GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia supported Moscow – Zavidovo vintage car rally

115213 September 18, 2023 The diplomatic rally on September 16 started at the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The event was organized by the Gorky Classic Automobile Historical Society supported by the Main Administration for Service to the Diplomatic Corps (GlavUpDK under the MFA of Russia).

Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, sent a welcome letter to the rally participants: "Your rally from the central building on Smolenka to the Zavidovo Recreation Complex in the Tver Region provides a unique opportunity to enjoy spectacular races, experience the historical environment as well as learn more about Russia's technical heritage, get to know the traditions of the diplomatic corps better. Even more so as the event features the car brands that the diplomatic corps in the Soviet era employed.”

A big vintage car exhibition launched in the center of Moscow. Forty crews lined up at the famous MFA's high-rise building, including models of the Gorky Automobile Plant – the legendary GAZ-24, GAZ-21, M-20 Pobeda, as well as executive class cars GAZ-13 and GAZ-14.

Fans of classic cars were happy to see the most popular Soviet cars, such as Moskvich 412, Moskvich-2140 and cars manufactured at the Volga Automobile Plant. The foreign brands were represented by Jaguar, Mercedes, and Buick.

The participants covered a distance of more than 140 kilometers, finishing the rally on the banks of the Volga River – at the Zavidovo Recreation Complex in the Tver Region. There, the GAZ-24 (Volga) car received the Audience Choice Award.