This set of photos has been floating around Russian forums for a few years, and they’ve been attributed to a shitload of different people and places (including Montana USA for fucksakes). Until now I haven’t been able to track down the story behind them, but I finally found the original article.
Enjoy:
Translated (roughly) from http://interdalnoboy.com/2007/12/04/avtopark_sovetskogo_perioda.html :
“Tula region, 287 kilometers from Moscow on the Simferopol highway, then turn into the field … Since the description of the route, taken from the web, was quite approximate, (we) had to rely on language, and find someone who knows. Turn here – a local resident in the (gypsy) village told us – two kilometers will pass before the end of the village, and then to the right. There is a good road, paved with asphalt … And there, too … Coated … And, indeed, about two hundred meters after the turn it was coated with concrete slabs … And then suddenly it was over. We had to stop the car and get in the mud and slush on foot. Chernousova village once was obviously great. Now here is only one-two houses and a handful (of people). We came across the tracks of a total of four. The rest (of the village) – miserable skeletons, covered with moss and grass, peeking out of the bushes, in general, few traces of human activity. But the boar and other animal tracks – plenty. And this silence, as if no one in the world. And the hillside above the river looks even more strange, covered with flat rectangles of different colors. These are cars.”
“Hundreds of cars somewhere on the high bank of the river, in the province of Tula, where (there are) not really roads. Somewhere on the edge of the universe. This is the goal of our journey. Rise – and stillness: after a few kilometers of desert suddenly you look down sad eyes of old headlights several rzhavenkih “Muscovites”. Ahead with a cheerful face is a green painted “jeep” and coming closer, you realize that in addition to rollicking Mordecai there is nothing. And literally, no engine, no steering, no seats … And somehow, he no longer looks like a mummy. And his face is a happy smile says Gwinplana. On the left is the “Avtomuzey Chernousova” under her doghouse labeled “bittten”. Wandering around the exhibits are a dozen visitors. That we are not alone seems abnormal, but for those that “300 miles is not a hook,” there is still craziness in this world, not only in Moscow. Four children came to look at an unusual museum in Kaluga. Told us the master of the fleet (is) Michael Krasinets, and they want to look at the rarities. While the roads allow people commute. True, at least three months a year Chernousova village cut off from the world … Initially, the number of vehicles assembled is amazing.”
“Chernousova can be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records for the number of cars per capita. Just standing around a small house (are) about 230 vehicles. That’s almost a full line of the “Muscovites”, here is a series of “Cossacks.” There, lined up in order of size of Gaza and winter … on the steep bank is a “seagull” GAZ-13. Black, with expressive eyes, headlights, staring as if from under half-closed eyes, high wings and rear red flashing lights on the shelf in the rear window. Luxurious sofas inside, automatic transmission … Try to find where they turned back speed …
– When selling an apartment in Moscow, I had a few options, – says Mikhail Krasinets. – I was offered a few ZiSov. But one was registered in Odessa, the other had no documents … So I paid six thousand dollars for this beauty. I must say that all the cars in the village Michael delivered either on their own, or a rigid coupling. “The Seagull” to get there myself. Among a number of sheds stands out a copy of the latest two-tone color. Like it was rolled off the line. You come closer and understand: the assembly line, it went long ago. – This ZIM (GAZ-12), I paint with brushes, – says the owner of the fleet, – If only he was ragged. But its color is fully consistent with the that when they leave the plant. Those collectors who paints the side moldings in a darker color, (are) wrong. The body was painted the same color. In fact, this machine has been “stripped” from the U.S. “Cadillac.” Examine the U.S. fashion of those times when there went the machines: they painted them too bright.
In the center of the fleet are several “humpback” Cossacks. Small, folded if you climb inside, the feeling that you are stuck in a matchbox. “Breakback” was designed and engineered at the factory MZMA. In fact, this (was a)”Muscovite” experimental series. The “Zaporozhets” began in 1960, when the model is transferred to the plant for the assembly of “Kommunar”. In Krasintsa five.
And above them rises the gigantic monster, “Buick” Super Eight 1939. It was made in Austria-Hungary, even the markers remain. – Unfortunately, the interior destroyed by time, – says Mikhail. – The machine has passed all the fronts and got a trophy. This machine I’m not interested in. She (was) remade. She has “Zimovsky” units. I have it stored as an exchange fund. I’m ready to change this car on ZIS-101 ZIS-110, even in the worst condition.”
“Michael once worked for AZLK. Was a test driver (for the) racing team “Moskvich Autoexport”, a professional racing driver. Then he worked in the “Siren-Moscow” (ambulance), then in DOSAAF different areas. After this, in 1991 he created the club “Retro Moskvich”. By that time he already had a few rare cars that enjoyed success on the set. Including the “Muscovite” A 400-420 – 1949 convertible soft top. It now stands in the yard of the house on a steep bank in the village Chernousova.
Michael moved from Moscow to save the collection. While it was in the capital, pieces were slowly stolen, and he had problems with the authorities. And then after all there was the museum. Now formal. But (in) the memory of sport, Michael collects racing cars. In a conspicuous place are all the labels: legendary rally Daily Miror, the “Muscovite” with the number 21. However, as recognized by the host avtomuzeya, specifically, this machine did not take part in the races. This is a copy of that car, created for the 30th anniversary launch. Yes, and the car is not 1970, but 1973.
Apart from the “Muscovite”-cabriolet he has other rare artifacts. For example, a few cars are off-road GAZ-72 “Victory” – all-terrain vehicle with two drive axles, all-wheel drive “Muscovites” – M-410N sedan and wagon M-411, which were released in the late 1950s in small batches. The 410-X was released only in a little more than a thousand copies.”
“The main problem for Krasintsa – is to get them tires. – Attributes and look of the machine – this is important. Even if there is not a motor. But if it is a foreign car, then it should not stand in the Soviet rubber. All of the “Muscovites” are in original condition: no fakes or modern counterparts. Finding these tires are not less of a problem than the engines. And more often than they are in the shed, garage motorists.
– I went to the store on South Port – continues Michael – there are hanging details for “Muscovite” and cost 500 rubles. But only one set. And I think, buy it or give debt. And, most of all, I would buy this kit. Because, the longer I’ll live, the harder it will be to find the right parts, and more. Very expensive, things like chromium. Bumper on the “Muscovite” 412 or 2140 is a half thousand. In the next village, I recently bought a car with the same bumpers for a half thousand. Just rusting, the old boy.
In fact, a related and somewhat deplorable picture is exposed. There is in it something of the scenery. Like a beautiful car, and approach – and the feeling that you were deceived. Pieces of paint falling off, rotten wings, shabby wheels … And it wants to cry, but what is all this, do nezhalko? – You have to understand the technology of the process – Michael Krasinets convinces us.
“First, you need to collect what can then be restored. Now if I take the time to repair the car, paint it, repair it, then how will I gather all the other exhibits?”
By the way, Krasintsa plans to find and purchase another order of 150 cars: 100 “Muscovites”, and 50, in his words, “jumble”.
“I want to collect all the cars that ever produced in the Soviet Union after the war. It will be on the perimeter of the 400-e and 401-e model 1956. There’s only one model is not enough – 402 th. That’s it for me to find. Because it is easier to keep what you have, what to look for.”
“It is noteworthy that Krasinets is not going to finish the restoration . He wants to renovate the whole fleet. As already mentioned, it is more important to look than the content. Michael has extensive plans and construction of the indoor space of the complex, and road building. But all this time. And while rarities live in the open air and away from all communications. By the way, is a kind of protection against thieves and plunderers. They do not get here. And if you will get in, you will hardly be able to escape. He even had such a case: two men asked Michael postorozhit technique until he is quite a long time in the Moscow congress. Peasants itch to drink, and the nearest store is eight kilometers. They equipped the “Volga” in this campaign with a battery from the motorcycle “Ural”. Oh, they managed to get the car – only God knows how. But before they reached the store, they were stuck.”