THE LAST MOSKVITCH 434 IN THE UK

In the distant past, when The Goodies was the highlight of the BBC2 schedule and a Wimpy 'Shanty Grill’ represented the pinnacle of fine dining, some Eastern European cars were more frequently sighted than others. Volgas were mainly glimpsed in Cold War dramas, but Wartburg Knights and Skoda S110s were sometimes found outside the local Wavy Line store. By the late 1970s, Ladas could be spotted among the Austin Allegros on the A27. It also seemed to be a rule that all woodwork teachers must drive either a Bedford HA or a Moskvitch 434.

Today, MPW 708 L is believed to be the sole Moskvitch van on the road in the UK - MOSKVICH 434 VAN - How Many Left?. The brand made its UK debut in 1959 when Thompson & Taylor promoted the 402 at the Earls Court Motor Show. Five years later, it was superseded by the 408 and Motor complained, "the lack of attention to such matters as vibration and gearbox noise, heavy brakes and the poor acceleration have removed much of the cream from the borscht". But they also noted, "there really is no Western equivalent which provides so many of the "extra" features in such an unsophisticated, low-cost basic vehicle".

In 1967 the latest 412 featured a 1.5-litre overhead cam engine, and by 1973 the importer Satra Motors had sold around 14,500 examples. This 1972 advertisement from the previous year vividly illustrates the many and various charms of the Moskvitch range.

As for the 434 van, it was practical and durable – qualities that impressed the average operator rather than the vagaries of fashion. The driver could even boast they were behind the wheel of a light commercial with a rally pedigree. A young driver named Tony Lanfranchi noted the current Group One Production Saloon Car Championship classified entrants via their pre-tax cost rather than their engine size. Furthermore, Satra priced the 1.5-litre Moskvitch to compete against the Mini and the Hillman Imp in the UK. The advertisements read, "Marathon tested, rally tested and now Race proven".

By October of 1974, the 434 van cost £699, and its pick-up stablemate was £799 - both ex VAT. Unfortunately, the 412 range was now attracting unfavourable attention from the British motoring press, especially from the Consumer Association and Motor – "the design and decor smacks of the shoddy mid-fifties" being just one comment from the latter. As a result, Moskvitch imports ceased in 1975, by which time Satra had already started to market Ladas.

MPW was registered at Hazeldene Motors of Norwich in June 1973 to its first owner Lord Walpole of Wolverton Hall. Unfortunately, he laid up the 434 in 1977 due to a blown head gasket. When the vendor acquired it in 2016, the mileage amounted to 16,663. The Moskvitch was then revived after nearly four decades of dry storage and underwent "what turned out to be a six-year restoration project to the standard letter than factory finish. A full bare metal respray, full nut and bolt strip down and rebuild".

And the result looks even better than the pictures in the Satra brochure. So those woodwork teachers of the 1970s really possess a sense of style... Moskvich 434 Van UK Car RHD 1973 - Better than NEW | eBay