From one of my other blogs, VreMax, where I reported on this car exhibition that I visited a year ago - in August of 2014.
A ZiM GAZ12 limousine seen at that car exhibition.
Also known as GAZ-12, GAZ-12 ZiM, ZiM-12 or just ZiM, the ZiM GAZ-12 was a Soviet limousine produced by the Gorky Automotive Plant from 1948 till 1960.
It was neither a copy of, nor based on, any other contemporary car, contrary to what wikipedia claims, although certain exterior design elements characteristic of the large American passenger cars of the period may be observed here but such similarities are superficial and the 1948 ZiM GAZ-12 may actually predate some of the cars "appointed" to be its inspiration or even source for copying.
Also, in some ways, the ZiM GAZ-12 was a pioneer, in particular, it was the world's first unibody (aka frameless) limousine with three rows of seats.
Also, in some ways, the ZiM GAZ-12 was a pioneer, in particular, it was the world's first unibody (aka frameless) limousine with three rows of seats.
The ZiM GAZ-12 was meant not only to serve government officials but in keeping with proletarian ideals served the people as a taxi and ambulance and was offered and sold for private ownership too, although only successful writers, scientists or actors could really afford one at the time.
Later as ZiM GAZ-12 government cars were retired and/or replaced with Chaika or ZiL limousines, some of them eventually trickled into private ownership that way.
In all 21,527 ZiM cars were built.
Behind it are actually the two Chaikas - GAZ-13 and GAZ-14 - that replaced it.
ZiM GAZ-12 test drive [in Russian]
Period pictures of the ZiM GAZ-12
Two-tone paint scheme (cost extra)
ZiMs as Riga taxis
I was fortunate to see them once or twice in real life, as some specimen survived well into the 1980s as government cars were handed down first to Wedding Palaces to serve as wedding cars and other such facilities and then into private ownership.
- Clearance: 200 mm (7.9 in)
- Turn radius: 7.4 m (24.28 ft)
- Gearbox: 3 speeds + rear
- Weight: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) (1,940 kg (4,277 lb) with full tank, oil and other liquids)
- Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
- Fuel tank: 80 L (21 US gal; 18 imp gal)
- Fuel consumption: 15.5 L/100 km (18.2 mpg-imp; 15.2 mpg-US) at 50–60 km/h
Pobeda M-20 and ZiM GAZ-12
ZiM GAZ-12 taxi
ZiM GAZ-12B Ambulance
Leipzig, GDR
Even after its production ended, it survived for a number of years as an ambulance car.
Photo credit: top picture is mine, period photos: public domain.
Other ZiM GAZ-12 resources Car models GAZ [in Russian], GAZ section at Classic Car Catalog
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