GAZ-12 ZIM
ZIM-12 | |
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File:GAZ-12 ZIM.JPG | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | GAZ |
Also called | GAZ-12 (1958-1960) |
Production | 1950-1960 |
Assembly | Soviet Union: Gorky |
Designer | Andrey Lipgart |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Full-size luxury car |
Body style | Sedan, phaeton and ambulance |
Layout | FR layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 3.5L GAZ-12 I6 |
Transmission | 3-speed manual with a hydrodynamic fluid coupling |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 3,200 mm (126.0 in) |
Length | 5,530 mm (217.7 in) |
Width | 1,900 mm (74.8 in) |
Height | 1,660 mm (65.4 in) |
Curb weight | 3,800–4,200 lb (1,700–1,900 kg) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | GAZ-11-73 |
Successor | GAZ-13 Chaika |
The ZIM-12 (Russian: ЗиМ-12) was a Soviet limousine produced by the Gorky Automotive Plant from 1950 till 1960. Inspired by the 1948 Cadillac Fleetwood 61 and the 1947 Buick Super, the car was built to serve mid-rank Soviet nomenklatura, but was also readily available as a taxi and ambulance. Unlike its successors, ZIM was the only Soviet executive class full-size car that was actually made available for private ownership.[1] A total of 21,527 examples were built.[1]
Development
GAZ began the design process for what became the M12 in May 1948, when the Soviet government requested a six-passenger sedan for the niche between the ZIS-110 and the Pobeda, with a deadline of twenty-nine months to produce it.[2] Given a choice between copying an American product (a Buick) or developing an entirely new model, head designer Andrei Lipgart chose the latter, despite high level support for simply badge engineering a Buick.[2]
The M12 used a lengthened Pobeda monocoque chassis (with a 3,200 mm (130 in) wheelbase), and about half the drivetrain components of the GAZ-51 and -63 trucks, or the smaller Pobeda, including the 3,485 cc (212.7 cu in) inline six engine (producing 95 hp (71 kW; 96 PS), rather than the 70 hp (52 kW; 71 PS) in the truck), and the transmission.[3] The ZIM's compression ratio was increased to 6.7:1, but it was still able to employ the 70 octane petrol (gasoline) common in the Soviet Union; this, plus an improved intake manifold and twin-choke (two-barrel) carburetor, was responsible for the increased power.[3] The front suspension was by coil springs, with leaf springs at the rear, and hydraulic shock absorbers. It had drum brakes at all four corners.[3] Despite lacking power steering, the 18.2:1 ratio steering box made turning fairly easy. It offered a standard three-band AM radio,[3] at a time when radios were not standard on most American cars, even the most expensive ones.[4]
The car weighed 1,940 kg (4,280 lb), was capable of getting 19 L/100 km (12 mpg-US; 15 mpg-imp), of reaching 78 mph (126 km/h), and of accelerating 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 37 seconds.[3] It had one unusual feature: the rear tread (track), at 1,560 mm (61 in), was wider than the front by 100 mm (3.9 in), to ensure the rear seat would accommodate three passengers. The result was an Oldsmobile-like "bulge".[3] It was also the first GAZ to feature the leaping deer hood ornament.[5]
The first car was built in October 1950, and was notionally available to average citizens; its 40,000 ruble price made purchase unlikely (comparing to 16,000 for mid-class Pobeda).[5]
The ZIM abbreviation stands for Zavod imeni Molotova (Russian: Завод имени Молотова). Prior to 1957, the GAZ factory was officially named as Gorkovsky avtomobilny zavod imeni V.M. Molotova, or the Vyacheslav Molotov Gorky automotive factory, in honour of the Soviet Foreign Minister. All of the models carried the prefix M instead of GAZ. However for a car of executive class, a new catchy abbreviation was introduced, coinciding with bigger ZIS limousines. In the style of American car fashion that the vehicle was inspired by, the ZIM was used laboriously to decorate the car: the hubcaps, the bonnet, the radiator grille, even the horn button on the steering wheel. However, the Soviet Minister's career was abruptly finished in May 1957, when he lost a political fallout with Nikita Khrushchev. Following his downfall, the country underwent a renaming spree, with cities, streets, ships and factories being hastily rid of the fallen politician's name. ZIM, which was in production, from the summer of 1957 was hurriedly re-christened as GAZ-12, and all of the badges and adornments replaced by the new abbreviation. Moreover, right up until the perestroika the car was officially named labelled only as the GAZ-12, whilst unofficially it was almost exclusively referred to as the ZIM.
A prototype four-door cabriolet was built in 1949, but not produced, due to problems with rigidity.[1] It was also overweight for the engine.[5][6] An ambulance GAZ-12B was also built in 1951-1960, with folding seats for medics and basically same body; stretchers were loaded through the trunk.[7] There was also a taxi variant GAZ-12A, used mainly as a marshrutka in state-owned inter-city communication.[1]
The GAZ 12 was replaced by the GAZ 13 Chaika.[6]
Technical parameters
- Clearance: 200 mm (7.9 in)
- Turn radius: 7.4 m (24.28 ft)
- Gearbox: 3 speeds + rear
- Weight: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) (1,940 kg (4,277 lb) with full tank, oil and other liquids)
- Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
- Fuel tank: 80 L (21 US gal; 18 imp gal)
- Fuel consumption: 15.5 L/100 km (18.2 mpg-imp; 15.2 mpg-US) at 50–60 km/h
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Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 ZIM-12, "Avtolegendy SSSR" Nr.3 (Russian)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Thompson, p. 67
- ↑ Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), passim.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Thompson, p. 68
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thompson, p. 69
- ↑ GAZ-12B skoraya pomoshch, "Avtomobil Na Sluzhbye", No.1, DeAgostini, 2010, ISBN 978-5-9774-0418-1, (Russian)
Sources
- Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union. Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing, 2008.
- Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008.
- ZIM-12, "Avtolegendy SSSR" Nr.3, DeAgostini, 2009, ISSN 2071-095X (Russian)