Pangolina 444GT: The Soviet-Era Wedge-Shaped Sports Car
Forgotten ONES - For a moment, let us return to Russia during the Cold War, when the country was better known as the Soviet Union, stretching from Asia to Europe. Despite the common Western narrative influenced by the Soviet propaganda system, which projected an image of high technical capabilities and continuous development, instilling fear across the Western world, the Soviet Union's automotive industry was massive by producing around 2 million cars a year, it ranked as the sixth-largest manufacturer in the world during early 1980s.
The Pangolina 444GT was a unique, wedge-shaped sports car inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, built by Alexander Kulygin during the restrictive Soviet era. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
Back then, in the USSR, few families could afford a car, but that didn't mean there was no interest in them. On the contrary, many artisanal car projects captured people's interest. Immersed in the Cold War, the Soviet Union isolated itself from the West and aligned only with other communist countries. Everything appeared very restricted, but creativity found its way even in such an environment. An engineer from the Russian city of Ujtá, named Alexander Kulygin demonstrated this with his imaginative endeavor, building the only Pangolina 444GT.
Alexander Kulygin behind the wheel of one of the most iconic Soviet sports cars, his creation, the Pangolina 444GT. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
During that era, Soviet vehicles were commonly viewed as outdated in terms of design and technology. Alexander Kulygin challenged this presumption, and aimed for something much more advanced. Inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, he set out to recreate similar inspiring sports cars with a Soviet twist. His talent and imagination ultimately resulted in one of the most iconic Soviet sports cars.
The Pangolina 444GT, featuring a unique dome entry mechanism that lifts upward, was built over three years based on a VAZ/Lada-2101.(Picture from: Auta5p.eu)
The base of his creation was a VAZ-2101 Zhiguli, a licensed copy of the Fiat 124. It might seem daunting to turn a Fiat 124 into something akin to a Lamborghini, but Kulygin embraced the challenge. After three years of dedication, the Pangolina 444GT was ready in 1982. Its fiberglass body and tubular chassis showcased a remarkable design effort, featuring relatively modern lines that exuded a sporty vibe.
Inside of the Pangolina 444GT featuring with a simple dashboard using conventional parts, but the two aviation-inspired seats were comfortable. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
One of the innovative features was the row of four retractable front lights in the hood's center. These lights improved aerodynamics when not in use. The side windows, composed of three sections of glass, and handmade aluminum tires added to the car's unique appearance. Finding suitable sports tires was a challenge, but Kulygin succeeded.
The Pangolina 444GT, powered by a modest 62 hp 1.2-litre four-cylinder Lada engine, was placed just behind the front axle, attached to the dashboard, which had to be lifted for access. (Picture from: Auta5p.eu)
The most striking feature of the Pangolina 444GT was its entry mechanism. Instead of traditional doors, a dome was designed to lift the roof, sides, and windshield. This heavy structure was operated by a hydraulic system. The large windshield provided excellent visibility, and Kulygin developed a unique wiper arm that efficiently cleared 95% of the glass surface.
The
Pangolina 444GT, with its fiberglass body nested on a tubular chassis,
showcased a remarkable design effort, featuring modern lines that exuded
a sporty vibe. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
Under the hood, instead of an engine, there were radiators and the battery due to the hood's wedge shape. The engine was placed just behind the front axle, attached to the dashboard, which had to be lifted for access. This unconventional placement required several innovative solutions for components like the steering and air filter. Two fuel tanks were positioned in front of the rear axle.
A detailed cutaway of the Pangolina 444GT was published in a technical leaflet during the Soviet era, showcasing the incredible achievement of a single individual in designing this car.(Picture from: Auta5p.eu)
With its front-central engine placement, the Pangolina 444GT was one of the few Soviet cars with such a configuration. The 1.2-litre, four-cylinder Lada engine produced a modest 62 hp. While not powerful by Western standards, it was impressive for Soviet roads, allowing the car to reach a top speed of 180 km/h.
During its heyday, the Pangolina 444GT was painted blue and gained fame as a Russian star during its tour in the USSR, even making an appearance in the 1985 film "Секрет 'Лауры' (Laura's Secret).(Picture from: DNA.fr)
The dashboard was simple, using conventional parts, but the two aviation-inspired seats were comfortable. Instead of rear-view mirrors, Kulygin used a periscope for rear visibility right up the the driver-side. The car gained attention in Moscow, featuring in exhibitions, newspapers, and even a film. It made an international appearance at the Expo-85 car exhibition in Bulgaria, where modifications were made for compliance, including additional lights and mirrors.
This is not the second iteration of the Pangolina 444GT, but a reconstruction result after an accident in the mid-1990s, featuring a targa roof, more conventional doors, and a reinforced bottom. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sportscar)
Despite the modifications, the Pangolina retained its charm. Kulygin never built a second unit, and he continued using it until an accident in the mid-1990s. The dome was damaged, leading to a reconstruction that included a targa roof, more conventional doors and reinforcement of the car's bottom. The car was repainted red, inspired by Ferrari, but some original charm was lost with modern updates like a new steering wheel, red and black upholstery, and a CD radio with a subwoofer.
The
Pangolina 444GT was repainted red, inspired by Ferrari, but some
original charm was lost with modern updates like a new steering wheel,
red and black upholstery, and a CD radio with a subwoofer. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sportscar)
Alexander Kulygin's innovative spirit was recognized, and he joined Russian automaker AZLK in the late 1980s. He emigrated to the United States in the mid-1990s, starting a business developing and selling car kits based on the Pontiac Fiero. Tragically, he died in a traffic accident in 2004. His legacy, the Pangolina 444GT, remains one of the most iconic and remarkable Soviet cars in history. This car stands as a symbol of boundless creativity and ambition that thrived even in the most restrictive environments, reminding us that ingenuity can flourish anywhere.
The reconstructed Pangolina 444GT, now on display at the Museum of Retro Cars in Rogozhsky Val, Moscow, is a testament to human creativity and determination. (Picture from: DepositPhotos)
The story of the Pangolina 444GT, (reportedly now sat on display at the Museum of Retro Cars in Rogozhsky Val, Moscow) is a testament to human creativity and determination. Despite the many restrictions of the time, Kulygin's innovative spirit shone through, creating a car that continues to captivate enthusiasts.
It serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, visionaries can produce extraordinary achievements. This legacy encourages us to push boundaries and pursue our passions, no matter the obstacles in our path. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR.ES | VIARETRO | ALL-ANDORA | AUTA5P.EU | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTSCAR | AUTOPUZZLES | STORY-CARS | IMCDB.ORG | {PIATAAUTO.MD | DNA.FR ]
