after Gorshenev's death his friend and registered to him.

Explore ownership history through traffic police or Rosavtodor (for cars)|

Check for original documents with owner's signature|

Compare serial numbers (eg on a guitar or watch) with databases|

Contact authentication experts (e.g. Authentics International)

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If you want to purchase some of the musician's personal belongings or items related to "Metal Corrosion", there are several legal ways:

1. Auctions and collectors

The most reliable sites:

  • 🏛️ Sotheby’s — lots associated with Russian rock musicians appear here periodically.
  • 🎸 RockAuctions — specialized auction of rock paraphernalia.
  • 🚗 Avito - sometimes parts from Gorshenev’s cars are sold (for example, a steering wheel from his BMW E34 was sold in 2020 for 120 thousand rubles).

2. Official merch

The Gorshenev family periodically releases limited editions via:

- Official website of the group: korrozia.ru

- Crafts Fair (account @korrozia_official)

Released in 2023 vinyl box set with rare recordings, limited to only 500 copies. Its value on the secondary market today reaches 40–50 thousand rubles.

3. Private collections

Some things (for example, Gorshenev leather jacket or him boots) are kept by the musician's friends. From time to time they are put up for sale through closed groups in Telegram or VK. However, there is a high risk of running into scammers - always ask for proof of authenticity (photo with the musician, documents, witness statements).

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The most reliable way to buy Gorshenev’s item is through official auctions or heirs. Buying second hand is fraught with counterfeits, especially if we are talking about items without documentary evidence.

If you decide to purchase a car, guitar or other item related to Gorshenev, pay attention to legal aspects:

1. Check your ownership history

For cars:

- Order a report from traffic police by VIN code.

- Check whether the machine is in register of pledged property (reestr-zalogov.ru).

For other things (guitars, clothes):

- Demand assessment acts or expert opinions on authenticity.

2. Taxes and duties

When purchasing a car older than 3 years, you will have to pay:

- Transport tax (depending on engine power).

- Re-registration fee (2,000 rubles for individuals).

If the car was imported from abroad (as in the case of Mercedes W124 Gorshenev), check whether you have paid customs duties.

⚠️ Attention: If the car was sold by heirs without paying inheritance tax (13% for close relatives), new problems may arise for the buyer. Always demand tax certificate on the repayment of obligations.

3. Copyright for modifications

If you buy custom car (for example, with a unique paint job or tuning done by Gorshenev), please note: design changes may be protected copyright. This means that for commercial use of the car (for example, filming in a video), permission from the heirs may be required.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible today to buy a car that belonged to Gorshenev?

Theoretically yes, but there are no such cars on the open market. Latest confirmed sale (Mercedes W124) was in 2014. Today, the chance to purchase a musician’s car is only through closed auctions or private collections, but the price will be extremely high (from 5–7 million rubles for a rare model).

Who gets money from Metal Corrosion concerts today?

Proceeds from concerts are divided between:

  • 🎸 The current composition of the group (they perform under the brand, but without Gorshenev).
  • 💰 Heirs of the musician — they are given a share for using the songs and the name “Corrosion of Metal”.
  • 🏢 Event organizers (usually these are concert agencies).

According to Forbes Russia, in 2023 the group earned about 60 million rubles, of which Gorshenev’s heirs got approximately 15–20%.

Is it true that Gorshenev bequeathed his guitar to one of his fans?

No, it's a myth. The musician did not leave a will, and his main guitar (Gibson Les Paul) was transferred to the museum. However, in 2015, it was sold at a charity auction replica of Gorshenev's guitar with his autograph - the proceeds went to the treatment of sick children.

Is it possible to inherit Gorshenev's debts by buying his things?

No, the debts of the testator pass only to direct heirs (in this case - mother and sister). The buyer of the musician's belongings does not inherit any financial obligations. However, if we are talking about unpaid loans secured by property (for example, a car loan), the bank can seize the collateral even from the new owner. Always check the history through Credit Bureau.

Where can you see Gorshenev’s personal belongings?

Several items are on display in:

  • 🏛️ Museum of Rock Music (St. Petersburg) — guitar, jacket, photographs.
  • 🎸 Exhibition center "Artplay" (Moscow) — temporary exhibitions dedicated to the group.
  • 📺 Documentary film “Gorshenev. The Last Hero" (2018) — some personal items are shown.