Top 5 World’s Most Durable Sedans
The giant Zil saloons were the Sedans reply to Cadillac. Made in an old Moscow factory established in 1916, these vehicles were built for a large scale. Very few were made during the communist period since the factory mainly produced trucks and buses. These saloons were massive, over six meters long and nearly two meters wide. On November 3, 1936, production began on the model 101, the first seven-seat limousine. The American Buick car inspired its design. This powerhouse model came with a 5.8-liter engine producing 90 horsepower and could go faster than 115 kilometers per hour. This model was, in fact, one of Stalin’s cars, the ZIS-115.
Stalin’s Pride: The ZIS-115
During Stalin’s reign, the factory was rebranded as ZIS (Zavod Imeni Stalina). Stalin favored the ZIS-115, which was fully bulletproof, including the windows. The heavy-duty glass and Sedans armor tipped the scales at over seven tons. To power this beast, manufacturers installed a double-carburetor engine. Locals avoided this vehicle due to the political climate during that time. It was also used in countries like North Korea and Poland. Auto-enthusiasts and collectors fancy such models nowadays. Notable other models include the likes of ZIL cars, such as the 112.
ZIL Cars Included the 112
When leadership changed to Khrushchev, he didn’t think highly of the former leader. Thus, the car manufacturer ZIL changed its name from ZIS. Though grave and expensive, most ZIS cars from Stalin’s reign were destroyed, seen as relics of the past. Invincible black and white limousines had to be reduced to ashes, because crushing them proved too challenging. This eradicated hundreds of spectacular cars.
Fidel Castro Owned a Zil-111
Convertible ZIL cars like the 111, modelled after the Cadillac Fleetwood, also existed. Fidel Castro received the first one off the production line as a gift from Nikita Khrushchev. This Sedans car was remarkable for its technological edge at the time. Just pushing one button shut the hood automatically. The Zil-111 still makes an appearance at military parades.
ZIL-41041 Model
One of the last car models used by Soviet leaders was the substantial Zil Sedans 41047. It was known as one of the heaviest cars ever made. With a V-8 engine running at 7.7 litres, it could race past 190 kilometers an hour. Weighing 3.6 tons, it had an automatic, three-speed transmission.
Ex-president Mikhail Gorbachev drove in a Zil until December 1991. Boris Yeltsin had one in the early 90s, but later chose to ride in a Mercedes.
Meet the ZIL-130 Truck
This 6.3 meters long limousine remains listed on Zil’s website, joined by garbage trucks, fire trucks, and buses. However, it hasn’t been produced for a while. Nowadays, Zil Sedans mostly produces commercial vehicles. But according to a company official’s statement to the RIA Novosti agency, they’re working on new sedans. “We’re undertaking new car projects, but I can’t divulge their specs,” the official commented.
Back to Communism?
To build a fresh national identity, certain nations have started bringing back old communist symbols. A classic example is the show of tanks and missile launchers across Red Square during the annual May Day. This celebrates victory over Nazi Germany. Architecture from the Stalin era is making a comeback as well. New apartment blocks are being built in neo-Stalinist style, and an iconic hotel from the same era has been restored to its original beauty.
During this year’s Victory Day celebration, two Zil convertibles made an appearance. Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov rode in one of them. Standing at the back of the car, he inspected the troops.
