News

The Bulgarian national guard service is organising a garage sale for 20 luxury Soviet-built luxury cars Chaika on July 7, Reuters news agency announced. The main idea behind it is to clear up the former secret police garage from its old attributes. 'Chaika' in Bulgarian means a seagull, as it does in Russian.

Black, floors covered with Persian carpets, lace – curtained windows, the limousines were fitted for the likes of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, even the first woman to fly in space in 1963, Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova, had at one point taken advantage of the luxury vehicle.

In Bulgaria, the cars were in operation during the Communist era, and, prior to 1989, had been in the service not only of the country's political elite, but had also been a smooth ride for all head of states and prime ministers visiting the country between 1960s to 1990, Zlati Raikov, head of the guard service's garage, said as quoted by Reuters.

Suggested auction starting price is $18 500 dollars (23 000 leva), and so far, interest toward the Soviet relics has been expressed from German, Austrian and Russian collectors, Reuters reported. Some lower-class Volgas and Ladas would also be offered for sale.

The negotiated bidding will happen between 9am and 11.30am July 7 at the guard service's garage located on 43 Cherni Vruh boulevard in Sofia.

July 4 2008, Source: sofiaecho.com