- Title: Two hundred vintage cars drive in retro parade in Moscow
- Date: 23rd May 2016
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (MAY 22, 2016) (REUTERS) COLUMN OF RETRO CARS DRIVING THROUGH PARK ALLEY WOMAN IN CAR HOLDING SIGN READING (Russian): "RETRO FEST"
- Embargoed: 7th June 2016 11:58
- Keywords: retro cars old cars soviet cars Sokolniki
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0014J12W55
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Two hundred vintage cars and over one thousand enthusiasts took part in a retro parade in Moscow on Saturday (May 21) and Sunday (May 22).
Old Soviet classics were joined by foreign cars representing different epochs of the automotive industry.
One on display was the legendary Gaz-M-20 Victory, first produced in 1946. Over the next twelve years more than 240,000 were made, some of which can be seen on the road.
Enthusiast Alexandra Zhuchkova-Mishunina is the owner of one of them. She said her car has problems occasionally, but is still able to run thousands of kilometres.
"I met a young man who had this car. It took us a long time to fix it. After all I took the car. For me this is more than just a type of transport. After I drove to Crimea, I call it my daughter," she said, adding that for her, the car is not just a machine, but has its own character.
"Sometimes, course, it is scary because you realise that it (the car) is 62 years old. But since this car is not just a car, you can always persuade her and it will drive you home," she said.
Visitors also saw a 67-year old BMW rarely spotted in Russia, as well as the Volga and Moskvitch cars known to almost everyone in the former USSR.
"Before, when we were young, the Moskvitch [car] cost 900 rubles and the Volga [car] 1,600 rubles. Perhaps you don't even remember such prices, right? So, an ordinary man could buy a car paying his monthly salary," Moscow resident Larisa said.
While older attendees could reminisce, many young visitors were surprised to see so many vintage cars still capable of hitting the road.
"They have gathered a lot of really rare cars here which are more than 20 years old. They are even older than me, and I am 23 years old. And they are all in a good condition. It is obvious that people take care of their cars. I think there should be more events like this in Moscow," Moscow resident Maria said.
As well as civilian cars, old Soviet military vehicles were also on display. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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