ZIS-151 - a parody of the Studebaker US6 or a unique truck?

The era of the three-axle Soviet lorry The ZIS-151 came at a time when direct copying of foreign (including American) developments was behind us. Yes, there are definitely similarities with the no less famous Studebaker US6, both externally and technically. Nevertheless, the ZIS-151 is in many ways an original machine, and quite a successful one. Of course - from 1946 to 1958, as many as 149600 units were produced. Then the model "grew" into the ZIL-157, respected in civilian life and in the army.

The similarity between the Soviet and American trucks is due to the similar shape of the cabin, radiator grille and six-wheel formula. There are also deeper similarities - the location of the engine and the diameter of the cylinders, even this was the same. But if you dig into the details, it becomes clear that everything is not so obvious. For example, cars different engine cooling systems, instrument panel designs, transmission gear ratios, clutch design, and more.

Even more external and technical differences between the ZIS-151 and the Studebaker US6 are clearly shown in the video on the YouTube channel "AUTO HISTORY". Watch it and make sure that the Soviet engineers of the 40s were good with fantasy, and many moments in the truck are 100% unique.