ZIL-112 Sports
The ZIL-112 Sports was a Soviet sports car made by ZIL car manufacturer in 1961 and competed in races from 1961 to 1969. Two cars were built. The ZIL-112S initiated a number of firsts for cars produced in the USSR such as controlled slip differential, disc brakes, radial-ply tires etc. One ZIL-112S was powered by a 6.0 L V8 with 230 hp (172 kW). A second ZIL-112S was equipped with a 270 hp (201 kW) 7.0 L V8. Both engines were developed from the ZIS-110 engine. Depending on the engine, the top speed was 260–270 km/h (160–170 mph). It could do 0–100 km/h in 9 seconds. The total weight was 1,330 kg (2,932 lb). Steering and front suspension came from the GAZ-21 Volga. In the rear, it used De Dion suspension with triangular levers. The transmission, like the engine, was from the ZIS-110.
| ZIL-112 Sports | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Zavod Imeni Likhacheva |
| Production | 1961 |
| Designer | Vasily Rodionov |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.0L ZIL-111 V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,190 mm (86.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,330 kg (2,932 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | ZIL-112/5 |
| Successor | ZIL-412S |
In 1962, one ZIL-112S was rebuilt with a more aerodynamic body for an attempt at a Soviet land speed record. The ZIL-112RG was taken to the Baskunchak salt lake to attempt the record, but the weather was poor and the car topped out at 200–230 km/h (120–140 mph). A second attempt was made at the Dmitrovsky race track, however winter weather made the attempt impossible.
Between 1963 and 1965 the car set five all-Union records in the racetracks. The 270 hp (201 kW) ZIL-112S, driven by Gennady Zharkov, won the USSR Championship in 1964 and 1965.
One ZIL-112S is in the Riga Motor Museum and the other is owned by a Swedish collector.