ZIS-101
Overview
ManufacturerZavod Imeni Stalina
Production
  • 1936-1939 (ZIS-101)
  • 1939-1941 (ZIS-101A)
Body and chassis
ClassLimousine
Body style
  • 4-door sedan (ZIS-101)
  • 4-door convertible (ZIS-102)
Powertrain
Engine5.8L ZIS-101 I8
Transmission3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,605 mm (141.9 in)
Length5,750 mm (226.4 in)
Width1,890 mm (74.4 in)
Height1,870 mm (73.6 in)
Chronology
SuccessorZIS-110

The ZIS-101 was a limousine produced by the Soviet car manufacturer Zavod Imeni Stalina. It was introduced in 1936. Its chassis was reverse-engineered from a Buick 33-90, except for the front suspension, engine, exhaust and battery carried over from 1933 experimental limousine L-1, itself an unlicensed Buick 32-90 copy,[1] but the body was designed by Budd Company for $1,500,000 while the stamps were made by Hamilton Foundry & Machine Company for another $500,000.[2] It was equipped with an 5.76 L (351 cu in) straight-eight OHV engine (a metric copy of Buick 345) producing up to 110 PS (81 kW)[3] and giving a top speed of 115 km/h (71 mph).[4] The car was fitted with a 3-speed manual gearbox.[4]

It was followed by the ZIS-101A that had improved the engine giving 116 PS (85 kW)[5] and a new top speed of approximately 130 km/h (81 mph). Production ended in 1941 with over 8,000 cars built.

Stalin inspecting a ZIS-101, 1936

In 1939, a two-seat sport version designed by Valentin Nikolaevich Rostkov called 101-Sport was built.[4] The engine was the same as in the 101-A, but boosted to 141 PS (104 kW) and a top speed of 162 km/h (101 mph) (although a Pravda article claimed 170–180 km/h). It was, however, not made in more than one or two copies.

Variants

  • ZIS-101: Initial production version. Produced 1936–1939.
  • ZIS-101A: ZIS-101 with improved engine. Produced 1939–1941.
  • ZIS-101B: Improved ZIS-101, prototype.
  • ZIS-101E and ZIS-101S: Prototype armored versions.
  • ZIS-101L: Prototype version with an intercom for communication between the passengers and driver.
  • ZIS-101 Sanitary: Ambulance version.
  • ZIS-101 Sport: Two-seat version. Produced in 1939.
  • ZIS-102: Convertible version. Produced 1938–1940.
  • ZIS-103: Prototype improved version of the ZIS-101.

References

  1. ↑ "ЗИС‑101: из чего сделали первый советский лимузин".
  2. ↑ "WheelsAge".
  3. ↑ "Двигатель автомобиля ЗИС-101 - Сентябрь 1936 года - архив За рулем".
  4. 1 2 3 Odin, L.C. (2015-06-12), World in Motion 1939, The whole of the year's automobile production, Belvedere Publishing, ASIN B00ZLN91ZG
  5. ↑ "Новый двигатель ЗИС-101 - Декабрь 1940 года - архив За рулем".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.