The passenger car GAZ-M20 “Pobeda” is one of the symbols of post-war Soviet Union. The legendary car, a technical breakthrough back in its day, rolled off the production line 69 years ago.
Originally, the car was to be named Rodina (Homeland), but as it was being developed during the Great Patriotic War, it received the name Pobeda (Victory).
Above: A workshop where Pobeda and ZIM cars were assembled at the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) named after V. Molotov.
Above: A workshop where Pobeda and ZIM cars were assembled at the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) named after V. Molotov.
The first series of Pobedas rolled off the production line on June 28, 1946.
Above: Joseph Stalin's look-alike seen standing by the Pobeda car at the USSR Museum opening ceremony in the Russian Exhibition Center, Moscow.
Above: Joseph Stalin's look-alike seen standing by the Pobeda car at the USSR Museum opening ceremony in the Russian Exhibition Center, Moscow.
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© Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov
The Pobeda was the first Soviet car assembled with home-made parts only.
Above: A visitor takes a picture of a GAZ-M-20 Pobeda (1946) at the opening of the historic motor show of GAZ cars "Heroes of Their Time," at Moscow's Main Department Store.
Above: A visitor takes a picture of a GAZ-M-20 Pobeda (1946) at the opening of the historic motor show of GAZ cars "Heroes of Their Time," at Moscow's Main Department Store.
Passengers could sit comfortably in its roomy saloon manufactured with the most advanced technologies of that era.
Above: A 1950s GAZ Pobeda car. Exotic cars show in Tushino airport, Moscow.
Above: A 1950s GAZ Pobeda car. Exotic cars show in Tushino airport, Moscow.
The Pobeda had turn signals, an AM-radio, a heater, and two electric windshield wipers – something that previous Soviet automobiles had missed.
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© Sputnik / Igor Russak
It was the first car in the USSR that introduced pontoon styling with slab sides.
Above: A Pobeda car (1958) on St. Isaac's Square at the start of a rally for electric vehicles between St. Petersburg - Monte Carlo.
Above: A Pobeda car (1958) on St. Isaac's Square at the start of a rally for electric vehicles between St. Petersburg - Monte Carlo.
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© AP Photo / Dmitry Astakhov
Pobedas entered the Soviet taxicab fleet in 1946.
Above: Dmitry Medvedev, right, gets into a 1950's-era Soviet GAZ-M20 Pobeda (Victory) car, near Volokolamsk, 100 km (62.5 miles) west of Moscow, Friday, May 7, 2010.
Above: Dmitry Medvedev, right, gets into a 1950's-era Soviet GAZ-M20 Pobeda (Victory) car, near Volokolamsk, 100 km (62.5 miles) west of Moscow, Friday, May 7, 2010.
Stamps with a Pobeda on it were issued in 1976.
Pobedas were taken out of production in 1958, but people still used them due to high durability. Nearly 240,000 Pobedas were manufactured totally.
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© AP Photo / Joshua Roberts/Pool
Pobedas were successfully exported to Scandinavian countries and Belgium.
Above: US Secretary of State John Kerry admires Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's Pobeda car after a wreath laying ceremony at the Zakovkzalny War Memorial in Sochi, Russia.
Above: US Secretary of State John Kerry admires Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's Pobeda car after a wreath laying ceremony at the Zakovkzalny War Memorial in Sochi, Russia.
It was a symbol of the post-war Soviet life. Currently a Pobeda is a must-have item for many car collectors.
