James Bond Collection_Issue 80_GAZ Volga (UH) From the Movie GoldenEye

Volga (Russian: ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿) is an automobile brand that originated in the Soviet Union to replace the venerated GAZ Pobeda in 1956. Modern in design, the car survived several generations. Although Volga cars were readily used as taxi cabs, road police interceptors and ambulances (based on the estate versions), it was their role in serving the Soviet nomenklatura, that made them a contemporary cultural icon. Several generations of the car have been produced.

The original GAZ-M-21 was produced between from 1956 and underwent two facelifts (1958, 1962) along with a technical modernisation in 1965 before retiring in 1970. The car marked the blossoming era of Nikita Khruschev's thaw, and despite its limited private sales, was very sought by the Soviet public, becoming a symbol of style and success.

The GAZ-24 followed, and was produced from 1968, underwent a modest facelift in 1976. The GAZ-24 was originally to be replaced by the GAZ-3101, but the latter car never reached past prototype stage. Unlike the -21, the -24's long production saw the country decay in the stagnation period of Leonid Brezhnev's rule. Its image portrayed the social inequality between the Soviet ruling class, whose privilege not only included a chauffeured Volga, but an even more rare opportunity to privately own one. Also it became a major object of speculation on the lucrative Soviet grey economy, officially not tolerated, but privately welcomed by the state.