The blogger writes in Pos1t1ve avto_ru:
In the mid-fifties in the USSR there are big changes. In addition to social and political change, Khrushchev thaw bring into the country, and also a new fashion for industrial design. Stalin's "Empire" falls under the pressure of "Khrushchev" rationalism fundamental "Victory" inferior lightweight "twenty-first" Volga A brutal ZIS-110 waits for the rapid change of ZIL-111. Meanwhile, for ordinary employees shop "elite" cars ZiL such a change does not herald anything good. If ZIS-110 produced a relatively large circulation and worked as a taxi, and "emergency", the successor to the expected production volumes are modest - 10-15 cars per year. This means downsizing and easy expensive equipment.
In 1959, the initiative group of young employees of KB Plant headed by Vladimir Grinchara starts to develop on the basis of ZIL-111 vehicle increased comfort of a fundamentally new class and be named the project a resounding name of "Youth". The car is literally developing in secret - no instructions and orders to create from the management was not, as there was no support and provision for the creation of prototypes running. Therefore, the machine created "from scratch" and no room for error. Correct "childhood diseases" in the post is not on anything.
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ZIL-118 «Yunost»
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Aggregate "Youth" was based on the nodes representative of Zil-111 and carrying the new engine when the truck ZIL-130. The decision carried a lot of advantages. On the one hand, when entering any significant volumes of production, serial production of machines can significantly reduce the cost of units for government limousines, accordingly, increasing their availability. However, at the time of this few people thought, but thought later ...
Particular emphasis in the creation of the "Youth" was placed on the exterior. This car is now the impression, and then on the background bored buses ZIL LAZ and he does look like a spaceship from the future. Huge panoramic windows, dual lighting, rudimentary "keels" in the back of the chrome and "mouth" grille in the front, coupled with an unusual two-tone paint create a festive, personable way.
Meanwhile, production could reach a level of profitability even at 1,000 cars a year, and the total demand for machines of this class on domestic and foreign markets was estimated at 4,000-6,000 vehicles a year.
In March 1962 a year the car passes sea trials and after the correction of defects found plant management takes the side of the initiative group.
More in the process of testing the director of ZIL A.G.Krylovym to the State Committee on Automation and Machine Building of the Council of Ministers of the USSR was sent an information note, which was justified by the need to finance a new car top-class ZIL-114 and a statement on the production of buses ZIL 118 "Youth".
Finally, Khrushchev expressed praise for the new machine: "This is the people's car!".
In 1963-1964, the factory workers continue to improve the "Youth" and develop new versions. Together with the Ministry of Health of the USSR developed version of "emergency" raise the roof with a unique and richly appointed interior, allows you to make transactions directly in the car. Nothing of the kind in the country simply did not exist. However, then two instances is not going.
ZIL-118 A "Ambulance»
In addition, one machine, converted into marshtrutnoe taxi, worked in tests in a Moscow taxi pool, receiving positive feedback from drivers and ekspuatatsionschikov.
1967 became a triumph for the "Youth". The machine in the Soviet delegation taking part in the Week of buses in Nice, France. The competitions and the technical tests involved 129 cars 50 companies. "Youth" proved that it can compete against any opponent. In her piggy bank proved the most significant awards. The big prize - the Cup Organizing Committee - the car got on set trailer speed characteristics, the level of external noise and smooth running. The competition bodies ZIL-118, along with other local buses was awarded the silver medal of the French Federation of bodywork. All in all, our car was taken to the home 12 awards, it could not be any domestic cars, either before or after the "Youth».
The machine starts to take an interest in western dealers and tour operators. However, in the presence of factory workers at only 7 cars and uncertain future: the decision to mass production car at the highest level is still pending.
Some recovery in the situation made a business visit to the USSR in the late 1960s, the automobile king, Henry Ford II, grandson of the company founder. Together with the other in the negotiations is considering selling a license for the production of ZIL-118 under the Ford brand or even a joint production of the machine. The master of the American automobile industry appreciated the marketing possibilities "Youth". Generally Henry Jr. so fascinated bus, he refused to provide at his disposal ZIL-114, explained it this way: "Let my daughter enjoyed the limo, and I will ride the" Youth ", which is no worse." Thus, the domestic industry could take a kind of revenge for the Soviet Union once built by Ford GAZ. However, the talks ended without result, and Mr. Ford left the Soviet Union frustrated. How sophisticated autobuilder and one of the big "sharks of capitalism", he knew perfectly well what possible profit missed his company. Perhaps the reason for the failure of the deal was the fact that on the ZIL still cherished the hope to organize mass production of its own bus and ship it to other countries through the 'Autoexport. " It is possible that the bus used in the construction of components and assemblies, unified with the same from government limousines, passing the problem from the economic to the political plane.
In 1971, the car upgrade and assign index 118K. On the mass production of aging machines have no one remembers a few years it is not collected at all, and since 1980, the plant received the state order in the amount of 6 cars per year.
ZIL-118K
Authentic frame. Passers genuinely surprised at the sight of "Youth" on the street.
Our days. "Youth" in the streets
ZIL-118 spacecraft, "Ambulance" at the "Youth" second generation
Meanwhile, based on the "Youth" to continue to build all kinds of modifications: a new generation of "first aid", mobile television station and even "nuclear suitcase" for the needs of the KGB radio equipment.
"Youth" for the needs of the KGB
In 1993, with the index ZIL-3207 it produced the largest party buses in the amount of 12 pieces.
In 1994, the machine gets ugly optics of the VAZ-2105/07 and the plastic grille. The story ends with the bus. Total 1961 1994 ave built 93 copies of the machine ...
Photo by maxxdroid
"Youth" was a unique phenomenon in the Soviet car industry: a distinctive, comfortable car to arouse interest among the recognized world Autobody and foreign businessmen from tourism could bring real profit to his country and become indispensable vehicle Soviet economy. However, instead of a successful market fate was not understood and rejected by the leadership of the sector. Have economists Minavtoproma and USSR Council of Ministers, that the production of "Youth" will make it more accessible ZiL-111 and ZiL-114? Probably you thought ... Or maybe not like this. By a strange and bitter coincidence, it was the brainchild of designers ZiL pinnacle achievements of the Soviet automotive and bus fiasco persons were responsible for this automobile ...
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