ZIS 112/1, or simply ZIS 112, was developed to compete with GAZ SG-1 (Pobeda Sport). As usual for ZIS (later ZIL), the 112 was designed using traits of American cars, in this case - Buick LeSabre concept. And it was performed by Valentin Rostkov, who had already worked on ZIS 101 A Sport ( http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...rt-1939-a.html ).
Built on production chassis taken from ZIS 110, almost 6 meters long, with a round grilles and a single headlight in the middle of it, the 112/1 was called 'Cyclope' or 'Single-eyed' by the workers. By the way, the 112 became the first car to carry ZIL's white-and-blue livery.
At the beginning, the car had 140hp from production limousine ZIS 110, but for the 2450kg car it was 'a bit' weak, so the same 1951 year a new experimental engine was applied to a car. Developed by Vasili Rodionov, that inline-eight engine had 6005cc and provided 182hp at 3500rpm. The new unit let the car reach 204km/h. But alongside with more power, the new engine added much more weight to a front axle, so the 112/1 was very hard to handle. I can say nothing about curvy tracks, as that time races were held at straights, but the 112/1 was not friend with its brakes, so the car was very unstable. ZIS 112 tried its best at line races at Minskoe highway, but soon it became clear that it's not adapted even for such competitions.
In 1954 the wheelbase was decreased by 600mm alongside with the body length, so the weight felt by almost 500kg. The engine was modified, too - power grew up to 192hp at 3800rpm, and the 112/1 could now reach 210km/h - it was the fastest Soviet car ever before. Finally, the same 1954 year saw 112/1 without its roof.
In 1955 112/1 participated in Soviet championship again, now held at new circuit in Minsk - two highways were connected by smaller roads, so the lap distance equalled 42 kilometers. But, just as all the previous seasons, 112/1 was uncompetitive, and finally found its way to factory's boondocks.
ZIS (ZIL) 112/1 #1
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Originally Posted by [nrg]
. Из ЗИЛовских спорткаров сохранились только оба 112С.
