Moskvitch AZLK 2140 BMW M52B28

Background

This project began with a classic Moskvitch that had been frozen in time for over 25 years. It arrived with its original 1.5L UZAM-412 inline-four and a mountain of red tape: the car still carried Soviet-era registration papers, hadn't seen an inspection since the 90s, and the legal owner had long since passed away. It was a project that most would have walked away from—a combination of a bureaucratic nightmare and a massive mechanical leap of faith.

The Turnaround

The goal was ambitious: swap the aging Soviet powerplant for a legendary BMW M52B28. Because the German straight-six is significantly larger than the original Russian four-cylinder, "plug and play" wasn't an option. We performed extensive modifications to both the engine and the chassis to shoehorn the larger unit into place.

Beyond the heavy fabrication, we treated the engine bay to a full aesthetic overhaul, ensuring the finish was as clean as the engineering. While we were turning wrenches, we were also fighting the paper trail. Against the odds, we navigated the complex legal hurdles to get the car back on the registry—officially documenting an engine swap that tripled the car's original horsepower.

True Soviet Sleeper

The result is a total "wolf in sheep’s clothing." What was once a forgotten relic is now a fully legal, modernized cruiser that blends vintage Soviet aesthetics with Bavarian muscle. With the M52B28 providing a smooth, reliable, and massive power increase, this Moskvitch has been transformed from a stationary museum piece into a properly sorted street car. It’s now ready to surprise anyone who pulls up next to it at a red light, proving that even the most difficult projects are worth saving.