Russians Build GAZ-51 Retro Hot-Rod from Cadillac Escalade EXT

Here at Carscoop we're no strangers to custom made creations from Russia. Some we find extremely intriguing, some just plain daft, but all manage to bring a smile to our faces. This (unfinished) project is the work of a company called 'Grande-Garage' and according to our Russian friends over at Cardesign, the retro-styled pick-up truck that is inspired from an old soviet truck called GAZ-51, is based on the underpinnings of the Cadillac Escalade EXT. The one-off creation is said to be built for a Russian plutocrat. Since the project is still in the works, we'll hold our final judgment until after we see it finished.

Via: Cardesign

Russia: Jeep Grand Cherokee Woodie Style

As they say necessity is the mother of invention - or in this case, a wooden log that was transformed into a front bumper for a previous generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. Apparently, the Russian owner of this Jeep did not have the necessary funds to replace the bumper on his SUV so he used whatever was in hand. Well, if anything else, his approach to the problem was at least eco-conscious...

Via: English Russia

Russians Build Volga GAZ-21 Replica Based on Porsche Cayenne SUV

Even if you do not like any of Cardi's proposals, you have to admit that the crew working at the Russian design and tuning firm have more imagination than a hundred Hollywood producers combined. Aptly named 'Volga Cayenne', the car is essentially a replica of the 1960's Volga GAZ-21 based on a modified Porsche Cayenne chassis. Bypassing the Stalin graphics and the red-star alloy wheels on the outside, the 5.1 meter long (roughly the same size as a Mercedes-S-Class) "Volga Cayenne" uses the same 450HP 4.5-liter turbocharged V8 engine as the pre-facelift Cayenne Turbo. Power is channeled to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

If we are to believe Cardi, the Stalinmobile 'Volgarized' Cayenne can accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Ford Closing Down Russian Plant for a Month

The so-called "global economic crisis" has struck again, this time in Russia as Ford announced on Monday that it would halt production at its plant in Vsevolozhsk, near St. Petersburg, for almost a month, from December 24 until January 21. Under normal circumstances, the 2,200 workers that are employed at Ford's Russian factory would have taken a holiday break from January 1 to 10. Under the Russian Labor Code, Ford will have to pay its employees two-thirds of their normal wages during the close-down. According to Ford, the longer holidays will allow the company to finish preparations for the start of production of the new Mondeo scheduled for March 2009.

From Russia with Love: Cardi Body II Roadster Based on BMW 325i

Is it a Thunderbird? Is it an Alfa? No, it's the Body II: a two-seater roadster made by Russian design and tuning firm, Cardi and it was shown to the public for the first time back in 2003 at the Moscow International Auto Show. The Body II rides on a BMW 3-Series platform (most likely the E36) and it's equipped with a 2.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 196HP. Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission. As you can see in the pictures after the jump, the Body II's interior uses many bits and pieces from the 325i including the instrument panel, the switchgear and the front seats.

Cardi claims that roadster weighs in at 1,470 kg (3,241 lbs) and that it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6,6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The custom-made roadster's design brings to mind the basic shape of the retro-styled Ford Thunderbird sprinkled with Alfa Romeo details especially in what concerns the front-end of the vehicle. Stud or dud? We'll you be the judge of that.