Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky is not only a genius of poetry and theater, but also a passionate car enthusiast. His life was closely connected with cars: from the modest Pobeda to the luxurious Mercedes-Benz 600. For Vysotsky, cars were not just transport, but part of his image, a tool for traveling, and even a source of inspiration. But how many cars did the bard change during his life? This question worries not only fans of his work, but also collectors of retro cars.
In this article, we conducted an in-depth investigation: we studied archives, memories of friends and relatives, photographs and even technical documents. You will learn not only the number of Vysotsky’s cars, but also their models, acquisition history, operating features and the fate of each car after the poet’s death. And also - let's debunk the myths about “secret” machines that are attributed to the bard without evidence.
Are you ready for an exciting journey through the automotive biography of a legend? Then fasten your seat belts - let's go!
1. Vysotsky’s first car: “Victory” M-20 - a humble beginning
Vladimir Vysotsky purchased his first personal car in 1962 - it was legendary GAZ-M20 "Pobeda". The car became a symbol of a new stage in the life of the bard: by that time he was already working at the Taganka Theater, but had not yet achieved all-Union fame. "Victory" was used (issue 1955), but in excellent condition - Vysotsky bought it from an actor friend.
Interesting fact: the car was often used for trips to the countryside in Malakhovka, as well as for touring around the country. According to the recollections of friends, Vysotsky himself loved to drive, despite his busy schedule. "Victory" served him for about 5 years, has not yet been sold due to the need for updating.
- 🔧 Specifications: 4 cylinder engine
2.1 l (50 hp), maximum speed105 km/h, fuel consumption13 l/100 km. - 💰 Cost: about
3,500 rubles(at 1962 exchange rates - approximately2 average salaries). - 📌 The fate of the car: After the sale, the trace of “Victory” was lost, but there is a version that it still exists in a private collection.
⚠️ Attention: There is often information on the Internet that Vysotsky’s first car was Moskvich-407. This is a mistake! “Victory” is confirmed by documents and memoirs of his wife Lyudmila Abramova.
2. "Volga" GAZ-21 - a machine of glory and adventure
B 1967 Vysotsky acquired GAZ-21 "Volga" - a car that became his calling card for many years. This car is associated with the peak of the bard’s creative career: it was on the Volga that he drove to the filming of the film “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed,” took friends around Moscow and went on a tour of the Union.
"Volga" was not just transport, but part of the image. Vysotsky often I repaired it myselfdespite being busy. According to a mechanic at the Taganka Theater, the bard could spend hours tinkering with the engine if something broke. The car had a non-standard green color (rare for that time) and a tuned audio system - for Vysotsky, music on the road was mandatory.
| Characteristics | Data |
|---|---|
| Year of manufacture | 1965 |
| Engine | ZMZ-21, 2.4 l (75 hp) |
| Color | Green metallic (custom paint) |
| Features | Reinforced suspension, radio Grundig, tinted windows |
Unfortunately, Volga died in an accident in 1973 — Vysotsky got into an accident near Tbilisi. The car was completely wrecked, but the bard escaped with minor bruises. After that, for a long time he could not decide to buy a new car, associating it with tragic memories.
3. “Moskvich-412” - temporary replacement and experiments
After the accident on the Volga, Vysotsky drove for about a year Moskvich-412 - a car that a friend lent him. It was transition period: The bard was not yet ready to buy a new car, but he couldn’t do without a car either. "Moskvich" became his temporary means of transport in 1973–1974.
It’s interesting that it was on this car that Vysotsky went to the famous meeting with Brezhnev in Zavidovo. According to the recollections of the guards, the leader of the USSR was surprised to see the poet not in a foreign car, but in a modest domestic car. Perhaps this episode influenced the bard's further choice of cars.
- 🔹 Why didn't you buy it? Vysotsky considered the Moskvich too “small” for its dimensions (height
185 cm). - 🔹 Technical problems: frequent gearbox breakdowns and weak engine (
1.5 l, 75 hp). - 🔹 The fate of the car: After returning to the owner, the trail was lost.
If you are looking for a retro car similar to Vysotsky’s cars, pay attention to the 21st model Volga with original paint. They can be found at auctions for 300–700 thousand rubles in good condition.
4. Mercedes-Benz 600 - luxury and tragedy
B 1976 Vysotsky finally bought his dream car - Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100). This car became a symbol of his success and at the same time a harbinger of tragedy. The Mercedes was given to the bard friend from France (according to one version) or purchased with currency earned on tour (according to another).
It was not just a car, but masterpiece of engineering: 6.3 liter V8, 250 hp, air suspension and a luxurious interior with wooden inserts. Vysotsky adored this car, but did not drive it for long - only about 2 years. Exactly on Mercedes-Benz 600 he had the last accident in his life July 16, 1980, which became one of the reasons for his death.
⚠️ Attention: There is a myth circulating online that Vysotsky had Mercedes-Benz 350 SE. This is a mistake! All documents and photographs confirm only the model 600 (W100). Be careful with unverified sources.
| Parameter | Mercedes-Benz 600 |
|---|---|
| Year of manufacture | 1972 |
| Engine | V8 6.3 l (250 hp) |
| Color | Dark blue metallic |
| Features | Air suspension, leather interior, electric drives for all systems |
| Fate after the death of Vysotsky | Sold abroad, now in a private collection in Germany |
Details of Vysotsky's latest accident
On July 16, 1980, Vysotsky crashed into a concrete pillar at high speed on Shchepkina Street in Moscow. According to the official version, the cause was a technical malfunction (brake failure), but there are versions of alcohol intoxication or suicide. The car was completely destroyed, and the bard died 16 days later in the hospital.
5. Other Vysotsky cars: myths and reality
In addition to the main cars, Vysotsky is credited with several more cars. Let's figure out which of this is true and which is fiction:
- 🚗 ZIL-111: Indeed, Vysotsky sometimes drove this limousine, but the car belonged to Taganka Theater, and not to him personally. The bard used it for formal occasions.
- 🚖 Chaika GAZ-13: Again, it was a theater company car. Vysotsky never owned Chaika personally.
- 🏎️ Porsche 911: This myth appeared because of a photograph where Vysotsky posed next to someone else’s car in the West. There are no ownership documents.
- 🚙 Lada VAZ-2101: There is evidence that the bard sometimes rented a “kopek” to travel around the city, but he did not have his own car of this model.
Thus, only 3 personal cars are documented: “Pobeda”, “Volga” and Mercedes-Benz 600. All other mentions are either official vehicles or speculation.
☑️ How to check the authenticity of Vysotsky’s car?
6. How many cars did Vysotsky have: final count
Let's draw the line. If we talk about personal cars, which belonged to Vladimir Vysotsky as property rights, then there were exactly three:
- GAZ-M20 "Pobeda" (
1962–1967) - GAZ-21 "Volga" (
1967–1973) - Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) (
1976–1980)
If we take into account the machines with which he used it temporarily (rent, company transport, friends’ cars), then the list expands to 5–6 positions. However, calling them “Vysotsky’s cars” is incorrect - they were not his property.
Only three cars officially belonged to Vysotsky. All other mentions are either official vehicles or myths that do not have documentary evidence.
7. Where are Vysotsky’s cars now?
The fate of Bard's cars turned out differently:
- 🔍 GAZ-M20 "Pobeda": The trail is lost. Possibly preserved in a private collection, but there is no confirmed data.
- 🔧 GAZ-21 "Volga": Broken in an accident
1973, disposed of. - 🚗 Mercedes-Benz 600: Sold abroad after Vysotsky's death. According to the latest data, it is in Germany in the collection of one of the fans of the bard’s work. B
2018the car was put up for auction, but was not sold.
If you want to see Vysotsky’s cars “live”, follow the announcements of retro exhibitions in Moscow and Europe. For example, in 2023 Mercedes-Benz 600 exhibited at an exhibition in Munich as part of the Cars of Legends project.
8. How do Vysotsky’s cars affect the retro car market?
Cars associated with the name of Vysotsky are not just retro technology, but cultural heritage sites. Their value at auctions may exceed the market value by 3–5 times. For example:
- 💎 GAZ-21 "Volga" in the same green color as Vysotsky’s, is estimated at
1–1.5 million rubles(at regular price in300–500 thousand). - 💎 Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) worth it in good condition
50–80 thousand euros, but if the car has a documentary connection with the bard, the price can rise to200 thousand euros.
When buying a retro car associated with Vysotsky, experts recommend:
- Check carefully ownership history (through the archives of the traffic police or foreign databases).
- Search photographic evidence (for example, pictures of a car with a bard).
- Contact specialized auctions (for example, Bonhams or Sotheby’s), where celebrity cars are auctioned.
⚠️ Attention: There are many fakes on the market! Fraudsters often pass off regular Volgas as Vysotsky’s cars by falsifying documents. Be sure to consult with a vintage car expert before purchasing.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Vysotsky’s cars
How many cars officially belonged to Vysotsky?
Documented three personal cars: “Pobeda”, “Volga” and Mercedes-Benz 600. All other mentions are either official vehicles or myths.
Is it true that Vysotsky had a Porsche?
No, it's a myth. Photos of Vysotsky posing next to Porsche 911, were made abroad, but the car belonged to another person. There are no documents on the ownership of the Porsche.
Where is Vysotsky's Mercedes-Benz 600 now?
Last known information: the car is in private collection in Germany. B 2018 it was put up for auction, but was not sold. The exact location has not been disclosed.
Is it possible to buy a car that Vysotsky owned?
Theoretically yes, but it is extremely difficult. "Pobeda" and "Volga" were lost, and Mercedes-Benz 600 It is unlikely to ever be sold - the owner is not interested in selling. Sometimes “twin cars” (same models and colors) appear on the market, but their cost starts from 1 million rubles.
What was Vysotsky's most expensive car?
Of course Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100). At the time of purchase (1976) its price was about 30,000 rubles (at the official rate) or $45,000 on the black market. Today such a car is in collectible condition. 200,000 euros and above.