Chances are that you were born in Eastern Europe and used the GAZ Chaika 13 to get around.
If you were born in Eastern Europe, there are good chances that the GAZ Chaika13 was used as a parade vehicle in your country before 1989. This was a full-size luxury car that was priced below the ZIL 11 series. It was also available in a variety of body styles including a sedan and a convertible.
Although it was not sold to regular customers, they were permitted to rent Chaikas to be used for special occasions and weddings. Chaikas were used by KGB until 1991 as the main security agency of the Soviet Union. They also served the purpose of being used by Soviet ambassadors to East Germany, North Korea and Hungary. The general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, gave one to Fidel Castro, a revolutionary Cuban politician. The Chaika, which means “gull”, was manufactured in Gorky (nowadays Nizhny Novgorod), and by RAF in Riga. There were 3,179 examples, with the majority being 4-door, 7-seat limousines. Only a few ambulances and convertibles were added. Many believe that the GAZ Chaika 13 was heavily influenced by the Packard Patrician. The similarities between the two vehicles are clear. The Soviet vehicle was powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine of 5.5-liter capacity, which produced 195 horsepower (143 megawatts) at 4,400 RPM. The engine was connected to the wheels via a three-speed, push-button automatic gearbox. This gearbox was capable of achieving a top speed in excess of 99 mph (160 km/h), and average fuel consumption of 13 miles (21 liters/100 km)
The Mercedes Class of Soviet automobile industry was the Chaika. It was stylish, comfortable and quick for its time. The excessive amount of chrome on the front is a common feature for Russian cars from that era. We love the interior layout, which has a retractable second row of seating and can accommodate up to seven people. The Chaika, a mythological vehicle in Eastern Europe, is known for its large size and low fuel economy. According to some reports, KGB agents loved the Chaika because of its large rear bench that made it easy for them “suspicious citizens” to pull into the vehicle. If you ask a Russian car enthusiast about the most beautiful car in this era, you won’t be disappointed if they answer with the Chaika. It is a beloved car by Russians and European collectors alike. The vehicle’s collector price is around $55,500.