The Soviet auto industry developed quite actively, largely because they worked not only for the domestic, but also for the foreign market. However, the cars that were exported and those that were sold in the USSR itself, to put it mildly, differed. And all because they were previously upgraded to meet the local standards. To your attention are Soviet cars that have been modernized for the Western market.
1. "Moskvich-407"
One of the very first examples of upgrading a Soviet car for export. The Belgian importer Scaldia Volga was engaged in this. So, they modernized the design of the Moskvich, adding American-style chrome wheel covers and white-striped tires. A little later, they got to the power plant: a Perkins diesel engine was installed under the hood of a Soviet car.
2. GAZ-21
The legendary Soviet 21st "Volga" was also subjected to external and internal changes for export. So, the original engine was replaced by diesel Peugeot and Perkins. The latter did not add power, but were much more economical than the Soviet gasoline engine. In the design of the GAZ-21, they were also somewhat modified in accordance with the then ideas about the appearance of the car in the West. The most striking element of this upgrade can be considered a chromium tuning additive at the bottom.
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3. "Moskvich-412"
Restyling of the Moskvich-412 model, which for Europeans was to some extent morally obsolete, was handled by several importers at once, for example, the Konela company, which is based in Finland. So, oddly enough, she decided to use elements in the design change that are strikingly similar to the Zhiguli units, for example, bumpers, door handles, fangs. However, judging by the fact that this appearance of the car took root, he suited the Western client.
4. UAZ
At one time, Soviet UAZ all-terrain vehicles tried to sell to America, but it did not happen. But in the European market they were quite in demand. So, for example, the Italian importer of Ulyanovsk all-terrain vehicles, the Martorelli company, proposed its own version of the legendary "goat", and the work was done on at all levels: more modern engines, removable hard tops, improved rims, and even new paint were installed on the Soviet car, sometimes it was also two-ton.
In addition to the topic: 13 Unusual Renault Models You Can't See on Russian Streets
Source: https://novate.ru/blogs/090422/62668/