ZIL

Soviet Union, 1956 to date

Zavod Imieni Likhacheva, Moscow

The large Zil car, a seven-seater limousine is the luxury car of Soviet Union and a continuation of the previous Zis series, built at the Likhachev factory, formerly known as the Stalin Works.

The Zil car, as the Zis car before it, is not generally available on the open market, for the Zil car is used largely by government officials. The Zil cars are built to order by the government and no production figures of Zil cars have ever been published, but they are certainly quite limited, and thus the Zil car was very expensive units to produce. The Zil car factory turns out a variety of other products including trucks, bicycles and refrigerators and is the second largest factory in Russia.

In 1956 the name of the Zil car factory was changed from Staling and the new Zil car commenced with Zil 111. This Zil car series, like its predecessor, was largely Packard influenced with a frontal treatment much like the 1956 American car. Some 111-V tourers Zil cars were built and a 112 Zil car sports is reported to have been made. The engine of the Zil car was a V8 of 220bhp driving an automatic transmission with push button shift. Power assisted brakes and steering featured on the Zil car with other high grade appointments.

In 1963 the greatly revised Zil 111-G was introduced with styling more like that of General Motors. A 6-litre V8 of 120bhp at 4.200rpm is used in this Zil car, giving the Zil car a reported maximum speed of 106mph.

A prototype Zil car was shown in 1960 with six headlights and a mixture of Ford an General Motors ideas, but this Zil car never re-appeared and was apparently abandoned as too flamboyant. In 1970 a new limousine Zil car was announced. This Zil 114 had razor-edged styling above the waistline, and the Zil car was powered by a 7-litre V8 engine. Air-conditioning was standard.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; BE 

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@postwarclassic.com