Laura: The Enduring Soviet Sports Car Journeying Through Time

Forgotten ONES - In the world of automotive history, certain cars manage to capture our attention not just because of their performance, but because of the stories behind their creation. One such car is the Soviet-era 'Laura'. While Soviet automobiles were mostly known for their practical, sometimes uninspiring and boring designs, the Laura broke away from the norm, offering a glimpse into what might have been if innovation had taken center stage in Russia’s automotive industry. This story is a tale of passion, ambition, and a dream to create something that could stand alongside global competitors.

The first iteration of the Laura prototype, a sports car that defied the limitations of Soviet engineering and aimed for something exceptional, was created by Dmitry Parfenov and Gennady Hainov in 1985. (Picture from: RussiaBeyond)

During the era of the Soviet Union, automotive projects often focused on mass production of outdated designs filled with borrowed technology. However, within this sea of sameness, there were rare and unique projects that stood out, one of which was the Laura. This car wasn’t just another prototype; it was a bold experiment by two automotive enthusiasts, Dmitry Parfenov and Gennady Hainov. Together, they embarked on a mission to build a sports car that defied the limitations of Soviet engineering, aiming for something exceptional.

Gennady Hainov and Dmitri Parfenov posed along with the two Laura prototype units. (Picture from: MotorPassion)

The name "Laura" might evoke curiosity, especially considering it was not uncommon for car manufacturers around the world to name their creations after women. Yet, the reasoning behind naming this Soviet sports car after Laura, Petrarch’s beloved, remains unclear. What is certain, though, is that this name was tied to a project born from a desire to push boundaries.

The second iteration, dubbed the Laura 2, was created in 1992, based on one of the original 1985 prototypes. (Picture from: WeirdWheels)

In 1985, during the early days of perestroika, the first Laura prototype came to life. Crafted from improvised materials, the car stood out as a sports vehicle unlike anything the Soviet Union had seen before. Despite limited resources—some even speculated it was based on a Lada chassis—Parfenov and Hainov successfully built a car that reached an impressive top speed of 106 miles per hour (170 kilometers per hour). This was a remarkable feat, given the circumstances in which it was developed. The Laura wasn't just fast; it embodied the potential for creativity and innovation, even within the constraints of its environment.

The Laura 2 was designed in the typical style of the 1990s and featured a 240-horsepower engine sourced from Audi. (Picture from: WeirdWheels)

Constructed near Leningrad, today known as St. Petersburg, the Laura was a striking departure from typical Soviet car design. While it wasn’t universally admired for its aesthetics, it did draw comparisons to the Renault Fuego, a car known for its aerodynamic lines. But more importantly, the Laura wasn’t reliant on parts from mass-produced vehicles; even the engine was crafted by hand, a testament to the ingenuity of its creators, and only two prototypes were crafted.

The third iteration, dubbed the Laura 3 was introduced in 1995, built on a Pontiac Fiero platform. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

The legacy of the Laura was short-lived in terms of mass production. Despite its technical achievements and even the supposed recognition it received from Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union's leader at the time, the car never made it to full-scale manufacturing. Yet, it did manage to find its way into international exhibitions, where it left a lasting impression on those who encountered it.

The Laura 3 SXS variant saw only six examples produced and one of them was taken to America by Aleksandr Kuligin, who renamed it the Piranha CJK. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

After its creators went their separate ways, the Laura’s story didn’t end. One of the prototypes was displayed in a local museum, ensuring that it would be remembered by future generations. The second prototype met a different fate, as parts of it were used in the development of the Laura 2 in the 1992. This new iteration featured a 240-horsepower engine sourced from Audi, continuing the legacy of the original project. 

A fully restored version of the Laura 3 SXS, also known as the Piranha CJK, is powered by a 310-horsepower engine. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

By 1995, the Laura 3 was introduced, built on a Pontiac Fiero platform. Its variant, the Laura 3 SXS, saw only six examples produced. One is currently owned by its creator, Dmitry Parfenov, featuring a fully restored version powered by a 310-horsepower engine. Another Laura 3 was taken to the USA by Aleksandr Kuligin, who renamed it the Piranha CJK, though the Laura 3 was never officially sold in the USA. | faW4sn7V-d4 |

The final iteration of the Laura line of Russian sports cars emerged in 2018, featuring bespoke roofless and windowless bodywork. Its design mimicked the rear of a Porsche Carrera GT and bore a Porsche emblem at the front. The speedster loosely used an Audi A8 as starting point, placing its 4.2L V8 at the back for 350-400 hp and retaining its 6-speed automatic transmission.  

The last iteration of the Laura line of Russian sports cars emerged in 2018, featuring bespoke roofless and windowless bodywork. (Picture from: ObscureSupercarOfTheDay)

This one-off creation took five years to complete and was sold for around ₽5M around £44,000 in 2019. Like all Laura iterations, the design showcased the enduring ambition of its creators, continually adapting and evolving over time.

Its design mimicked the rear of a Porsche Carrera GT and was powered by a 4.2L V8 engine from an Audi A8, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. (Picture from: ObscureSupercarOfTheDay)

The Laura stands as a reminder that innovation can flourish even in the most unlikely of places. Its journey from a Soviet prototype to a vehicle that captivated audiences at international exhibitions is a story of vision, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Although it never saw mass production, the Laura’s legacy continues to inspire, proving that even in the face of obstacles, remarkable things can happen. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RUSSIABEYOND | FASTMB.RU | UK.MOTOR1 | STORY-CARS | MOTORPASSION | WEIRDWHEELS | ALLCARINDEX | OBSCURESUPERCAROFTHEDAY IN X ]

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