Brezhnev's secret passion goes under hammer

A posh black Mercedes 600 which once belonged to one of the longest-serving Soviet leaders, Leonid Brezhnev, is going under the hammer at auction in Germany. Since Brezhnev's death, thr owner of the car has been a mystery.

The car’s next owner will be able to take a cruise in a piece of Soviet history.

The communist leader was known for a passion for luxury, and the hand-made car was just one vehicle in his collection.

In the 1960s the Mercedes 600 was believed to be the best ever vehicle in the world. The Pope, John Lennon and Chairman Mao were among its fans.

Leonid Brezhnev ruled the Soviet Union from 1964 until his death in 1982, a period associated with the beginning of the USSR’s economic decay.

As huge money continued to be poured into producing weapons, the country struggled to keep up with the west in the arms race. At the same time food and consumer goods began to disappear from shops.

Leonid Brezhnev had to conceal his luxurious tastes. So, in public he only used Soviet limousines – the ZIL and the Chaika. 

But Brezhnev's infatuation with high-end cars was only a top secret for Soviet people. Western leaders were well aware of it. American President Richard Nixon presented him with a Lincoln, and the German Chancellor Willie Brandt with a cherry Mercedes.