GAZ-12 ZIM

GAZ-12 - is the first executive production car of Gorky plant, GAZ-13 can be considered as a predecessor of GAZ-12. New ZIM belonged to a broad class and was produced in the period from 1950 to 1959 inclusive. It was a 6 or 7-seat notchback with the extended base and six windows.

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GAZ-M-12, 1950-1959

Creating of ZIM-12

In 1948, the government sent an official order for the modernization of outdated GAZ-13 and the creation of a modern passenger 6-seat car to the chief designer of Molotov plant. The wishes were to make a new model somewhat like "Victory" and ZIS-110 in terms of efficiency, dynamics and comfort. The period of performance was quite short - only 2 years and 5 months. They had to act quickly and Andrew Lipgart had only 2 options to manage all - to use the existing factory units and to upgrade the elements of body of other models of GAZ or to take an imported car as a ready prototype. The soviet specialists chose the first option, the result of which was an interesting design that could ensure good performance during the ride. Firstly, the integral body was used for the executive class cars for the first time. Secondly - the body had a detachable frame. Thirdly - all the power components were connected or welded on the end points of the body. Although still many critics argue that GAZ-M-12 was created on the basis of the famous in the 40-s sedan Buick Super. We will not argue if it's true or not, but the fact is that they have much in common.

One of the prototypes of Buick Super, 1940

The first prototype of ZIM

To make the body longer, they used the frame of GAZ M-20, which was cut into two pieces and inserted a wheel base length of 50 cm in its central part. Due to the fact that the modern 6 - cylinder engine Dodge D5 had to be used for the new vehicle, its total weight had to be decreased. This was probably one of the most labor-intensive processes, as GAZ-M-12 was designed for 6 - 7 seats. Therefore, the designers decided not only to extend the body, but also to expand the niche of rear wheels, which had a length of 156 cm. So the couch could easily fit up for three passengers. Even though it caused the expansion of the "tail" of the car, but it became the pretext for the creation of very interesting strongly protruding rear fenders. Then the body was able to accommodate three rows of seats, and if desired, the middle seat could be folded. In addition, the car was noticeably higher than other passenger cars of the time, it was easier and more comfortable to get into a car, it was more pleasant to stay in the cabin. The designers decided to refuse from the wheel servo mechanism, but they had increased the steering wheel and gear ratio up to 18.2, as a result, it was much easier to drive the car. By the way, despite its considerable size, the turning radius of GAZ-M-12 was 6.85 m.

GAZ-M-12 on the street

Working on the creation, the designers managed to solve such problems as tightness of the body, fuel economy (despite the fact that the engine became more powerful) and the ability to go through the fords.

From the very beginning till 1947 the car was named in honor of minister Molotov ZIM-12. In November 1949 the first sample was demonstrated at a gala event in Gorky and after 3 months it was sent to the presentation of the "leaders-customers." It is surprising, but everybody liked GAZ-M-12 and Stalin himself just showered it with the compliments. The real "birth" of the car can be considered in October 1950, when the first full-fledged party was assembled, it was sent to the structural nomenclatures of the Soviet Union. After this the batch production was started and the car was let for sale. Despite the fact that GAZ-12 was considered to be an executive vehicle, it was permitted to sell it to the ordinary citizens, but not everyone could afford such a pleasure, because its price was an average of 40 thousand rubles (which is 2 times the price of "Victory"). To possess a car, there was a war among nomenklatura, using different ways and cunning machinations, the magazine "Crocodile" even mocked at them in one of its articles.

Hood in the clear

Since the summer of 1957, when the instability occurred in the political sphere, when the reputation of Molotov was tainted, it was decided to rename the car, giving it a classic prefix GAZ. The car itself was considered to be a "top" and corresponded to the fashion of the time. It was similar to many high-end imported models and was even something ahead of them, so to drive ZIM was a real luxury. But the abrupt change of stylistic solutions in the global automotive industry had led to the fact that GAZ-12 became outdated quickly (regarding the rear lights, and the V-shaped windshield and hood scoop). All what was produced a couple of years ago in large quantities and was very popular, was dramatically removed from production and GAZ-12 had even planned to be upgraded. The only modification that did not suffer any significant changes and had been produced until 1960 - was a medical hatchback GAZ-12B with a body type "ambulance". For 10 years of its life the car was released in 21,527 copies, many of which still ride the streets or adorn museums of homeland and other countries as well.

The construction and design of GAZ-M-12

The emblem of the GAZ-12

As it was mentioned earlier, very little time was given for the creation of the car, so the creators had to "pick up" the ideas from similar imported high class. As for the interior, there were very soft handrails on the back and the sides of the seats, wide rear armrests, additional top lighting and many other useful "units". Metal parts of the interior were trimmed with the wood grain (including the entire front panel), dense expensive carpets were put on the floor, a combination of white plastic and chrome details in many details provided the atmosphere of luxury and uniqueness. There was a tri-band radio in the central part of the front panel, the ashtray and electrical cigar lighter were placed under it. In addition, there was seven-day clock oscillator. The light indicator of overheating of water in the cooling system and tighten the handbrake was an innovation as well.

Dashboard of GAZ-M-12

By the way, there is no doubt that "Gorkyites" borrowed the design of hood from the American luxury cars, which was opened either to the right or to the left, or completely eliminated without any particular problems. The grille was very similar to the one of "Cadillac" from the model series of 1948. But the resemblance was only in appearance, as the construction itself was different, and the other proportional ratio was used. As a result, the front part of GAZ-12 looked very dignified at the time, although we don’t have a heart to call it a copy. The hood was decorated with red "crest" with a backlight usually lightning at night. The body itself was integral, but taking into account such a large wheelbase, this "phenomenon" was a true rarity among Soviet cars. It should be said that from the very beginning, the design of ZIM was given a great consideration, it can be seen at the splendid styling, set of chrome inserts, and elegantly smoothed lines and side bolsters. Every detail and minutia were carefully considered, that is why the interior and the exterior were at the highest level.

Rear seat with wide armrests

The paint of the car was one of the best nitroenamels throughout the Soviet Union. Painting was made in seven layers, each of which was carefully polished. As a rule, the cars were of a rich black color, but sometimes you could find white or color "khaki". These colors were used for classic modifications, because medical machines were painted only "ivory" color and taxis – only gray. Export models were a bit more interesting, because they had, in addition to standard colors, cherry or even a combination of two colors. Trying to please the Chinese market, GAZ-12 was delivered in blue color only for the Chinese, because they loved this color and believed in its ability to bring good luck.

Steering wheel

ZIM-12 had increased 15-inch wheels, but the tires with white side trim (by the way, they were purchased in the United States) were placed only on the exhibition copies.

Specifications of GAZ-M-12 "ZIM"

Trying to make the car more powerful and more passable, Gorky plant designers needed to take care of high efficiency, so they decided to install the 6-cylinder engine. By design, it was the successor of the engine of GAZ-11, but the latter one had a dual carburetor, aluminum cylinder heads and a high compression ratio.

Engine of GAZ -12

The engine of new ZIM became more perfect because of the use of its symmetrical rods. It solved the main problem of those engines, which often got out of order at high speeds. Another interesting fact was that the modified engine from GAZ-12 was later widely used, as for caterpillar of GAZ-47 or wheeled BTR-60P and even for bus PAZ-652B.

The innovative gearbox, which had synchronizers on the 2nd and 3rd gear, was in the form of a convenient lever on the side of the steering wheel column. This solution was developed specially for GAZ-12 by the type of famous American cars. After a few years the "fashion" for such gear box spread around and it was installed on many models of GAZ, and on some RAF or ErAZ as well. Namely high level of unification made the service of such cars easier. Another innovation that had no analogues was the hydraulic clutch. It was a quite original in design of transmission parts, which was located between the clutch and motor. It was sump, filled with machine oil, were two rotors continuously rotating. Rotors themselves had the appearance of half-toroids, which were divided by the blades with 48 compartments.

Car interior

The impeller, which was rotating during the engine work, moved the oil in the crankcase, and a turbine wheel began to rotate as a consequence. During this process, they could slide a little. Compared with US counterparts of hydraulic clutch, which increased the turning torque and provided the automatic operation for the transmission, the Soviet version didn’t show such indicators, but still improved the quality of the vehicle operation. This is primarily affected that GAZ-12 could easily start moving from any transmission very smoothly and without "shaking". In addition, the hydraulic clutch ensured the work of transmission and engine separately from each other, so while driving you could sharply push the brake and stop ZIM completely without lowering the transmission, and then simply release the pedal, press the accelerator and continue driving. That slip of turbine wheel and hydraulic clutch did not let the stop the engine.

One of the first drawings of GAZ-M-12 "ZIM"

But the obvious drawback was the braking system of ZIM. Though the brakes had two major blocks, but on any slope car could be held only with the handbrake. When the car stopped and only pedal brake was pushed, it continued to roll down. That is why, "hammer" was quite powerful and corresponded high technological requirements. But there was still one disadvantage: when the handbrake had been pinched for a long time in winter (e.g. overnight) the brake pads could freeze to the drums.

Work on the body assemble of GAZ-12

sump and drive shaft with two links. As a result of this combination the level of noise of the axle pair decreased remarkably, the floor level was lowered as well, the special tunnel for propeller shaft had almost disappeared. But the "fly in the ointment" of this design could be considered the very rear axle required expensive hypoid oil, which was a true rarity in the Soviet Union. The usage of conventional transmission oil could easily destroy the axle after 2-3 minutes of its operation.

The front suspension of GAZ-M-12 was very similar to the one of "Victory" - the same pivot, independent and spring.

Specifications of GAZ-12

Might-have-been modernization project

GAZ-12 during the modernization process

Since 1956 the decision to modernize ZIM with its subsequent name ZIM-12B was made. As for the "inner parts" they supposed to improve the engine making it even more powerful, to eliminate all the drawbacks of the braking system and to use a modern automatic transmission, similar to American cars of the time. In terms of design, the changes were planned not to be very radical. Firstly it was planned to make one-piece windshield and to make a headlamp rim more elegant and expensive. In addition, the moldings had to be installed at the sidewalls, new checkered grille, improved form of "tailgate", etc.

One of the options of modernized ZIM

But day after day the designers started to understand, that GAZ-12 became outdated and even external modernization will not give the effect to bump the car to the top. In addition, the work on creation of a new “Seagull”, which was scheduled to be released soon was in full swing. This was an additional "anchor" for the Gorky employees who saw no prospects in ZIM and did not want to waste a lot of money on it.

Modifications of GAZ-M-12

GAZ-М-12B – Medical sedan of series production, which is characterized by the outer loop of the boot lid, through which you could easily wheel in or carry a stretcher with a man.

Ambulance GAZ-M-12B

GAZ-М-12А – taxi sedan with expensive trim with faux leather. Produced in small batches and was often used on international routes.

GAZ-М-12 «Phaeton» - cabriolet convertible, made in 1949, only two copies.

ZIM-12 - in the culture industry and souvenir industry

Ukrainian factory Kherson -Models and Chinese IST-Models manufactured toys GAZ-12 in scale 1:43 in sufficiently large batches. In addition, the readers of motoring magazine "Autolegends of USSR" ed. DeAgostini could buy it at an affordable price with the next issue. Many years later, GAZ-M-12 on a scale of 1:12 in limited quantities was released in China. The exterior and interior of the car had been worked out to the smallest detail in this model.

Toy GAZ-12B "Ambulance", scale 1:43

Souvenir toy from the Chinese factory «IST-Models»

In addition, the car was frequently featured in the Soviet documentary films such as "The Secret of Two Oceans". Also, ZIM can be found in the comedy "Seven Old Men and a Girl", "Give me a complaint book", in the fable "The measures weight", promotional and informational posters. Even the writer S. Mikhalkov mentioned this car in his poetry: "There was a gray-haired lieutenant-general, his aide was next to the driver in ZIM...". Now the reconstructed copies of ZIM are often used as wedding cars, a few years ago this car starred in the video of "Ivanushki International" and "Bravo" band.

Interesting facts about the GAZ-M-12

ZIM-12 as an exhibit in one of the Soviet museums

• Throughout the period of production there were not more than 6 cars per day produced.
• Due to the fact that the car was constantly starting from the second or third gear, the hydraulic clutch started to leak after a while. But one of the ordinary motorists N. Farafonov filled with a help of a syringe 6.5 kg of refractory lubrication Litol 24 into the hydraulic clutch and the problem was solved.
• During the design of the car, A.Lipgart temporarily moved to work in the artist's studio.
• An average of 4 kg of pure tin was used for each body.
• In 1971 classic ZIM was modified as a pickup in Riga, as a result making a hearse.

See also: About ZAZ-965 and Moskvich-407