ZIL trucks, abbreviated from “Zavod imeni Likhacheva” (Likhachev Plant), are among the most renowned truck brands globally, deeply intertwined with the history of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. This article delves into the formation, development, and legendary ZIL truck models that have left an indelible mark on enthusiasts’ hearts.
ZIL-150, the first prototype of the legendary “Workhorse” truck series.
Ivan Likhachev – The Father of ZIL Trucks
Ivan Alekseevich Likhachev (1896-1956), a leading design engineer in the Soviet automotive industry, was the mastermind behind the birth of ZIL trucks. He was the chief architect of the legendary three-axle ZIL truck series and served as the director of the Moscow Automotive Plant (ZIL’s predecessor) from 1926. Under his leadership, ZIL rapidly transformed into a “giant” in the Soviet automotive manufacturing sector.
From the 1940s to the 1950s, ZIL, under Ivan Likhachev’s guidance, became a leading enterprise, equipped with the latest Soviet technology, achieving an annual production capacity of 150,000 trucks.
ZIL-150: The Origin of a Legend
The ZIL-150 is considered the initial version of the renowned Soviet military transport truck series. The first prototype emerged in 1944 (then named ZIS-150), bearing a similar design to the American Harvester K-7 military truck. However, due to limitations in engine power and operational features, the ZIL-150 did not enter mass production. The ZIL-150 was subsequently developed into various new variants such as ZIS-5, KAZ-150, and ZIS-155. By 1957, the most refined variant, the ZIL-164, was introduced, featuring numerous upgrades to the engine and electrical system.
ZIL-164: Elevating the Brand
Built upon the foundation of the ZIL-150, the ZIL-164 was produced from October 1957 to December 1964. The ZIL-164 and its variant, the ZIL-164A, served extensively in the Soviet military forces for many years. Based on the general design of this truck series, ZIL manufactured large trucks, ambulances, cranes, tankers, and various other specialized vehicles.
ZIL-130: An Icon of Popularity
ZIL-130, a road legend widely used in the Soviet Union and Vietnam.
One of the most prevalent truck models in the Soviet automotive industry was the ZIL-130. With approximately 3.4 million units produced, the ZIL-130 was extensively used in both military and civilian sectors, and exported to numerous countries worldwide, including Vietnam. The ZIL-130 was equipped with a V8 gasoline engine, a 5-speed gearbox, achieved a top speed of 80-100km/h, and was capable of long-distance travel.
ZIL-131: “Workhorse” On All Terrains
The ZIL-131, another truck model widely used in the Soviet Union for decades, with approximately 1 million units manufactured. The design of this legendary “Workhorse” was developed based on the characteristics of the REO M34 trucks used by the US military in the mid-20th century. The ZIL-131 had two variants: one for artillery towing and one for transporting cargo and troops. Initially designed for artillery towing, the ZIL-131 became a versatile truck due to the limitations of the ZIL-157 series. After addressing weaknesses and modernizing the electrical system, the ZIL-131 became the top choice for the Soviet military for many decades.
A ZIL-131A truck variant of the Soviet army.
From ZIL-151, ZIL-157 To ZIL-128 and ZIL-165
Before the ZIL-131’s advent, models like the ZIL-151 and ZIL-157 were manufactured and quite commonly used. However, these two military vehicles had weak engines and low payload capacities, and poor road grip, making them unsuitable for the role of battlefield artillery towing. In the 1950s, Soviet artillery units began developing the ZIL-128, a truck series bearing similar characteristics to the US military’s M34. The ZIL-128 featured a new engine, gearbox, steering system, and many completely different components compared to previous truck series. Additionally, the Soviet Ministry of Defense also developed another military vehicle series, the ZIL-165, the initial prototype of the ZIL-131. However, the ZIL-165 had a small cabin and a weak 6-cylinder engine, leading to the design being abandoned in 1957.
