Auto is not for everyone: Soviet limousine ZIL-114

People saw Soviet limousines occasionally, mainly at military parades. And so, they carried delegations and met distinguished guests.

Features

The first ZIL limousines were partially foreign - with a large number of copied components and assemblies. An example to follow was the US auto industry.

But the ZIL-114 was revolutionary – it was developed from scratch, and almost no technical solutions from foreign manufacturers were used. This is what makes the limousine legendary – it became a role model for all subsequent Soviet cars of this class. They were assembled on the basis of this car, changing only the appearance and trim.

Body and interior

Unlike its predecessor, the design of the new limousine turned out to be far less flashy and pompous. On the contrary, the creation was guided by the principles of minimalism. But on the other hand, the body turned out to be modern and classic, not subject to fashion trends.
The car is seven-seater, the length is as much as 6 mm with a wheelbase of 305 mm.



In the mid-1960s, it was decided to develop the car from scratch - they even made a new frame. She received spars of a closed section, having lost the X-shaped amplifier.

The braking system of the ZIL-114 is unique - never before have Soviet cars had discs on all wheels, mostly drums. Here they were copied from Girling - this is one of the few borrowings from foreign manufacturers. But the brakes are licensed, everything was honestly bought and decorated.



Before creating a new limousine, Soviet engineers carefully studied American models of this class. The design was made in the style of Chrysler and General Motors, but it is more restrained and classic.

Engine and transmission

The motor for the ZIL-114 was a 8 hp V300. With. The engine from ZIL-111 was chosen as the base, but it was reworked in such a way that it can be called a new unit. The working volume was increased from 6 to 7 liters, the power was raised one and a half times.



The power system is a four-chamber carburetor.

The gearbox was originally installed from the ZIL-111 - this is a simple two-stage automatic. The unit traces its lineage back to the American Chrysler from the 50s. Automatic transmission was installed from 1967 to 1975. This "automatic" was outdated and frankly weak for a powerful engine. It was suitable for ZIL-111, but not very suitable for the new model.



In 1975, the two-stage box with control buttons was replaced by the traditional one for modern drivers - a three-stage with a floor lever. This unit was more reliable, but still, it did not differ in high resource.

Pendants

When developing a suspension for a new limousine, Soviet engineers found a compromise solution. They left the rear part unchanged, transferring it from the ZIL-111, but the front part was copied from Chrysler cars.

Behind the limousine are traditional springs and a continuous bridge. Front - suspension on longitudinal torsion bars.



Due to this, the new limousine received:

• ? High running smoothness
  
• ? Minimal body roll in corners
  
• ? No "pecking" during hard braking
  

ZIL-114 has become the most modern and progressive Soviet car in the history of Likhachev Plant limousines.

ZIL-114A - a medical aid car for Brezhnev

In the late 1960s, it became clear that Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev had serious health problems. I did not want to advertise it, but the head of state had to be accompanied by doctors on all trips.

It was for this purpose that the specialized ZIL-1974A was created in 114. The car was made in two copies - one of them was rather experienced, then it was attached to serve the medical unit of the Likhachev Plant.

The second car was made in accordance with the canons of the "limousine industry". Externally, this is a typical station wagon. There were no special signs on board showing that this was a medical vehicle. Even a team of three doctors did not have white coats so as not to unmask the car.



Inside there was all the necessary cardiological and resuscitation equipment. But the ZIL-114A was not intended for operations. His task was to deliver the patient to the hospital as quickly as possible and maintain life during this time.



Interestingly, the rear left door did not lead to the cabin - there was a small luggage compartment where the driver kept a spare tire and tools for emergency repairs.

The curb weight of the car was 3,9 tons, the gross weight was 4,8 tons.

ZIL-E114S, ZIL-114N

In the second half of the 1970s, work began at the Likhachev Plant on the creation of a new generation limousine - model 115. To test the new engine and transmission, it was decided to install them on the ZIL-114. Such a car was called the E114S index.

In 1975, work on creating the body of a new limousine was completed. But the engine and gearbox were not yet ready by that time. Therefore, a new body was installed on the ZIL-114, making transitional models. In total, about 30 such cars were manufactured, which received the index 114H. The letter "N" in the name means "new".

ZIL-114K

An interesting limousine with a factory sunroof. How many of them were specifically created at the Likhachev Plant is unknown, they say there are three prototypes. Such cars were made at the initiative of the design bureau.
The main purpose of a limousine with a sunroof is to make the head of state close to the people. But in the USSR, this idea did not take root.

Secret cars

In addition to serial copies, the Likhachev Plant also produced several secret versions of the ZIL-114. For example, a special communications vehicle had on board a full range of equipment that provides uninterrupted, interference-free communication with any subscriber on the globe.
There was a separate version of the limousines with shielded ignition. This car was called ZIL-114E.



The most secret model was the modification 114M. The letter "M" in the name means "modernized". The car was supposed to receive armor with a thickness of up to 7 mm. Development was carried out in the fall of 1969, but in the end it was abandoned without even making a layout.

Cinematic ZIL

In addition to the secret ones, one more interesting car should be mentioned - the cinematic ZIL-114. In fact, this is an ordinary basic limousine, which was transferred to Mosfilm in the 1980s. The fact is that the car was damaged in an accident, and could not be operated in government garages according to local rules even after restoration.

Filmmakers have redesigned the car, turning it into a platform for filming.



For his age, ZIL-114 was revolutionary. Unfortunately, that's all in fact ended - subsequent models of government limousines were developed on the basis of this car. A total of 113 ZIL-114s of various modifications were produced.