ZIL-112C car: description, technical characteristics and reviews

Strange as it may seem, racing cars were designed in the former USSR and corresponding competitions were held. The leading place among sports cars was occupied by ZIL-112S. The machine was developed at the Likhachev Combine in the period from 1957 to 1965. The basis for creating the vehicle was the legendary ZIS-110. The testing of the model was conducted under the guidance of Sergei Glazunov and Vasily Rodionov, who specialized in creating auto for ring races.

ZIL-112 C: characteristics

The car in question was equipped with a front suspension with independent springs. The serial version had a power unit with a capacity of 270/300 horsepower. The motor is equipped with an eight-cylinder V-shaped structure. The working volume is 6 liters. The box is taken from the ZIS-110, equipped with a lightweight crankcase made of aluminum.

Vehicle Features

ZIL-112S is noteworthy in that, at the time of its production, it was found the application of a differential with a self-locking function and a body made of fiberglass. In addition, the car was equipped with a removable steering wheel and a rear suspension, the analogue of which is the popular system "De Dion".

It is worth noting that the late variations of the vehicle in question had a wing-type wheel mounting of several bolts. Before that, there were modifications that were equipped with one central fixing bush. This made it possible to speed up the process of dismantling the wheel.

In its original form ZIL-112S ("Cobra" in Russian) is now quite problematic to find. Admire the car can be in the Riga specialized museum. It is worth noting that on the machine in question in 1964 won the championship of the USSR famous racer of those years Gennady Zharov.

Exterior

The appearance of the legend 1962 ZIL-112C is comparable to the American racing "Cobra". Given the body length of 4.2 meters, the wheelbase is 0.26 m. Despite the fact that the main body part is made of fiberglass, the weight of the car remained considerable. This is due to the fact that the machine is equipped with large power units and tubular type frames.

The exterior of the car in question is very interesting. Despite the fact that many did not know about its release, it does not become less unique from this. The external structural part of the ZIL-112C is painted by Valentin Rostkov, who is also related to the creation of a ZIS-112 racing car. The emphasis is on the wheels, the construction of which makes their dismantling much faster than in standard models.

Dashboard

When landing in a Soviet racing car, his pilot saw a low glass and a stiff dashboard in front of him. On it there were dials. These include a water level indicator, oils, a manometer, an ammeter and a gasoline level controller. In addition, there was a speedometer, the speed reserve at which was 320 km / h. The real runaway of the machine to the maximum is 260 kilometers.

In the "tourist version" inside the cabin a glove box was provided. In addition, in the cabin behind the rider there was a simple arc. The salon itself can be called a fiberglass box. Of the security measures, the pilot had a simple helmet and that's all. You can only bow your head to the athletes who loved cars and speed so much that they ignored such serious things.

Interior fittings

As seen in the photo below, the doors of the ZIL-112S car perform a purely formal function. Comfort for the entrance or exit from the car provides a removable steering column.

Regarding the luggage compartment, it can be noted that it is available. However, given the racing orientation of the car, its entire space is designed primarily for the spare wheel and mounting tools.

Technical indicators

In the first versions of the Soviet sports car ZIL-112S was equipped with a power unit with a V-shaped "eight" for six liters. The engine had aluminum heads and a cast-iron block. Two four-chamber carburetors produced a power of 240 horsepower at 4 thousand revolutions. The following modifications of the engine became even more powerful. We used a seven-liter version for 270 and 300 horses.

The torque of the racing motor was 560 Nm, and the maximum speed of the car reached 280 km. The engine was planned to vary in volume from 7.7 liters to 9 liters. But its use was not realized on the car in question. Rear brake discs are located closer to the reducer, which reduced unsprung masses. Clutch and gearbox are taken from ZIS-110.

The front semi-independent suspension of the legendary car is borrowed from GAZ-21. It is adjusted specifically for this vehicle. It is noteworthy that it was possible to replace the gears in the rear axle gearbox, thereby changing the gear ratio before the specific race.

Modifications

The car in question was produced in two main variations. The first model appeared in 1961. Outwardly, it resembled the 250th Ferrari. Interior designers have modernized, as they could. There were fiberglass panels and a six-liter power unit. Clutch and gearbox with three steps got from ZiS-110, since more suitable units at that time were not in the country.

At ZIL-112S in 1962, the braking knot was transformed. In theory, the Soviet car could pick up acceleration to 260 km / h. It even tried to establish a number of high-speed records. Compared with Western analogues, the car in question looked more like a tourist variant, adapted to racing. However, in reality the car participated in internal ring races and showed good results.

Historical facts

Studying old photographs, it was unusual to see the 112th ZIL in the same row with single formulas on open wheels. Competition, which involved the car in question until 1963, belonged to the sub-category "Group B", and from 1965 - "Formula-5".

Starting season in 1962 for ZIL is difficult to call successful. At the national championship held in Estonia, driver V. Galkin took only the ninth position. But already in the next year he became the third in the race at the Minsk ring.

In the 64th year the vehicle was equipped with an engine from the "Seagull" (200 horses). On it the famous Soviet racer G. Zharkov won bronze and gold in 1965 on the Neman ring. The average speed of arrival was 127 km / h.

It is worth noting that athletes of that time went by cars that had a terrible, by today's standards, manageability. And from the point of view of safety cars left much to be desired. ZIL-112C had not the most ideal brakes, there was no protective capsule and straps.

Auto-legends of the USSR: 112С

The race car in question was produced in batches of small series. Modernized samples were even exported abroad to participate in long runs. However, they could not make a worthy competition. The 112th sports ZIL was determined to retire. Despite the creation of a whole laboratory for the design of this car, it could not be brought to an optimal state.

Soon the sports laboratory was closed due to inexpediency. Now in reality ZIL-112S can be seen in the Riga Museum. The car is carefully stored and sometimes leaves for race races, which is quite surprising. It should be noted that from 1963 to 1965. On this machine five national records were established.

Reviews

Given the specifics of the vehicle and the limited production lot, it is almost impossible to find the opinions of real owners. Nevertheless, taking into account the opinions of specialists and professional reviews, we can note the following pluses of cars:

• Equipping the sports car with disc brakes.
• Upgraded spring suspension.
• Use of a self-locking differential.
• Central nuts on a wing wheel.
• Parking brake of foot type.

Despite all the innovative inclusions, the car had a number of shortcomings (compared to foreign counterparts):

• Weak dynamics of the roadster.
• Imperfect and slowed-down braking system.
• Poor controllability.
• Not a well-developed machine in terms of safety.

If we compare these facts, it can be noted that for those times the technical characteristics of ZIL-112C is the achievement of the Soviet car industry in the racing sphere, although at the level of internal competitions.

Conclusion

As a result of the review of the Soviet racing car, it should be emphasized that in the mid-1960s, developers were able to squeeze the maximum out of available resources. The first domestic disc brakes were introduced. The speed indicator was also at a decent level (260 km / h).

To establish the records of cars equipped with a special streamlined body. It was more convenient to use the wheel for the second modification of the vehicle in question. Several nuts were replaced with one central winged specimen. Thanks to car lovers of retro cars, it was possible to keep the current model ZIL-112C, which is located in the Riga Automobile Museum. The second copy, according to rumors, after the restoration came to Europe to a private owner.

For a number of reasons, the production of the Soviet sports car was soon curtailed in order to channel reserves for the development of government vehicles. During the production, the roadster managed to "try on" the power units for 240, 270, 300 horsepower, considering the motor from the legendary "Seagull". Several elements went to the "car" from the "Volga" and ZIS-110.