Oddly enough, in the former USSR, racing cars were designed and relevant competitions were held. The leading place among sports cars was occupied by ZIL-112S. The machine was developed at the Likhachev plant in the period from 1957 to 1965. The basis for the creation of the vehicle was the legendary car ZIS-110. Testing of the model was carried out under the leadership of Sergey Glazunov and Vasily Rodionov, who specialized in creating cars for ring races.
ZIL-112 S: characteristics
The car in question was equipped with a front suspension with independent type 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 design. The working volume is 6 liters. The box is taken from the ZIS-110, equipped with a lightweight aluminum housing.
ZIL-112S: characteristics of a sports carBrake system | Disk unit, with the unit located near the main gear for the sake of reducing unsprung masses |
Maximum speed | Up to 275 km / h |
Full mass | 1.33 t |
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km | 5 seconds |
Body type | Two-door Rooster |
Wheel formula | 4 * 2 |
Design | Front-wheel drive mid-engined and rear axle models |
engine's type | Four-chamber carburetor motor |
Vehicle Features
ZIL-112S is notable for the fact that during its production, the use of a differential with a self-locking function and a fiberglass body was found. In addition, the car was equipped with a removable steering wheel and rear suspension, an analogue of which is the popular De Dion system.
It is worth noting that the later variations of the vehicle in question had the fastening of the wing-type wheels of several bolts. Before that, there were modifications that were equipped with one central mounting sleeve. This allowed to speed up the process of disassembling the wheel.
In its original form, ZIL-112S ("Cobra" in Russian) is currently quite difficult to find. You can admire the car in a Riga specialized museum. It is worth noting that in 1964 the famous driver of those years Gennady Zharov won the USSR championship on the car in question.
Exterior
The appearance of the 1962 ZIL-112S legend 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 remains 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-112S is painted by Valentin Rostkov, who is also related to the creation of the ZIS-112 racing car. The emphasis is on the wheels, the design of which makes their dismantling an order of magnitude faster than in standard models.
Dashboard
When landing in a Soviet racing car, his pilot saw a low glass and a rigid dashboard in front of him. The dials were placed on it. These include an indicator of the level of water, oil, a manometer, an ammeter and a gasoline level controller. In addition, there was a speedometer with a speed reserve of 320 km / h. The real run of the car to the maximum - 260 kilometers.
In the “tourist version”, a glove box was provided inside the cabin. In addition, in the cabin behind the rider there was a simple arc. The interior itself can safely be called a fiberglass box. From safety measures the pilot had a simple helmet and that’s all. You can only bow to the athletes who loved cars and speed so much that they ignored such serious things.
Interior fittings
As can be seen in the photo below, the doors of the ZIL-112C car perform a purely formal function. Comfort for entering or exiting a car is provided by 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 scope is intended primarily for a spare wheel and mounting tools.
Technical indicators
In the first versions, the Soviet sports car ZIL-112S was equipped with a power unit with a V-shaped “eight” of six liters. The engine had aluminum heads and a cast-iron block. Two four-chamber carburetors gave out power of 240 horsepower at 4 thousand revolutions. The following engine modifications became even more powerful. A seven-liter version for 270 and 300 horses was used.
The torque of the racing motor was 560 Nm, and the maximum speed of the car reached 280 km. It was planned a variation of the engine with a volume of 7.7 liters to 9 liters. But its use was not implemented on the car in question. The rear brake discs are located closer to the gearbox, which reduces unsprung masses. Clutch and gearbox taken from the ZIS-110.
The front semi-independent suspension of the legendary car is borrowed from the GAZ-21. It is specially adjusted for this vehicle. It is noteworthy that in the gearbox of the rear axle it was available to carry out the replacement of gears, thereby changing the gear ratio before a 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. The creators modernized the interior decoration as best they could. Fiberglass panels and a six-liter power unit appeared. The clutch and gearbox with three steps went from the ZiS-110, since there were no more suitable units at that time in the country.
On the ZIL-112S of 1962, the brake assembly was transformed. In theory, a Soviet car could gain acceleration to 260 km / h. They even tried to set a number of high-speed records on it. Compared with Western counterparts, the car in question was more like a tourist option, 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 a row with single formulas on open wheels. Competitions, where the car in question participated until 1963, belonged to the “Group B” subcategory, and since 1965 - “Formula 5”.
The starting season in 1962 for ZIL can hardly be called successful. At the country's Championship held in Estonia, racer V. Galkin took only ninth position. But next year he became the third in the race on 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 the athletes of that time rode in cars that had terrible, by today's standards, handling. And from the point of view of safety, cars left much to be desired. ZIL-112S had not the most ideal brakes, there was no protective capsule and belts.
USSR Auto Legends: 112C
The race car in question was produced in batches from small series. Upgraded samples were even exported abroad to participate in long races. However, they could not make a worthy competition. The 112th sports ZILs were predetermined to retire. Despite the creation of an entire laboratory for the design of this car, it could not be brought to the optimal state.
Soon, the sports laboratory was closed due to inappropriate. Now in reality ZIL-112S can be seen in the Riga Museum. The car is carefully stored and sometimes leaves for racing races, which is very surprising. It is worth noting that from 1963 to 1965. five all-union records were set on this machine.
Reviews
Given the specifics of the vehicle and a limited batch of release, reviews of real owners are almost impossible to find. Nevertheless, given the opinions of experts and professional reviews, the following advantages of the car can be noted:
- Equipping a sports car with disc brakes.
- Upgraded spring suspension.
- The use of a limited slip differential.
- Central nuts on the wing-type wheel.
- Foot brake .
Despite all the innovative inclusions, the car had a number of disadvantages (compared with foreign counterparts):
- Weak dynamics of the roadster.
- Imperfect and slow brake system.
- Poor handling.
- Not worked out machine in terms of safety.
If we compare the above facts, it can be noted that for those times the technical characteristics of the ZIL-112S is an achievement of the Soviet automobile industry in the racing sphere, though 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-60s, the developers were able to squeeze the most out of the available resources. The first domestic disc brakes were introduced. The speed indicator was also at a decent level (260 km / h).
To establish records, the car was equipped with a special streamlined body. It was more convenient to sort the wheel on the second modification of the vehicle in question. Several nuts were replaced with a single central winged specimen. Thanks to the indifferent connoisseurs of retro cars, it was possible to maintain the current model ZIL-112S, which is located in the Riga Automobile Museum. The second instance, 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 production, the roadster managed to “try on” power units for 240, 270, 300 horsepower, given the motor from the legendary Seagull. Several elements went to the “car” from the “Volga” and ZIS-110.