COLD WAR ALT-HISTORY: SOVIET CUSTOM CARS AS THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN
ARTIST ANDREI TKACHENKO has created his own alternative Soviet automotive history. Andrei's handsome artwork reveals a custom style that didn't exist in the real-life Soviet Union. SMN report: During the Cold War years, American customizers were creating amazing machines and wild paint styles. Behind the Iron Curtain, the authorities doubtless frowned on such capitalist activities. So it's now up to Andrei Tkachenko to fill the gap, with a range of original customs that could certainly fill our driveway. Motorcycle and flatbed truck ( below ) make a fine combo. Designwise, the Soviet vehicle looks much like similar light trucks made in the West. Side-mounted exhaust pipes give the Zil Night Hawk ( below ) a powerful competition look. In styling terms, the Zil was something of an AC Cobra lookalike, even if the nose intake took its inspiration from the Chevrolet Camaro. The chromed Gaz-13 Chaika ( below ) was used as official transport by many apparatchiks of the Soviet e...