Tbilisi AutoMuseum — Attraction in Tbilisi

Want to be in the fast lane with the Molotovs, be like Beria? This is the museum for you. An excellent collection (they claim the best) of Soviet cars and motorbikes in the Caucasus.(Probably the only one, if truth be told.) It's the brainchild of a local Georgian businessman.

Part of the reason for the lack of visitors is the museum's off centre location. It's basically up a dusty unmade road, in what looks like an industrial estate. Getting here by public transport was a challenge, involving several different buses and a journey through some pretty foresaken urban dereliction. It's well worth the effort though.

As always with Soviet cars, it's a matter of spot the DKW, Opel, Packard, Ford, Lincoln, Fiat, NSU, Chevrolet and BMW. There are some really historic, and rare cars here.

For instance, there is Eduard Shevardnadze's Gaz-14 "Chaika" of 1978, a cross between a Lincoln and a Mercedes. (Shevardnadze had the car up to 1985, presumably a consequence of being Gorbachev's Foreign Minister.)

Or there is the Gaz-12 "Zim", as graced the posterior of Molotov (also called the "Molotov" given its purpose) dating from 1949. This car was general issue for members of the Politburo, so would have also carried Beria and the rest. I am pictured sitting in the rear of this car and can attest to the comfort of the seating. It's a knock off of a Buick from the same period. This is the car that would have carried, Molotov, Beria and Khrushchev to Stalin's dacha, when he lay dying, as captured in the Armando Iannucci film "Death of Stalin", with great comic effect.

And there is the Gaz-13 "Chaika" (also known as a Zil) which would have conveyed the ample bottom of Nikita Khrushchev, the General Secretary. This particular example dates from 1959. Though a facsimile of a contemporary Packard Carribbean, it's a car with immense presence.

There's yet more....

For instance, the Gaz-24 the "Volga", which was transport for high (but not the highest) officials and of course the KGB. Here, the colour was everything. Black, and it was official. This was not a car you wanted to see outside your apartment. This particular example (in Sinister Black), dates from 1970 and is copy of the Chevrolet Malibu.

There is yet more. There is the Gaz M-1 from 1936. This is the classic NKVD car, that would have conveyed Beria, during the mass purges of the 1930s. (The NKVD was the predecessor to the KGB.) This is absolutely not a vehicle you would have wanted to have drawn up outside your residence at 3 am (or at any time really) in 1937. It would be next stop the Lubyanka.

Finally, a striking white Gaz-M20 "Pobeda" (Victory) dating from ,1946 is to be found. This was a copy of a...

Da comrade we see Soviet car collection... We drink vodka.... It good day 🇷🇺🍸🚗💨

Incredible collection of Soviet era automobiles and motorcycles. Every one of these cars actually run and drive! All are used on a semi regular basis... Which in and of itself is pretty impressive given they are made decades ago with probably not the most strict quality control 🤷‍♂️

All of these vehicles were professionally restored here on site and are kept in great running order by the local Georgian mechanics. Really impressive to see these cars as they would have left the factory decades ago 👌👌👌

The tour was given by a great guide who spoke pretty good English and was very passionate about these vehicles. It was cool to see just how the USSR was manufacturing essentially clones of the Western cars and motorcycles for almost 70 years straight. Literally copying everything from the engines down to the nuts and bolts of the wheels and axles... With quite a bit less quality control but almost identical to BMW or even Cadillac back in their days 🤯

Crazy that in the Soviet era not everyone had a car obviously... The people that did were generally higher ups of society or in the higher ranking government official offices. All the black cars were official government vehicles up to and including the KGB. Never good if you wake up with one of these black cars out front of your front door 🕵️🙈🤣

Something I never realized was there was only one taxi company in all of the USSR.... It was government ran and pretty much a disaster buuuut the cars themselves were fairly solid even if they broke quite often due to a lack of maintenance or even absence of roads in a lot of regions.

This museum is more than educational... It's an absolute blast and very enlightening 🤩

One of my favorite cars in this museum was made for soldiers who were returning from war missing limbs. All of the controls for the vehicle were on the steering wheel and this allowed the disabled veterans to still be mobile. Never seen anything quite like this little car but it was really something...

Tbilisi Auto Museum – A Hidden Gem for Car Enthusiasts and History Lovers

Tbilisi Auto Museum is an absolute must-visit for anyone interested in classic cars and history. Tucked away in an unassuming location, this museum offers a surprisingly rich and well-preserved collection of vintage automobiles, many of which have significant historical value.

One of the highlights of the museum is the car collection that once belonged to notable Soviet figures, including Lavrentiy Beria and Eduard Shevardnadze. Seeing these vehicles up close adds a unique historical perspective, making it more than just a car exhibition—it’s a journey through time.

The museum features a wide range of automobiles, from early 20th-century models to Soviet-era classics, all restored and maintained in excellent condition. The collection includes luxury limousines, military vehicles, and even some rare models that are hard to find anywhere else.

The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about the collection, providing interesting insights into the history and significance of each car. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing visitors to take their time admiring the details of each vehicle.

If you’re a car enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone looking for a unique experience in Tbilisi, the Auto Museum is definitely worth a visit. Highly...