1956-58 GAZ M-21 Volga Automobile.

[Mark Crowel]

This model started out as an experiment. It was to be a 1950 Studebaker, using patterns from a couple of my previous builds, and it was to be only a styling study. I wanted to develop a model with an old style toy like appearance, by making the center body section disproportionately narrow. It wasn't even supposed to be finished; just built up enough so I could get an idea of how it would look.

As I built it, I couldn't decide if it had the effect I was hoping for, so I continued to build. Maybe, I thought, making it a little more complete would help me make up my mind about it.

For simplicity's sake I gave it a blunt front end, so I then decided it would be a '47 Stude, instead of a '50. I used laminated corrugated construction, whereby I cut profile-shaped pieces of corrugated cardboard for each section of the car's body, and glued them together side by side to build up the shape.

At some point, I decided that the model had similar lines and proportions to the Russian GAZ M-21 Volga, which was in production, keeping the same body style, from 1956-1970. There were technical improvements, and grille and trim changes during the fourteen year production run. It was sold in Russia, and Eastern and Western Europe, and was respected for its durability.

So, a Volga it became, and I finished it in two nights.

[dansls1]

I'm not familiar with the original car, but I like the lines of the model, nice job

[Phil]

Interesting! I used to scratch-build balsa wood cars using the profile technique you described. They were all given as gifts so I can't show pics.

[redhorse]

Looks great, Mark! I really like how car evolved.

[Mark Crowel]

Thank you, gentlemen.

Dan, here is a link to a photo of a real Volga: GAZ M21 Volga on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Phil: here is a link to Otto Vallastro's wooden model car website, showing that "bread and butter" method of construction: 1940

[Phil]

Thanx for that link Mark! Bread and butter...never heard that before.

[Mark Crowel]

A photo of a real 1963 Volga, in the same family since new.

[Mark Crowel]

Here is a new website about Russian cars, started by two Americans:

Russiancars Forum

[Mark Crowel]

I recently finished designing and building another homemade paper model of a Volga M-21, this time from cardstock, crayon-colored (periwinkle blue and wedgewood blue), single box-type construction.

This model provides a somewhat more accurate depiction of a Volga. The grille on this model was the style used by the M-21 series Volgas from 1963-1970.

[Mark Crowel]

Side windows, windshield, (notice drawn-on "interior"), and rear angle view.