ZIL, Automobile Factory named after Likhachev ZIL 111 - A (diecast 1:43, Norev)

This is ZIL - 111A. The model is made by Norev in scale 1:43. Nothing opens.
ZIL-111 is a Soviet passenger car that was used by the country's top leadership and important people. Gathered in several body styles, used in numerous parades. Released in a small number of copies, which makes the car unique.

The history of the creation of the ZIL-111
Until the middle of the last century, the Soviet leadership used the ZIS-110 for movement. By the end of the 50s, the car was morally and technically obsolete, so it needed to be replaced. The country needed a new transport that would maintain the image of a major state on the world stage.

In 1948, a modification of the 110th model was designed, which received the index "M". She retained the old chassis, but received a restyled body with modern outlines inherent in the 1948 Pobeda. The car was a prototype. Experts among themselves called it ZIS-111, but this name was not indicated in official documents.

In the mid-1950s, designer Valentin Rostkov developed a new project for the state machine. According to him, a new sample was assembled with a new chassis. The development of the new chassis was carried out by a team led by A.N. Ostrovtsev, who also led the ZIS-110 project. The new model was named ZIS-111 "Moscow". Unofficial sources claimed that the first copies of the sedan received a chassis from the 110th model.

The main difference from the old generation is the modern body design. It combines the best features of premium passenger vehicles from American manufacturers Cadillac, Packard and Buick. The appearance turned out to be banal, there was nothing unique in it. Until 1956, 2-3 copies were collected. They were shown at many domestic exhibitions, but they did not arouse consumer interest. In 1955, American counterparts switched to a new design direction, so the new car was inferior to them in beauty.

To solve the problem, the company launched a competition for the design of the machine. Many interesting options came from different parts of the Union. The final choice was made from two proposals - Rostkov and Lev Eremeev (he worked at the GAZ enterprise, developed the Volga GAZ-21 and ZIM-13, which later became known as the Chaika). The choice was made in favor of the idea of ​​​​Leo Eremeev, having prepared a model from plasticine in 1956. Valentin Rostkov did not accept the loss, so he left his job the same year.

Release history ZIL-111

The first working copy was assembled in 1961. Distinctive features were the radiator lining, new bumpers, twin headlights. The rest of the design decisions strongly resembled the original version.

Over the course of the year, the appearance was changed even more: the taillights got a round shape, the windshield received a new design, frames and moldings were replaced with new ones, and the engine power was increased. If you evaluate the full picture, it becomes clear that the main design decisions are taken from the 61 Cadillac. The release in small batches continued from 1962 to 1966.

On the basis of "G" collected several modifications. The first was the model with the index "B", which received an opening body. The name of the second received the addition "D". The car was a parade phaeton. The first open ZIL-111 was assembled in early 1963, when the restyling of the standard version was completed.
At the end of April 1963, Fidel Castro visited the Likhachev plant as part of a visit to the USSR. He was given an official gift - a new open premium car. Castro went home by plane, and his new transport to Cuba was delivered by steamer to the hands of the USSR ambassador in that country. He personally handed over the transport to Fidel Castro already on the island.

In the subsequent period, several more copies were collected. Four of them were planned to be used at state celebrations and parades. According to the plant, a total of 8 cars with the “D” index were assembled. November 7, 1967 saw the debut of cars on Red Square. They took part in the parade dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. Until that time, the first variants of the 111th model took part in the parades, the condition of which did not cause any complaints. In the same year, the Likhachev plant produced the first batch of the 114th model, which was distinguished by its strict design and high-quality interior trim.

Phaeton 111D were used in military parades until the mid-70s. For the army, they were painted gray-green. They were replaced by modern ZIL-117V convertibles for that period. Until the end of the 80s, decommissioned cars were carefully stored in the garage of the Ministry of Defense. In 1987, they were officially transferred to the Fire Department of the Moscow Region, where they are today.

ZIL-111D is listed as three more copies, the body of which was painted black. One car was sent as a gift to the GDR, the other two were stored at the enterprise for a long time. Their further fate is unknown. The main "know-how" of domestic products was the button for automatically opening the roof. People of that period in the design remember the antennas on the hind wings. They played a functional and decorative role. A total of 112 machines of all modifications were produced.

Length - 6,140 millimeters;
Width - 2,040 millimeters;
Height - 1,640 millimeters;
Clearance - 180 millimeters;
The volume of the power plant - 6 liters;
The power of the power unit is 200 horsepower;
Box - automatic;
Drive - rear;
Maximum speed - 170 km / h;
The volume of the fuel tank is 120 liters.

Motor

The new ZIL-111 engine has become shorter by one and a half meters due to the two-row arrangement of eight cylinders. The mass was reduced by using aluminum in the production of pistons and reducing the number of crankshaft journals from 8 to 4 (this was achieved by placing two connecting rods on one journal). The volume of one cylinder is 5.969 liters. At 4,200 rpm, 200 horsepower is achieved, which is 60 more than the 110th model.

Power was increased by increasing compression and improving the filling of the cylinders with fuel (the exhaust pipes were shortened, and the cylinder heads were equipped with overhead valves). The use of a new generation K-85 carburetor played an important role in improving power. It consisted of four chambers. They began to work one after another, depending on the speed of transport. This design solution reduced fuel consumption when driving in the city and increased the maximum speed to 170 km / h.

A feature of the ZIL-111 was an automatic transmission. She was called new, but before that she was equipped with a small series of the 21st Volga. After that, it was also used on Chaika.

Dimensions

When creating a car, the designers tried to reduce the height, but leave the clearance the same. Also an important detail was the placement of seats for passengers inside the wheelbase. The lower height improved road holding and aerodynamics at high speeds. Rear sofa increased in size.

Hydraulic booster

Power steering was added to the ZIL-111 design. This was a novelty for domestic passenger transport. He simplified the rotation of the steering wheel four times. Driving a car with such an addition has become easier. The power steering also added comfort - when driving over bumps, jolts in the steering wheel were not felt.

The hydraulic booster device included a power cylinder, a control spool and an oil pump, which were connected to the steering mechanism. A double-acting vane type oil pump was installed in front of the motor. A belt drive from the crankshaft pulley was responsible for his work.

Brake system

Consisted of two systems - foot and manual. Thanks to them, the driver could brake with a minimum braking distance even at high speed. The foot mechanism had an effect on all wheels. It was supplemented by a hydraulic drive with an amplifier, which reduced the effort required from the driver when pressing the brake pedal. One cylinder was responsible for the operation of the rear pads, two cylinders were responsible for the operation of the front pads.

Comparison of GAZ 13 Chaika and ZIL-111

One of the main differences is molding. In Chaika, it has a bright expression, indicated by a highlighted relief. The design of the molding of the 111th model is simpler, but gives the transport a character of swiftness. From the front, it looks more emotional. The length of the Seagull is 5.5 meters, and the ZIL-111 is a little more than 6 meters.

The audacity of "111" was given by fangs on the bumpers. Fog lamps received a rectangular shape. For decorative purposes, the emblem and grille were covered with gold. Seagull on the background of this car looked gentler and calmer. The taillights of both cars are fin-style, but the Chaika has a more modern look.

The volume of the Chaika's power unit is less than half a liter, inferior in power by 5 horsepower. There are more aluminum parts in the engine, so the weight is less. The mass of the gearbox is less, despite the greater number of speeds. Due to the lower weight, the Chaika accelerates to 100 km / h in 20 seconds, and the ZIL-111 in 23 seconds. The fuel consumption of the first is 23 liters per 100 kilometers, the second is 30 liters.

The interior of the Seagull is based on design solutions from Packard. The dashboard "111" is also borrowed from American colleagues and is not inferior in quality. The interior trim of both cars uses high-quality and expensive materials that have served the owners for many years with proper care. Seagull was the first in the history of the Russian automotive industry to receive power windows.

The popularity of the Seagull in Russia is higher than that of the ZIL-111. It had a simplified design, did not require careful maintenance and expensive maintenance. The advantage is explained by the production time and the number of issued copies.

What can be the conclusion?

ZIL-111 is a premium car of the USSR. It was remembered by many residents of the socialist period, was used by the leading leadership of the country. Many people dreamed of such a machine, but it was beyond reality due to small-scale production and a clear purpose for certain government agencies. Some copies have survived to this day, they are kept in private collections and cost a lot of money. People try to find cars in poor condition in order to restore them and bring them back to their original condition.