| ZIL-111 | |
| Manufacturer: | ZIL |
| Assembly: | Likhachov Plant, Moscow, USSR |
| Predecessor: | ZIS-110 |
| Successor: | ZIL-114 |
| Class: | Full-size |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Engine: | 6.0 L ZIL-111 V8 |
| Transmission: | 2-speed automatic with a torque converter |
| Wheelbase: | 37601NaN1 |
| Height: | 16371NaN1 |
| Weight: | 2610- |
The ZIL-111 was a limousine produced by the Soviet car manufacturer ZIL from 1958–1967. It was the first post-war limousine designed in the Soviet Union. After tests with the shortlived prototype ZIL-Moscow in 1956,[1] which gained a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest passenger car in the world,[2] the ZIL-111 was introduced from ZIL in 1958. The body style was in the American tradition of the time and resembled the mid-1950s cars built by Packard, although, apart from being in tune with current trends, it was an original design and had nothing in common with them, except in general layout.[3] [2] The interiors were trimmed with top quality leather and broadcloth and decorated with thick pile carpet and polished wooden fittings.[2] It featured a comprehensive ventilation and heating system and a 5-band radio, all of which could be controlled from the rear,[2] electric windows, vacuum-operated screen wash, windshield and front door window defrosting.[2] It was powered by a 6.0 L V8 engine producing connected to an automatic transmission (similar to that of Chrysler's PowerFlite and influenced by it, but different in design[4] [5]) giving a top speed of 1700NaN0, hydraulic drum brakes with a vacuum servo booster,[2] coil and wishbone IFS.[2] The car won a top prize at the Brussels Expo World Fair in 1958.[6]
Apart from a basic version ZIL-111, the manufacturer produced ZIL-111A with air conditioning, which had a smaller and flatter rear window due to air tubes, and the convertible ZIL-111V (ЗИЛ-111В in Russian), of which only 12 were built.[4] [7]
In December 1962 the car was completely restyled, now being in tune with the latest trends and having a wide chrome grille with quad headlamps similar to the one used on the 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five,[8] and was available both as sedan ZIL-111G and convertible ZIL-111D.[9] It was fitted with a 200 hp 5980cc V8.[10] For U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower's visit, Yevgeny Molchanov designed a special version of this car. Air conditioning was standard.[10] The ZIL-111G went out of production in 1966.[10] The first ZIL-111D was built in 1963, six months after the new ZIL-111 appeared; only about eight were built, half with grey exteriors, and all were fitted with microphones.[11] Fidel Castro received a ZIL-111D as a gift.[11]
As a rule, the ZIL-111 was available only as state-owned transport for members of the Politburo.[12] About 112 units of all models were made from 1958 to 1967, which 26 of them were ZIL-111Gs.[9]
A minibus based on the ZIL-111, the ZIL-118 Yunost (Youth), was also developed and produced in small numbers.[13] [14]
The ZIL-111 would be replaced in 1967 by the ZIL-114.[11]