Coachbuilt BMW 6-Series by...Volga?
Volga is known mostly for small Soviet-era sedans used by the KGB and as limos for the communist party central committee members – a little less so for customized German luxury cars. But in a revolution against Western propaganda, the Russian automaker has unveiled its second coachbuilt BMW.
The Volga V8 roadster starts life as a BMW 650i cabriolet before being treated to custom body panels to give the car 60's retro styling in tribute to the (charismatically-named) Volga GA3-21P. Aside from the bodywork, the car's mechanicals seem to carry over from the stock BMW, which is probably a smart move.
The V8 Roadster follows the path of the V12 Coupe, based on the BMW 850 CSi, which was built in 2001 as a throwback to the Volga GA3-219 (with a 9, the roadster has a P).
Not much additional information is available on the cars, unless you're fluent in Russian, but follow the jump to find a full gallery of images.
Volga may be in danger of folding, but not before joining Fisker in crafting an exclusive coachbuilt BMW.
[Source: CarDesign.ru]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
James 11:39AM (9/25/2006)
This is blasphemy. Aside from those great hand-painted stacking people, Russian design has no artistic merit.
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Richard 11:45AM (9/25/2006)
"krasnaya!"
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W. Shawn OSBORNE 11:40AM (9/25/2006)
I think that this car is ugly. A vulgar/Volga rip on a BMW/Black Mans Wagon. Kinda of like an Adam's family highend hearst. But something about it still. I can't make up my mind.
http://www.fashawn.com
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Drewboy 11:41AM (9/25/2006)
Wow. I'd like one. That looks a lot sharper than the BMW.
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Adam Singer 11:46AM (9/25/2006)
Gorgeous.
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mavrick 11:52AM (9/25/2006)
wow, its hot, I like it.
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PJ 12:11PM (9/25/2006)
I wouldn't call it ugly, but the V12 coupe's styling was far more successful. The 6's swoopy convertible top looks out of place on the classic bodywork.
Pics of the V12 Coupe:
http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread/t-6928.html
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gkz 11:58AM (9/25/2006)
the people who built this deserve to be tortured by the KGB.
"russian design" is an oxymoron... what a piece of crap
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julian 12:17PM (9/25/2006)
pretty cool. not as sleek as the fisker, but still pretty cool.
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MosquitoControl 12:02PM (9/25/2006)
6 series... but looking like that...?
I'm sold. Never thought I'd be, but I am.
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peij 12:02PM (9/25/2006)
so beautiful
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James 12:04PM (9/25/2006)
So who in their right mind would think the BMW 6-series looks better in THIS design? As a vehicle itself it has a nice retro look, but knowing it started out as a BMW...... But I guess it does solve that problem of having a BMW 650 that looks like everyone elses. Don't you just hate that. :-)
James
http://www.CarTV.com
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rwdmtparkingonly 12:05PM (9/25/2006)
Rebodying other companies cars must be a new trend for troubled automakers. First Ford with Volvos, now Volga with BMWs.
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Graham 12:09PM (9/25/2006)
I've never been a fan of the 6 series so I think it's pretty cool, though those wheels are kind of garish.
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WillDaThrill 11:33PM (9/25/2006)
LOL, They roll on Daytons in Russia? 20" rims no less(at least they look like 20's)?
Must be a black Russian. Those damn Russian basketball players/rappers.
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WillDaThrill 11:32PM (9/25/2006)
Uh oh, hold the presses, there's a caucasian guy at the wheel.
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Richard Warren 12:21PM (9/25/2006)
While I don't usually do the "looks like"
Except for no "Widows Peak" on the windshield it has a lot of 54 Kaiser styling cues, retro in a nice way.
Grille, tailights,side profile.
I like it.
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gene 12:22PM (9/25/2006)
Ugh. FrankenThunderbird.
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Bill 12:20PM (9/25/2006)
Aside from the wheels, I like it. I'm not normally a fan of retro cars, but I bet even a lot of middle-aged American old guys who live through the Cold War would lap this up.
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Richard Warren 12:23PM (9/25/2006)
Forgot a link, check it out.
http://my.win.psu.edu/dch1/kaiserkrazy.htm
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