Enthusiasts in Estonia restore Soviet-era Moskvich cars
A club of owners of old Moskvich cars operates in Estonia, with members restoring and tuning these Soviet-era vehicles and using them in competitions. The biggest problem is the shortage of spare parts.
Quite a few Soviet-era Moskvich cars have survived in Estonia, and their owners have formed a club. This was reported by the Russian-language programme "Horizont" of Estonia's public broadcaster ERR.
Annual gatherings
The club holds a large meeting every year. According to member Stern Ilves, it usually draws about 80 to 100 Moskvich cars, possibly even more. Participants show each other their cars and what they have done over the year. Ilves says the club also helps in practical terms: if you need a part, you can ask other members, because it can no longer be bought in a shop. Another member, Maksim Buzin, says the members are varied, mostly Estonian speakers. Some restore an original, others do tuning.
Workshop and rally
Ilves fell in love with Moskvich cars in childhood. He now has a workshop with two bays where old cars are repaired and renovated. He is building a Moskvich-433 identical to the one that stood in his yard, because very few such cars remain. In total he has about 40 cars in various condition, some of which serve as donors. Parts have to be sought at retro fairs, from older people and at the osta.ee auction site.
Ilves also competes in rallying in a Moskvich with its original engine. He says the car meets international requirements. He recently took part in the Saaremaa Rally for the sixth time.
Right-hand-drive cars
Some cars were exported in their day, so right-hand-drive Moskvich cars can be found. Buzin found one in Narva. According to him, a large batch of Moskvich cars was returned to Estonia in the late 1970s after the Lada entered the British market.
Buzin plans to fit new wheels and a more powerful original engine. Ilves admits the hobby has cost a huge amount of money. He takes both of his children along to the gatherings.
