Volga, Zhiguli, Gaz or Moskvich. These are the most famous soviet stamps cars during the Soviet era. Despite this, you will not find many enthusiastic owners of old cars who were satisfied with the possession of Soviet vehicles. The thing is that most of the cars produced in the Soviet years were very unreliable due to the build quality.
The reason for the dubious reliability is that most of the cars created in the USSR were based on foreign analogues. But due to the planned economy of the Soviet Union, car factories were forced to save on literally everything. Naturally including savings on the quality of spare parts. Despite the quality of the fleet in our country, we have a rich history of the auto world.
Unfortunately, many Soviet car brands ceased to exist after the fall of communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Fortunately, some of the Soviet era auto brands have survived and exist to this day.
Nowadays, the popularity of Soviet vehicles has grown again, as many car models are now of collectible and historical value. The public is especially interested in rare and sometimes strange cars that were produced during the Soviet era.
Some of these models existed only in the form of prototypes, which never went into production. Cars that were built by private engineers and designers (homemade) are distinguished by a special exclusivity.
We have collected for you the rarest Soviet cars that appeared in the Soviet Union and make the history of our Patriotic auto world much more interesting.
GAZ 62
GAZ is the most famous car brand in our country. Cars under this brand were produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant. In 1952, the GAZ automobile plant introduced the GAZ-62 car, designed to replace the Dodge “three quarters” (WC-52) military SUV, which was used by the Soviet army during World War II.
GAZ-62 is designed to carry 12 people. The carrying capacity of the machine was 1200 kg.
Car designers have used several innovative solutions when creating the GAZ-62. So the machine was equipped with sealed drum brakes, as well as a fan for interior heating.
The car was equipped with a 76 hp six-cylinder engine. This allowed the car to accelerate to 85 km / h.
It is worth noting that after the creation of the prototype, the GAZ-62 passed all the necessary tests. But some design problems did not allow the machine to be put into mass production. As a result, in 1956, GAZ began working on a new prototype.
ZIS-E134 Model No. 1
In 1954, a small group of engineers was given the task of building a special military vehicle for military purposes. The order came from the USSR Ministry of Defense.
According to the instructions of the Ministry, it was supposed to be a truck with four axles of wheels, which could drive through almost any terrain, carrying a large amount of heavy cargo with it.
As a result, Soviet engineers presented the ZIS-E134 model. As requested by representatives of the USSR Ministry of Defense, the car received eight wheels, four axles, placed along the entire length of the body, which made it possible to create a traction force that was similar to that of armored tank vehicles. As a result, the ZIS-E134 truck easily coped with any rough terrain, which allowed it to go where no vehicle could reach.
The car weighed 10 tons and was able to carry up to 3 tons of cargo. It is worth noting that, despite the weight, the car could reach speeds of 68 km / h on any type of terrain with a hard surface. Off-road, the car accelerated to 35 km / h.
ZIS-E134 Layout No. 2
After the appearance of the first modification of the ZIS-E134, soon Soviet engineers and designers presented the second version of the eight-wheeled monster to the military department. This machine was built in 1956. The second version had a different body structure, reinforced beams, which made it possible to endow the car with landing capabilities. In addition, thanks to the tightness of the body and the special design of the technical part, the car was able to swim like a military tank.
Despite the heavy weight (total weight of 7.8 tons), the car could accelerate on land up to 60 km / h. The speed on the water was 6 km / h.
ZIL E167
In 1963, an off-road military vehicle ZIL-E167 was built in the USSR. The car was designed to move in the snow. ZIL-E167 was equipped with three axles with six wheels. On non-snowy sections of the road, the car could accelerate to 75 km / h. In the snow, the truck could only accelerate to 10 km / h. Yes, it was very slow. Nevertheless, the car had an amazing patency in the snow. So for ZIL to get stuck in the snow, something incredible must have happened.
The car was equipped with two mounted (in the rear) engines with a capacity of 118 hp. The ground clearance of the monster was 852 mm.
Unfortunately, the truck never went into mass production due to the great difficulties in expanding industrial production, as well as due to the inability to create quality box gears.
ZIL 49061
This car is also called "Blue Bird". ZIL-49061 was equipped with six wheels. Unlike its predecessors, this machine went into mass production and became popular in many countries around the world.
The amphibious vehicle was equipped with a manual transmission, independent suspension for each wheel, and two propellers.
In addition to the ability to move on the water surface, the SUV could overcome ditches more than 150 cm wide and snowdrifts up to 90 cm high.
Max speed ZIL-49061 on land was 80 km / h. On the water, the car could accelerate to 11 km / h.
The car was mainly used by the USSR military as rescue operations. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the car began to be used by the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation. For example, two "Blue Birds" were sent to Germany in 2002 to participate in an operation to rescue people from a terrible flood. They turned to us for help, since in those years there was no similar equipment in Europe that was capable of performing difficult tasks in water and on land.
ZIL 2906
If you think that today's Russian cars are very strange, then learning about the next rare Soviet car, you will understand that the current vehicles of our country are quite adequate and normal.
During the Soviet era, ZIL-2906 cars were produced in our country, which did not have wheels. Instead, the machine was equipped with spiral shafts, which, rotating, set in motion unusual car. This allowed the SUV to move on the heaviest muddy terrain.
The body of the car was made of fiberglass. Two spirals installed instead of wheels were made of aluminum. This machine was designed to transport various loads (logged trees, beams, etc.) through swamps and snow.
Despite its advanced technology the car was moving too slowly. The maximum speed of the ZIL was 10 km / h (on the water), 6 km / h when driving through the swamp and 11 km / h when moving through the snow.
VAZ-E2121 "Crocodile"
Work on the creation of a prototype VAZ-E2121 (the letter "E" in the name of the model means "experimental") began in 1971. The machine was developed by order of the Government, which wanted our country to have its own passenger SUV accessible to the masses. As a result, engineers began to develop an SUV based on the VAZ-2101 and VAZ-2103 models.
Ultimately, Togliatti designers developed a prototype of the E2121 SUV, which later received the nickname "Crocodile" (because of the body color that one of the prototypes received). The machine was equipped all-wheel drive and 1.6 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, which was developed for the next generation of VAZ-2106 cars.
Despite not a bad idea and the effort expended, this model went into mass production. A total of two examples were built for engineering research and testing.
AZLK MOSKVICH-2150
In 1973, the Moskvich Automobile Plant presented the prototype AZLK-2150. Recall that before that, the Moskvich automobile plant had already presented several conceptual 4 x 4 models. But compared to them, the new AZLK-2150 model had a number of new constructive solutions. For example, the car received new motor the compression ratio of which was reduced to 7.25 (this allowed the car to run on A-67 gasoline). The car was designed for use in rural areas (in agriculture).
Unfortunately, like many stunning Soviet models, the AZLK MOSKVICH-2150 SUV never went into mass production. Reason for lack Money due to the widespread economy of the state. But it could not be otherwise. In a planned economy, it is generally surprising how so many high-tech cars appeared in the USSR.
In total, two AZLK-2150 prototypes were built: Moskvich-2150 (with a hard top) and Moskvich-2148 (with an open top).
VAZ-E2122
AvtoVAZ had another experimental car project, which received the code designation VAZ-E2122. It was an amphibious vehicle project. Development began in the 70s of the last century.
The most amazing thing is that the movement of the car through the water was carried out due to ordinary wheels. As a result, the maximum speed of the car on the water was only 5 km / h.
The car was equipped with a 1.6 liter gasoline engine, which transmitted torque to all four wheels.
Unfortunately, due to adaptation for movement on water, the car had many design problems. So the engine, transmission and front differential often overheated due to the fact that these components were in special closed cases. This was necessary to protect the vehicle components from water.
In addition, the car had terrible visibility. There were also significant shortcomings in the operation of the exhaust gas system.
Despite a number of difficulties and problems in the development of the machine, the USSR military department was interested in mass production of an amphibious off-road vehicle. As a result, the Department of Defense Soviet Union ordered several prototypes from AvtoVAZ. But unfortunately, this progressive car project did not reach serial production.
UAZ-452k
In the 80s, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant developed an experimental model 452k based on the famous UAZ-452 "Loaf". The main difference from standard car there was an additional bridge that improved the stability and grip of the SUV in rough terrain.
Initially, two versions of cars were created 6 x 4 and 6 x 6. But during the testing process, the developers realized that due to the complexity of the design, the car turned out to be very heavy, which led to huge expense fuel. As a result, the project was decided to be partially curtailed. But not completely. The UAZ automobile plant eventually produced about 50 copies and sent them to Georgia. As a result, SUVs from 1989 to 1994 were used by various rescue services in the Caucasus. These instances did not cause any particular problems, since the mileage of the cars was relatively small, due to the peculiarity of operation.
ZIL-4102
When ZIL-4102 was created, it should be the successor to the famous ZIL limousine, which was used for many years by government servants and senior officials of the Communist Party of the USSR.
ZIL-4102 was equipped with front-wheel drive, and also had carbon fiber body elements: roof panel, trunk lid, hood and bumper.
Two prototypes were built in 1988. It was originally planned that the model will be equipped with three types of engines: 4.5 liter V6, 6.0 liter V8 and 7.0 liter diesel.
Since this model was designed for the elites, the car was naturally equipped with elements of luxury and comfort. So the car had power windows, ten audio speakers, a CD player, an on-board computer and a white leather interior.
Unfortunately, Mikhail Gorbachev was not impressed with the ZIL-4102, and he did not approve the project. That is why the luxurious ZIL did not go into mass production. It's a pity. We believe that if this model appeared in mass production, then our auto industry today would look different.
NAMI-0284 "DEBUT"
In 1987, the Russian Research Automobile and Automotive Institute(NAMI) developed a front-wheel drive prototype car, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1988. The machine received the code designation NAMI-0284.
This car attracted great public attention at exhibitions and received many positive reviews from critics and experts from the global car market.
The car had a unique feature for that time - an impressively low coefficient of aerodynamic air resistance (only 0.23 cd). This is surprising since many modern cars cannot boast such aerodynamic characteristics.
The length of NAMI-0284 was 3685 mm. The car was equipped with a 065 liter engine, which in those years was installed in the Oka (VAZ-1111).
In addition, the experimental model was equipped with electronic servo steering and cruise control.
Despite the low power of the engine (35 hp), given the low weight of the car (less than 545 kg), it was able to accelerate to 150 km / h.
Moskvich AZLK-2142
The first AZLK-2142 "Moskvich" was presented to the public in 1990. Engineers positioned the car in those years as the most modern car ever created by the AZLK automobile plant.
According to the plans of the Moskvich automobile plant, the car was to go into serial production in two years, when the company planned to start producing new generations of Moskvich-414 engines. General directors insisted on postponing the release of the new Moskvich model car factory named after Lenin Komsomol - AZLK. He believed that the new promising model should have been power units new generation.
But in the end, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the cessation of state funding stopped the project.
It is noteworthy that despite the fact that the car was not mass-produced, it became the starting point for the development of a new generation of Moskvich-2142, which was produced in three versions: "Prince Vladimir", "Ivan Kalita" and "Duet".
UAZ-3170 "SIMBIR"
The development of the new UAZ SUV began in 1975. It was invented and developed by the leading designer of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant Alexander Shabanov. As a result, by 1980, the automobile plant introduced the UAZ-3370 Simbir model. The SUV had a large ground clearance, which was 325 mm. Also, the car turned out to be quite high (height 1960 mm).
Fortunately, this machine entered mass production. True, due to the planned economy, the car plant could not produce large batches of SUVs. It is worth noting that the car was originally created by order of the Ministry of War. But in the end, the production of both military and civilian modifications was launched in mass production.
In 1990, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant introduced the second generation of the SUV - UAZ-3171, the development of which began in 1987.
MAZ-2000 "Perestroika"
experimental model truck MAZ-2000 received the code name "Perestroika". The truck was designed with the aim of creating a modern truck for use by Soviet transport companies.
The main feature of the model was the model design of the truck. This meant that vehicle parts such as the engine, transmission, front axle and steering were located in front of the machine, which reduced the gap between the cab and the loading area. Thanks to the model design of the MAZ-2000 cab, it was possible to increase the volume of the body by 9.9 cubic meters. meters.
The stunning MAZ-2000 truck was first shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1988, where it made an incredible impression on the public from all over the world. In total, several prototypes were built. But unfortunately the project never got the green light and the model didn't see the production line.
Many experts believe that the Perestroika truck became the main inspiration for the designers developing the Renault Magnum truck, which entered mass production at the end of 1990 and then received the prestigious award in 1991 " Freight car of the year".
What is the reason that our ambitious project MAZ-2000 "Perestroika" did not take place? After all, apparently there were no obstacles to mass production. According to rumors that go around in the auto world, the project did not take place due to the fact that Mikhail Gorbachev sold the design of an amazing truck to the French. Naturally, all this has not been officially confirmed.
Homemade car "Pangolin"
In the Soviet years, everyone knew that the reliability and performance of domestic cars were not the best in the world. Also our vehicles didn't have a very good design. That is why many Russian engineers decided that since state-owned car factories cannot create cars that are in no way inferior to foreign counterparts, then it is necessary to create them on their own. As a result, many engineers in the USSR, in private, inspired by Western European and American sports cars, began to create their own home-made vehicles.
One such example was the Pangolin sports car created by Alexander Kulygin in 1983.
The body of the car was made of fiberglass. The sports car also received an engine from the VAZ-2101. The designer was inspired by the stunning design of the Lamborghini Countach. As a result, Alexander decided to create a car in the same style.
It is worth noting that this homemade car still exists and participates in various car shows.
True, over the years, some changes have been made to the design of the machine. For example, new doors were installed in the original design of the sports car, which now open up.
Homemade car "Jeep"
In 1981, Stanislav Holshanosov, an engineer from Yerevan, created an exact copy of the famous American Jeep SUV.
In order to build a car, an engineer used components from several other Soviet models cars. For example, for a homemade copy of the American SUV, the engineer took the engine from the VAZ-2101. The rear axle, gearbox, electrics, headlights and drive shafts were taken from the Volga GAZ-21
The suspension system, gas tank, instrument cluster and windshield wipers were borrowed from the UAZ-469.
But some parts of the car were created on an individual project. For example, the front axle of the car was created from scratch by Stanislav himself.
It is noteworthy that the design of the front axle was repeatedly exhibited at various exhibitions throughout the Soviet Union and received several awards.
Homemade car "Laura"
Another example of an author's car is the Laura sports car designed and built by two engineers from Leningrad, Dmitry Parfyonov and Gennady Hein. In our country, even today there is not a single normal sports car. Not to mention the USSR. So the engineers had no choice but to create their own sports car.
But unlike other engineers who actually created copies of cars of foreign analogues, Dmitry and Gennady decided to create a completely new car that is nothing like more than one vehicle.
"Laura" was equipped with a 1.5 liter engine with 77 hp, front-wheel drive and on-board computer. The maximum speed of the sports car was 170 km / h.
Only two examples were built. It is worth noting that these cars were even marked by the leader of the Communist Party, Mikhail Gorbachev. Sports cars have also received many awards.
By the way, both cars are still preserved and are currently exhibited at various exhibitions.
Homemade car "Yuna"
This sport car was created by motorist Yuri Algebraistov. The name of the car was invented on the basis of combinations of the first letters in the name of the designer and his wife ("Natasha"). The car was built in 1982. This is the only sports car today, built on an individual project during the Soviet era, which is still in perfect condition and is used for all its intended purpose.
The fact is that Yuri is still constantly updating his car and carrying out all the necessary engineering works. That is why the machine is still in good condition and works like new.
At the moment, "Yuna" has covered more than 800 thousand km. True, this became possible thanks to the use of a foreign engine (from the BMW 525i).
Homemade car "Katran"
This car was created by a man who has been obsessed with cars all his life. This car was created by a car enthusiast from the city of Sevastopol. The sports car received a unique body structure. For example, the car did not have the doors we are used to. Instead, the engineer used a design that allowed the entire front of the cab, including the windshield, to be folded down so that the driver and passenger could get into the car.
Also, the car received an independent suspension and, more surprisingly, electronic system cruise control, which could maintain a certain speed even on the descent.
Last weekend, from 4 to 8 March, in the capital Sokolniki automobile exhibition dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Garage special purpose- fleet of the Russian government. Thousands of people visited the exhibition, where they were able to get acquainted with the cars that transported the first persons of the country, from Nicholas II to Vladimir Putin. We bring to your attention a photo report with the presented equipment.
The exhibition unfolded in as many as three pavilions, but we will show only what we have placed in the largest, most important. It was here that guests were greeted daily with demonstration performances by the special guard company of the Presidential Regiment, and government cars were stationed here - as a rule, respectable armored cars - which the last tsar once drove Russian Empire Nicholas II, Soviet leaders, the first President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev and the first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin. A special place is dedicated to presidential cortege Vladimir Putin.
Garage of Nicholas II
The garage of the last Russian emperor Romanov Nicholas II, for various reasons, is poorly represented - only one car - the French Delaunay Belville Belvalet 1909 of release.
Delaunay-Belleville Belvalette (24 horsepower)
In 1905, Count Orlov ordered the first car for Emperor Nicholas II - it was a French car of the Delaunay-Belleville brand, and, as a result, in 1905, 2 cars of this brand were delivered to the imperial court. A year later, the emperor orders another SMT, for which the Kegress driver, ordered by Orlov from France, installs tracks for winter trips. In addition to Nicholas II, King George I of Greece and King Alfonso XIII of Spain used Delaunay-Belleville cars.
Joseph Stalin's garage
After the revolution, the government garage moved from Petrograd to Moscow. It was no longer called imperial, but the motor depot of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR. For a long time, up to the Stalinist industrialization, Soviet officials, party nomenklatura and special services used cars, as a rule, of foreign production. There were also pearls in Soviet fleets, such as this Rolls-Royce Phantom 1.
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall Open Tourer (50 HP)
It is known for certain that the first car that served the People's Commissar of Nationalities Joseph Stalin after the October Revolution was a chic 1914 Voxhol. Even before the revolution, this luxurious car was ordered in England especially for the mother of Nicholas II. After the February Revolution, the limousine went through several owners, and later went to Stalin. Naturally, he liked the car with a luxurious body from the Hooper studio, but this huge heavy limousine was too slow. Stalin wanted to have a faster car.
Stalin soon got what he wanted. When he ended up as a representative of the Revolutionary Military Council on the Tsaritsyn Front, he had at his disposal a huge open Packard Twin-Six, which means “double six”. Exactly Y-motor this giant and became the world's first multi-cylinder unit. At the same time, Stalin fell in love with the Packards; by the way, the leaders of the Cheka also liked them very much.
Under Stalin, the USSR made a powerful industrial breakthrough and the country in just 3-4 five-year plans was able to break out of the backward into the advanced, with powerful science and industry. The Soviets did not bypass the automotive industry, which quickly flourished even before the war - this can be seen in the garage Soviet leader, where cars of imported origin initially prevailed, and in the end they were already strongly crowded by the Soviet "kings of the roads".
Ford V-8 (75 hp)
The Ford V-8 was produced from 1932 to 1934 and was the world's first inexpensive mass-sold car with a V-8, for which it was quickly respected in Moscow by representatives of the party nomenclature and security officers. The power of the V-8 was 65 hp. With. early in production, but then power increased significantly with carburetor and ignition improvements in later years.
GAZ M-1 (75 hp)
As you know, GAZ M-1, produced in the years from 1936 to 1943, is an adapted copy American Ford Model B 40A Fordor Sedan model of 1934, with a four-cylinder engine and standard styling. In general, the car turned out to be significantly modernized in comparison not only with the previous model, but also with its prototype, and in some positions it surpassed later Ford products - for example, an archaic front suspension on a transverse spring was installed on Ford cars until 1948 inclusive. In addition, "Emka" was much better adapted to the Soviet road conditions. Soviet special garages often used the M-1 with the Ford "eight".
GAZ 12 / ZIM (90 hp)
GAZ 12 (ZIM), produced in 1948-1960. - the first representative model Gorky Automobile Plant, only ZIS vehicles were higher in subordination. It was mainly used as a service car ("personal car"), intended for the Soviet, party and government nomenclature - at the level of minister, secretary of the regional committee and chairman of the regional executive committee and above, in some cases it was also sold for personal use. The predecessor of the "Seagull" GAZ-13.
GAZ M-20G (90 hp)
GAZ M-20G - high-speed version of the Pobeda for the KGB with a powerful 90-horsepower 6-cylinder engine from ZIM.
ZIS-101 (90 HP)
It was with the ZIS-101, produced from 1936 to 1941, that Soviet engineers stopped copying american cars, and have already gone along the path of creating own car. However, catch-ups were often equipped with six-cylinder Packard and Studebaker engines.
ZIS-101 A (116 hp)
In 1939, the ZIS-101 was upgraded. The updated car received the designation ZIS-101A. The main difference was the body with a more modern design and all-metal construction. Other differences included uprated to 116 hp. engine with aluminum pistons and a new carburetor. Externally, the car was distinguished primarily by a different radiator mask, with a semicircular cross section. The maximum speed of the car was 125 km / h.
ZIS-110 (140 HP)
ZIS-110 - the first Soviet post-war car of the highest (executive) class. Its production began in 1945, replacing the ZIS-101 on the assembly line, and ended in 1958, when it, in turn, was replaced by the ZIL-111.
Packard 120 "Twelve" (185 hp)
As you know, Stalin fell in love with the Packards during the revolution. This was also known in the United States, with which the USSR had very good relations before the Cold War, and there are quite a few examples of this. So, in October 1935, the American ambassador Averel Hariman gave Stalin a gift from US President Franklin Roosevelt - an armored limousine "Packard Twelve" of the 14th series. The President of the United States personally ordered for Stalin the best of the Packard-Twelve cars of the 14th series of the second improved generation.
"Packardov-Twelve" 14th series, a total of 214 cars were manufactured, and only one, with a wheelbase of 376 cm, was armored and sent to the USSR as a gift to Stalin. The car received a fully armored body from the inside. By car were bulletproof glass, 50 mm thick, swivel window vents, as well as an armored bottom. The increased weight of the car was offset by the power of the 185-horsepower engine. Four-speed box gears in 20 seconds accelerated a seven-ton car to 100 km / h, and the maximum speed was 120 km / h.
Stalin really liked this Packard. With him, he made many trips, including at the conference of heads of state of the anti-Hitler coalition in Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam. From the window of this limousine, Stalin in 1945 examined the defeated Berlin, swept through its streets.
Even after the excellent ZIS-115 was created by domestic automakers, Stalin often changed to his beloved Packard.
Packard 180 (165 HP)
There was another Packard in Stalin's garage - Packard Super Eight One Eighty. The car was produced from 1940 to February 1942, when, due to World War II, manufacturers were forced to abandon civilian production of cars. There is a popular rumor that the model was transferred to the Soviet Union, where it was then produced until 1959 as the ZIS-110. However, the Americans themselves claim that, judging by the Packard archives, such a transfer never took place. In addition, the ZIS-110 is similar to Packard only in appearance, which means one thing: the designers knew about Stalin's extreme love for this brand.
Joseph Stalin's personal armored car - ZIS-115
First Soviet armored vehicle ZIS-115 was released in 1948 by special order government of the USSR, and was a ZIS-110 with body armor, armored glass, rear axle with fully unloaded axle shafts and special inflatable tires.
The body of the armored car is a 4-door sedan with reinforced armor. The ZIS-115 used a unique for that time booking system - an armored capsule: the protection was a single shell of armor, sheathed on the outside with decorative body panels. The external decoration of the car almost completely imitated the ZIS-110.
Side windows in the doors they were 75 mm thick and were so heavy that they were lifted with hydraulic jacks. The vents in the front doors were opened by rotating handles through a gearbox.
A distinctive feature of the cabin of this version from the base one is the absence of a glass partition between the driver's seat and the passenger compartment. Thus, unlike the ZIS-110, the ZIS-115 was not a limousine, but a sedan (these bodies differ precisely in the presence of a partition between the driver and passenger). Among other things, ZIS-115 cars were equipped with air conditioners.
The rear passenger seat was stuffed (or rather, inflated with a special pump) with eider down and covered with expensive cloth. In addition to the usual door locks, both rear and right front doors were equipped with chains to ensure that they could not be accidentally opened on the go.
From 1948 to 1949, 32 ZIS-115s were produced. To this day, 8 copies of the car have survived. Subsequently, the USSR did not produce armored cars up until 1983.
An article about the 10 most famous cars of the heads of state of the world, their technical features and characteristics. At the end of the article - interesting video about the cars of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The content of the article:
The cars of heads of state are not just means of transportation. High demands are placed on such cars: they must be comfortable, emphasize status, and ensure maximum safety. Moreover, such cars can serve as a political tool - many heads of state emphatically move only in cars made in their country.
Rating of cars of heads of various states
As a rule, heads of state travel in cars that were custom-made specifically for them. Usually this armored vehicles executive class with a special set of security features.
It should be noted that some information about these machines is classified, so it is impossible to accurately determine their cost and complete list available options.
It is difficult to say which of the heads of state has the most cool car all cars are good. Therefore, our rating will be very subjective, since it is difficult to arrange presidential cars in descending order. But we will try to do it (we hope the heads of state will not be offended).
The President of Italy popularizes the local auto industry and travels in a five-meter Lancia Thema sedan. This car is equipped with a powerful 6.4-liter engine.
Italian presidents have been favoring Lancia cars for decades. And it should be noted that these machines are not very expensive. For example, the basic equipment will cost 40 thousand euros.
It should be noted that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also drives a Lancia car. He is extremely negative about the fact that officials drive premium cars, considering this a symbol of corruption. It should be noted that his predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi, loved expensive cars, so he traveled in an armored Audi A8 Quattro (engine size 4.2 liters, power - 310 "horses") and Maserati Quattroporte.
Matteo Renzi, trying to cut government spending, sold everything expensive cars officials (Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Jaguars, Audi, Subaru) at auction.
The Skoda auto concern presented the President of the Czech Republic. This car is equipped with a 3.6-liter engine, the power of which is 260 "horses". The car can move at a speed of 250 km / h, and up to a hundred can accelerate in 6.4 seconds.
The interior is sheathed in brown leather, the seats are equipped with ventilation and heating. The cost of the car is unknown. At the same time, the president goes to work without a motorcade and flashing lights. No one is blocking traffic for this.
It should be noted that for more than 60 years, all French presidents have traveled only in cars of their country. The most commonly used models of the Citroen brand. François Hollande uses the Citroen DS5 hybrid hatchback, demonstrating not only trust in the domestic auto industry, but also concern for nature.
Moreover, the car of the French president can probably be considered the most budgetary of all presidential cars Europe. Only safety elements were installed in Hollande's car. There are no attributes of luxury in it. The design remained the same, only an opening top was made. François Hollande has only two drivers, whom he ordered to drive according to all the rules, stopping at traffic lights and letting pedestrians pass.
Citroen DS5 is a 200 hp diesel-electric hybrid. This car costs a little more than 40 thousand euros ( production version). This car can rightly be called the "greenest" presidential car.
This car was chosen by the German chancellor as it complies with the official safety regulations for the first persons of the state.
The Audi A8L has an armored body that can withstand a grenade explosion and automatic fire, bulletproof windows and special tires that, even after being hit by bullets, allow the car to move quickly. In case of danger, the limousine doors can be shot off, and passengers will be able to leave the salon.
The Audi salon has a small office, a mini-bar and a refrigerator. If Merkel goes on a trip abroad, she asks the host country to provide her with the same armored car.
6. Rolls-Royce and Bentley of Elizabeth II
The Queen's car fleet consists of five Rolls-Royces, but most of all, Elizabeth loves the Phantom VI model, which has a folding roof. This car was presented to the Queen back in 1978. Elizabeth II really liked the car, and she often appeared on it in public.
Recently, however, the queen has been moving more often on a unique Bentley Arnage red label. This car was given to her for her birthday. Volkswagen concern. It has an innovative air filter protecting the queen from harmful gases. This car was assembled by hand for over two years. Bentley is equipped with a 7-liter engine with a capacity of 400 “horses”, which allows you to accelerate to 210 km / h.
But the new Prime Minister Theresa May used to drive an armored BMW of the seventh series (when she was the Minister of the Interior). Now she will have to forget about the German car. Most likely, she will change to the Jaguar XJ Sentinel, which was used by David Cameron. This armored car is capable of withstanding a bomb explosion with a capacity of 15 kilograms of TNT.
Previously, the President of Belarus drove a Mercedes, but recently he has been appearing more and more often in a Maybach 62. Such a car costs about 500,000 euros. According to the president, this car was presented to him by a Russian for his birthday. The car has many useful options, and the interior is very chic.
But it should be noted that Lukashenka does not drive this limousine very often so as not to “stand out”.
In Japan, the real power lies with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. For transportation, he uses a car made in his native country. Good, Japanese auto industry offers different products, so the choice in this country is huge.
Shinzo Abe uses two official cars(Toyota Century and Lexus LS 600h L). Toyota has been developing vehicles for the top leadership of the country for many years. The Toyota Century was assembled by hand using a huge amount of secret technology. The power of the 5-liter engine is 280 hp. (this is the maximum under Japanese law).
Second company car Shinzo Abe is a hybrid Lexus LS 600h L. The prime minister uses this car specifically to demonstrate the achievements of the domestic auto industry, as well as concern for nature. The base model of such a car costs 170 thousand dollars, but no one knows what features the car has, so the real price is unknown.
But Emperor Akihito moves around in a luxurious Toyota Century Royal. This limousine was specially designed for the imperial family, who used to drive the Nissan Prince Royal.
Century Royal is equipped with a 5-liter engine. Its power is 350 "horses". As you can see, for the imperial Toyota family“violated” the law limiting the power of produced cars. The imperial Toyota has impressive dimensions, the curtains in the car are made of rice paper, there are special ceiling screens, as well as an electric granite footboard (a sign of respect to the monarch). The cost of the monarch's car is unknown, but base model such a car costs $460,000.
The head of China supports his own auto industry, so he travels in a FAW Hong Qi HQE limousine. It should be noted that in Chinese "Hong Qi" means "red banner". The car, of course, is armored. Its length is 6.4 m, width is about 2 m, height is 1.72 m. The car weighs as much as 4.5 tons.
Automobile Chinese leader equipped with a 12-cylinder engine with a capacity of 400 "horses". No one knows exactly what parts this machine is built from, all information about this is classified. For the first time on this car, the leader of the PRC was seen at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC (October 2009).
The car was assembled by hand at the FAW facility located in Changhun. The Hong Qi brand was developed in the 1960s specifically to serve the needs of the government. The design of the limousine was inspired by Chinese motifs. For example, the radiator grill looks like an old fan. The exact price of the car is unknown, but according to rumors, it costs 0.6-1.2 million dollars.
A total of 100 such cars were built, and not a single copy was sold - all cars were sent to high-ranking officials in China. However, in early 2012, the Chinese government banned local officials from driving cars that cost more than $28,500. Therefore, about luxury cars many had to forget.
Since 2009, the President of the United States has only used a Cadillac One, nicknamed The Beast. This luxury limousine is considered the most secure car in the world.
This machine weighs more than 8 tons, its length is 5.5 meters. Doors have 20 cm armor, and windows - 12 cm. Even a shot from a grenade launcher will not damage them. Only the driver's glass falls into the car (and then by 8 centimeters).
If there is a chemical attack, there are oxygen tanks in the car. The salon is actually isolated from the outside world, equipped with an innovative air filtration system. In addition, in the car there are guns for security, tanks with tear gas and blood with the president's group to give a transfusion. The gas tank is protected. Fuel consumption - 30 liters per 100 km.
The tires of the limousine are reinforced with Kevlar, so even after the shooting, the car will be able to deliver the American president to the right place.
The salon has a laptop with the Internet, a telephone for communication with the Pentagon. The radio signal is encrypted (there are 5 antennas with different frequencies in the trunk).
The President of the Russian Federation uses a car of the German automobile industry. Armored limousine Mercedes S-600 Guard Pullman has a length of 6.2 m and a weight of 3 tons. The three-liter engine produces 400 "horses". Pullman armor protects against machine guns and grenades. The machine is equipped with a pressurization system in case of a gas attack. The interior of the limousine is like a mini-office, so the president can deal with all government issues directly from the car. Information about the device and the principle of operation of security systems is kept secret. Such a limousine costs at least 900 thousand euros.
However, the President of the Russian Federation has long dreamed of transferring to a domestic car. And such an opportunity may soon present itself.
Previously, the leaders of the country traveled in armored ZIL-41052 limousines. For a long time, US intelligence could not understand the secret of the Soviet "member carriers" (as limousines were called). After the collapse of the Union, the Americans purchased and dismantled the ZIL-41052. It turned out that the Russians did not reinforce the frame with armor, but created a special armored capsule around which the vehicle was already being built.
Now the ZIL plant is building an armored limousine ZIL 4112 especially for Putin. Little is known about the technical "stuffing" of this car. But it is quite possible that the president will soon be traveling in this domestic car.
Summing up
As a rule, leaders of states travel in cars made in their countries. At the same time, such machines must be equipped modern means security that can save the life of the first person. All other amenities are secondary.
Video about the cars of Russian President Vladimir Putin:
“The prestige of a country is determined by the presence of rockets, the number of Olympic gold medals and the president’s limousine” - this statement belongs to Robert Kennedy, younger brother John F. Kennedy, who was killed right in the back seat of a luxurious Lincoln. The choice of vehicles, world leaders have always been very responsible. We have collected five cars that claim to be the best government vehicles twentieth century.
The automotive industry of the pre-war Soviet Union consisted entirely of successful and not so successful attempts to copy the American and military auto industry. The ZIS brand is no exception. Taking the gift Packard as a basis, Soviet designers created the first Soviet government limousine, which was destined to go down in history as “Stalin's car”. The production of the ZIS-115 was carried out in strict secrecy. It was then that the designers faced the problem of ensuring the safety of an important passenger. In the case of the ZIS, the creators took a simple path: first they assembled the armored capsule and only then added all the other body parts.
The limousine had protection against automatic and machine-gun bursts and had protection against fragmentation grenades and mines. Another distinctive feature of the interior of this car from the ZIS-110 was the absence of a glass partition between the front and main parts of the cabin. There is a version that Stalin, when visiting the factory where the assembly took place, said: "I have no secrets from the people and you can not put up a partition."
Rolls Royse Phantom
Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was released in 1968, and until the end of the twentieth century was the main car of the British monarchy. The car was equipped with an aluminum body on a spar frame, a seven-liter V8 engine and a host of optional amenities such as air conditioning and power windows.
Especially for the royal family, modified Rolls Royse models were made, which had a higher rear row of seats, transparent roof and special footrests for the convenience of the monarch. The British Queen Elizabeth set the tone for the world community and the Phantom became the favorite car of the rulers of many Middle Eastern and Asian countries.
Nissan Prince Royal
The rapid growth of the Japanese automobile industry in the early 1960s sharply raised the issue of providing for the imperial court. suitable car. In 1965 Nissan announces the development of a special car for the emperor. The car was ready in May 1966. The first copy was presented as a wedding gift to Prince Akihito. The car had a V8 engine, automatic transmission and hydraulic brakes, which at that time was an unprecedented technical breakthrough. Nissan Prince was the title car of the Japanese Imperial Palace until the seventies, until it was replaced nissan model president.
Lincoln Continental X100
The car of US President John F. Kennedy became the most luxurious in the history of the government car industry, but this did not save the model from oblivion associated with the sad events of 1963. The open limousine was built specifically for the president at the Cincinnati plant and cost over $200,000. Continental X100 was equipped with back seat with a hydraulic drive capable of rising twenty centimeters during parades, an air conditioning system, a radiotelephone, steps for special agents and a leather and velor interior.
After Kennedy's assassination, the limousine was forgotten in a government garage for several years. However, he still served the first persons, participating in the parades of Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter.
Mercedes Benz W140
The famous “six hundredth”, so strongly imprinted in the Russian cultural code, also served in the highest echelons of power. The stretched version of the w140 became the most popular government model of the late twentieth century, becoming the benchmark car for a VIP. The first convenience of the Swabian limousine was appreciated by German Chancellor Helmut Koll, for which the car received the name “chancellor carrier”. Tuning studios presented a huge variety of car modifications that successfully found buyers in all countries of the world.
The first photos of car models developed by the company were published on the Internet. Marussia For cortege of the President of Russia and other Russian officials of the highest rank. For the first time after many years, the first persons of the state will switch to cars domestic production. And today we will tell about our cars created specially for country leaders from Stalin's times to the present.
ZIS-101 - an armored car for Stalin
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin loved all kinds of cars, but he drove mostly foreign cars, such as Turcat-Mery 28 and Rolls Royce Silver Ghost - the domestic auto industry was destroyed by war and post-war devastation. That is why the first head of the Soviet state, who moved to Russian car, became Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin. By his order, a chic ZIL-101 car was created at the ZIL car plant in Moscow, which became the favorite car of the “leader of the peoples” for many years. The car had advanced characteristics at that time - a heating system in the cabin, a built-in radio receiver, as well as vacuum amplifiers clutches and brakes.
ZIS-110 - the first post-war government car
ZIS-101 served as the main government car for almost ten years, until 1945, when it was replaced by the ZIS-110 car. Initially, this car was planned to be created on the basis of the American Packard 180, but due to certain design features of the latter, some solutions were borrowed from the Buick Limited 90 L. As a result, the ZIS-110 car appeared and its special government version ZIS-110B (armored), which he drove not only Stalin, Khrushchev and other Soviet leaders, but also the Chinese Great Pilot Mao Tse Tung, the North Korean leader Kim Cher Il, and the Albanian Enver Hoxha.
ZIL-111 - car for motorcades and parades
The ZIS-110 became obsolete in just a few years. Built with a pre-war era design, by the early fifties it looked like a dinosaur against the backdrop of post-war cars. And therefore, in 1959, a new car was introduced for the country's top leadership - ZIL-111 (in 1956 the car factory changed its name from Stalin to Likhachev). In technical terms, it differed little from its predecessor, but it looked much more modern. During a visit to Moscow in 1963, Fidel Castro received such a car as a gift. ZIL-111 became the first Soviet cars, for which open modifications were also provided, specially created for parades.
GAZ-13 - the progenitor of the Chaika family
Undoubtedly the most famous Soviet government car was the "Seagull" - a series of cars, the history of which should be counted from the appearance in 1959 of the GAZ-13 car. It is believed that out of the three thousand first-generation "Seagulls" produced, only three fell into private hands (the writer Mikhail Sholokhov, the first Soviet woman-cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova and the ballerina Galina Ulanova became the owners of such cars), the rest were used in government needs in the USSR and abroad . For example, GAZ-13 was driven by the leaders of the GDR, Walter Ulbricht and Eric Honecker. Several cars were given to Intourist.
ZIL-114 - limousine for the 50th anniversary of the Revolution
ZIL-114 was the main government limousine USSR in the late sixties - early seventies of the twentieth century. The first cars of this generation rolled off the assembly line in 1967 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution, and in total only 113 copies of the ZIL-114 were made for the highest leaders of the USSR. In 1971, on the basis of this car, a more “simple” version of it was released - ZIL-117 for officials of a lower rank.
GAZ-14 - "Seagull" number two
In total, from 1977 to 1988, a little over a thousand GAZ-14 cars were produced, each of which was assembled by hand, and then passed lengthy tests for quality and reliability. The car was intended for officials of the highest level, as well as the leadership of the army and other law enforcement agencies. Production ceased in 1988 in the wake of Gorbachev's "fight against privileges". Moreover, at the same time, the conveyor line was destroyed, the working documentation and even the assembly line for GAZ-14 toy models were destroyed.
ZIL-115 (later renamed ZIL-4104) became last car who knew a lot about cars Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev and the last Soviet government limousine. This car can still be considered one of the most luxurious in the world in the history of the automotive industry. The armchairs in it were trimmed with leather, and the doors were trimmed with Karelian birch. ZIL-4104 in different modifications produced until 2002. And its most famous variants were the Phaeton models (for parades) and the Black Doctor (resuscitation vehicle for the General Secretary's motorcade). Interestingly, in 2010, three copies of the ZIL-4104 (model ZIL-410441) were produced for the anniversary parade on Red Square.
ZIL-4105 - the legendary "Armored Capsule"
Separately, we can mention the ZIL-4104 modification, which received the ZIL-4105 marking and the name "Armored Capsule". In the 1980s, when this car was created, it was the most secure car in the world. After all, the armor in it was not just inserted into the doors and the roof, but was solid - first, armor capsules were welded at a factory in the city of Kurgan, and then a car was created around them. ZIL-4105 withstood not only shelling from rifles and machine guns, but even a grenade explosion under a gas tank.
Marussia L2 and Marussia F2 - representative cars for the President of Russia
The other day, one of the accounts on the social network Instagram published photos that are considered to be the first images of models of future cars from the motorcade of the President of Russia - the Marussia L2 sedan and the Marussia F2 SUV. The development of these machines, as you know, is engaged in the well-known team in Formula 1 racing and the domestic company Marussia of the same name. It is expected that the first such cars will roll off the assembly line in 2018 and will be produced under the ZIL brand at the facilities of this legendary plant.
