Eastblock

It depends a lot on the condition it is in. I just sold one for £750 that was a runner in need of work and it was not registered. I paid more for it but that is a different story. A good one that is UK registered would be around £2000-£2500 if bought privately - considerably more from dealers. They are much better than a Series Landy IMHO but then I'm biased :-)

The NVA did a rewire on the Gaz69 but unfortunately no diagram seems to be available. They put in a lot more fuses than it would have had originally. My Gaz does not retain the original side-valve engine but has a S-21 OHV engine out of a Polish Zuk van. It is pretty much a bolt in replacement and it has 10bhp more than the sv engine. The Gaz69 was only manufactured at the Gorki factory for a couple of years. It then moved to Uljanovsk. This explains why most of the Gaz69's have "Uaz" on the front and not "Gaz".

I've seen the pillaged remains of a IS-2 next to a T-34 in Ukraine. It's a bit of a beast!

Probably depends on who you ask and how big their wallet is.

I'm well aware of that - I know several dealers who can supply them. I was interested in finding out if there are any current owners in the UK.

No, I don't have one but I'd like to have one. In fact I often hear of people who would like one yet I have not come across anyone in the UK who owns one. Practical Classics had one as a price a year or two ago but that needed a fair amount of work.

Many thanks, much appreciated :cheesy:

Here is my 1954 Praga V3S. It is an ex-Czech military truck. This one was used a a radio vehicle. There are a few of them in the UK. 7.4l straight six cylinder aircooled diesel with 98bhp Selectable 4 or 6-wheel drive, hi/low range Portal axles and diffllocks Topspeed 38mph!! They were in production from 1952 until around the 90's

Nice original Gaz you have there. It still has the sidelights and the "warthog" tow hooks on it. The ex-NVA ones miss those features. The Gaz are very off-road capable and a lot more comfortable on bad roads than a Land Rover due to their soft suspension. The Gaz factory in Gorki was founded by Ford in the 1930's. Here is mine:

What exactly defines "laden". Some say it is OK for me to carry some personal belongings in my pre-1960 truck, others say I cannot carry anything in the back of it. If the latter is true then my plans to go camping with it are scubbered.

Welcome. I'm in Harpenden and collect Warsaw Pact vehicles, both military and civilian.

Same in Germany and Denmark for non-commercial vehicles. MOT is about money, not safety IMNSHO.

I won't object to vehicle testing as long as it is done based on a standard that is appropriate for the age of the vehicle. And of course the test centres need to be plentiful so you don't have to wait a long time for an appointment and have to drive long distance for the test. However I am not sure what the test aims to achieve. It only proves that the vehicle is "safe" at the time of being tested. It could develop a serious fault on the way home from the testing station. If safety is a concern, scrap the test and all the bureaucracy and cost that comes with it. Spend the money on more spot checks and apply appropriate fines if vehicles don't meet the required standards.

Wouldn't our vehicles fall under the "16. Limited use vehicles" in annex A and therefore be exempt? One argument that could (should?) be brought up is the financial impact to the economy if testing was imposed on collectors vehicles. It would kill a big part of the hobby which would have a devastating effect on the hundreds of shows held around the country each year - shows that bring in paying public to see the vehicles and thereby helps line the VAT and TAX mans coffers. PS: Lets not leave the EU as I would probably get kicked out of the country then!

I guess that vehicles from behind the iron curtain aren't considered of historic importance on this forum. Nor do French, Italian etc. vehicles seem to be catered for. Perhaps the HMVF name is a bit misleading?

I think they went for the "later" option

No, it's a 4 stroke air-cooled engine. Basically half of a Tatra V-12. Spares for Russian vehicles is not an issue and Urals can be had for less if you collect one in the East yourself.

No, it was bought privately but I think it may have been imported originally from Duncan Nicholson. Apparently it was mint when it first came to the country but it has suffered a bit from standing outdoors for 5 years. Mechanically it is like new, only just done 2000km.

I wear a M65 jacket daily. It keeps me warm, is comfortable and didn't cost a lot. Other than that I don't wear any military clothing. I have a Ukranian camo uniform but it seems to have shrunk?

This was my Christmas present. I got it a bit early. Also got a book and a mug.

So, were Eastern Block vehicles deemed "not worthy" in the end?

Windscreen arrived here today and it was nice to see my old Gaz on the cover. That, and the coverage in CMV has really made my day even if I don't own it anymore. My current Gaz has a more erm.. "functional" look but a nicer hood from proper canvas. I must convince Bill to buy one for AMJ.

I spend most of my time on these two: http://www.rcgroups.com - mainly the micro and indoor forum http://www.russianmilitarytrucks.com Also visit here from time to time: http://www.gaz69m.com

It was a bit of a joke really. I spoke to both local and Swansea DVLA and they were firm on the "you can't drive it here" policy. DVLA Swansea even suggested they would "take measures" if I did. No details of what those measures were. Anyway, I forked out £105 to rent a low-loader and drove to the local DVLA. Inspector comes out, says "Oh, so that's what a Gaz looks like", asks where the VIN number is, says he can't read it but that doesn't matter as it's on the German registration papers. Took less than a minute.

Just do it. Once it is back in running condition you need an MOT and then you can get it registered. If it has no paperwork you will need a dating letter (MVT can help with that). DVLA may insist on seeing the vehicle before issuing a registration which is a pain as you are not allowed to drive it there. I've driven two Russian jeeps back from Germany and didn't have any problems.