THE LEGEND OF THE SOVIET AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

The need for a new truck to replace old pre-war ZIS-5 and post-war cars twin ZIS-150 and ZIL-164 was felt in our country in the early 1950s. And already in 1953 at the Moscow automobile plant named after Stalin, under the leadership of chief designer of the enterprise A. Cree-Gera began development of a new truck ZIS-125 (according to the plant design documentation – ZIS-150M).

Three years later, in December 1956, was the first prototype machine with the capacity of 4 ton cab a completely different design, which was called, entered the Golden Fund of domestic automotive industry – ZIL-130.

 

The prototype successfully passed factory tests, and in February 1961 the project was approved building on the development of production, the main part of which was a comprehensive reconstruction of the enterprise. In accordance with this task, the ZIL had in the next two years without stopping the production to start the production of trucks ZIL-130.

 

Truck ZIS-5 (1933

 

Post-war truck ZIS-150 (1947)

 

For the serial production of the new truck plant had done a tremendous job – alone molds it was made of 3600 pieces, not less than 10 000 fixtures and more than 37,000 units of various specialized tools. In addition, the enterprises-accessory manufacturers had to master the production of high-octane gasoline, motor oils new varieties and high quality plastics, paints, rubber and upholstery.

 

The first series of cars ZIL-130 was equipped with an experimental carburetor U-shaped 135-strong “six” working volume of 5.2 L. In 1965, with the conveyor began to descend the vehicles with modified cabin and tail, equipped with six-cylinder inline overhead valve engines ZIS-120 with 140 HP, but the characteristics of this engine is not suited for heavy trucks.

 

Significantly the best performance was at the experimental carburatore /-shaped 6-liter 8-cylinder motor with the collapse of the cylinders at 90 degrees, patterned engine government limousine ZIL-111. In the future, this motor is also called ZIL-130, unified engine ZIL-375, which was equipped with three-axle trucks “Ural” and city buses.

 

In addition it is modern, motor, new truck for the first time in the domestic automobile industry was equipped with hydraulic steering, synchronizers in the gearbox, hinges driveline new design, windshield washer and engine preheater. In addition, the ZIL-130 was equipped with quite comfortable triple cabin with efficient heating and ventilation, panoramic windshield and the hood of the engine compartment alligator type. ZIL-130 became the first domestic car, the color of which appeared a “civilian”, a non-khaki colors – white and blue, the khaki painted almost all the trucks.

 

ZIL-130 the first release of a mass of 4300 kg and developed a speed of 90 km/h and 100 km spent 28 lit-moat of gasoline. The car could haul an 8-ton trailer.

 

Returning to the history of the truck, it is worth mentioning that in 1962 year by-pass technology was collected the first five pre-serial ZIL-130 and transferred for trial operation at the Yaroslavl tire plant. A year later, with the main line began to leave the small series ZIL-130, and in 1964, after completing an extensive renovation of the plant began mass production of trucks.

Project assignment included the production of not only the basic machines, but a whole family of vehicles on the basis of ZIL-130 – tractor ZIL-1 CALL of length-nebesnogo side of the truck ZIL-1 ZOG was increased to 4500 mm wheelbase, construction and agricultural trucks, on-Board ZIL-1 ZOA for trailers, gazobalonnogo ZIL-138 and many other models. In addition, the plant mastered the production of all-wheel drive three-axle truck ZIL-131 with a lifting capacity of 3.5 tons, unified with the basic ZIL-130. On the basis of the latter produced tractors ZIL-131В and ZIL-131Н.

 

In 1958, instead of all these engines the car was equipped with an experimental carburetor /a-line 6-liter 8-cylinder engine with a camber of cylinders of 90 degrees, aligned with the engine ZIL-375.

 

After the completion of state tests at the Yaroslavl tire plant began practicing the Assembly process, which in Yaroslavl was sent several dozen trucks gathered at Zile by-pass technology.

 

In 1963, the serial ZIL-130 was sent to the Leipzig fair, where the truck and its creators were awarded the diploma and a gold medal.

Modifications of ZIL-130:

 

1 – sided truck car ZIL-130 with a lifting capacity of 5 tons; 2 – side dlinnobaznaya ZIL-130G; 3 – truck tractor ZIL-130V-1 with the load on the coupling device 5.4 tons; 4 – car-truck ZIL-MMZ-4502 capacity of 5.25 tons

Multi-step refinement of components and assemblies ZIL-130, testing several dozen prototypes of the car, working out seven dozen engines of various designs and hundreds of gearboxes – all this contributed to the fact that on the line the result was a qualitatively new model of medium-duty vehicle, which according to its technical characteristics and performance was on a par with European and American cars. In 1973 a decision of the certification Commission ZIL-130 received State quality Mark.

 

In the period of production of ZIL-130 has been repeatedly modernized. So, in 1977, the carrying capacity of the truck was increased from 5 to 6 tons, the total trailer weight was 8 tons, and in 1978, was modified radiator grille – upgraded machine to learn the notation ZIL-130-76. The car was completed hypoid main gear, split pneumatic brakes, a new dashboard and revised grille. Prior to 1994, the plant produced 3 366 503 vehicle type ZIL-130.

The reliability of the design ZIL-130, as well as the simplicity of his service is largely contributed to its exports. In this regard, the factory has developed export versions of the truck for the countries with different climatic conditions. On special orders, the purchaser could order the car with English Perkins diesel, with a third tag axle, allows to bring capacity up to 8 tons. In middle Eastern countries supplied long-bazna bus chassis, which were fitted with bodies at small, local businesses.

 

However, the machine gradually ceased to satisfy modern requirements, and in 1986 ZIL started production of the improved ZIL-4331 with a diesel engine.

 

The engine ZIL-130

 

The interior of the cab

 

Cabin ZIL-130