Moskwitch 400 Convertible 1949

The Opel Kadett K38 was not chosen as the basis for the Moskvich 400 by chance. In 1937 it was a fresh and well-developed design suited to mass production. It had a strong, well-made all-steel unitary body and a 1,074 cc engine producing 23 hp.

Soviet designers chose one of the most expensive four-door Kadett K38 versions, with independent front suspension, to copy. One account holds that Joseph Stalin personally selected the Kadett and prohibited any changes to the body design. Some sources also claim the Moskvich 400 was assembled directly on equipment removed from Opel's Rüsselsheim factory.