7. GAZ 24 Volga
Russia was still behind the Iron Curtain back in those days, so their car industry concentrated on domestic needs. However, they still managed to produce many interesting cars. Up until 1980’s, all Russian models were designed and/or mechanical copies of Western cars, especially American ones. However, in the late 60’s, GAZ, a producer of family cars and trucks, introduced its new, modernly-designed model they called the GAZ 24 or Volga.
It was a modern car, even by Western standards. It was a large sedan, almost the size of a full-size U.S. model with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 95 HP. The performance wasn’t great, but for Russian standards, this was a prestigious automobile. The only catch was you had to be a perspective and respected member of the Party or a KGB operative.
Even so, the design of the new Volga was American. In fact, it reminded most people of the 1962 to 1964 Chevrolet Impala sedan. The counters, the boxy shape, chromed front grill and the trim were all extremely reminiscent of Chevrolet’s design, but with two headlights less than the Impala. The Volga stayed in production, although with extensive modifications, until the late 90’s.