Cars for Comrades

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The automobile and Soviet communism formed an unlikely pairing. While the car symbolized American economic power and consumerism, it struggled to find a place within Soviet ideology, presenting challenges to its fundamental principles. In this insightful and often humorous exploration, Lewis H. Siegelbaum chronicles the history of the Soviet automobile, offering a fresh lens on the USSR's evolution. Drawing from a diverse range of sources, including state archives, cartoons, and car magazines, the narrative spans from the ambitious construction of Soviet auto factories to the uncertain future of Togliatti's last auto plant. The involvement of American businessmen and engineers in Soviet automobile production emerges as a surprising twist, highlighting ironic parallels between the decline of Soviet auto manufacturing and that of American Detroit. During the interwar years, the emergence of automobile clubs and rally races hinted at a budding Soviet car culture, though it was stifled by Stalinist policies and poor infrastructure. Postwar, cars became more prominent in cultural expressions, contrasting with the car-centric American lifestyle. Ultimately, the automobile symbolized the contradictions within Soviet communism: while needing a car aligned with state goals, desiring one for personal enjoyment diverged from ideology. The challenges of ownership, including scarcity of gasoline and parts, forced citizens into semi-legal p