Finland holds auction for USSR cars abandoned by migrants

Finnish customs authorities say more than 100 mostly vintage Soviet cars abandoned by migrants crossing the Nordic country’s border with Russia have actually been sold in a two-day auction that drew some 1,300 car enthusiasts to the Arctic.

Spokesperson from the customs unit in Salla stated Saturday the Finnish state netted some 19,000 euros ($21,000) for the sale of 129 cars.

Lots of were rusty Soviet-era Ladas and Volgas dated to 1970s and 1980s.

The cars, sold primarily to collectors in rates ranging from one euro to a couple of hundred euros, were left by migrants previously this year. Finland barred individuals from crossing the vehicles-only border point in Salla on bicycles for safety factors.

The greatest price in the auction was spent for a rare Volga 3010 model, which sold for 1,200 euros ($1,318) to the Salla Municipality “as a souvenir,” county official Asko Viitanen said.