ZIS-101

ZIS-101
Overview
Manufacturer	Zavod Imeni Stalina
Production	1936-1939 (ZIS-101) 1939-1941 (ZIS-101A)
Body and chassis
Class	Limousine
Body style	4-door sedan (ZIS-101) 4-door convertible (ZIS-102)
Powertrain
Engine	5.8L ZIS-101 I8
Transmission	3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,605 mm (141.9 in)
Length	5,750 mm (226.4 in)
Width	1,890 mm (74.4 in)
Height	1,870 mm (73.6 in)
Chronology
Successor	ZIS-110

ZIS-101 was a limousine from Zavod Imeni Stalina. It was introduced in 1936 and was equipped with an 5.8 L (354 cu in) straight-8 engine producing 90 hp (67 kW) and giving a top speed of 115 km/h (71 mph). The car was inspired by Buick designs of the time. It was fitted with a 3 speed automatic gearbox and torque converter.

It was followed by the ZIS-101A that had improved the engine giving 110 hp (82 kW) and a new top speed of approximately 130 km/h (81 mph). Production ended in 1941.

In 1939 a two-seat sport version designed by Valentin Nikolaevich Rostkov called 101-Sport was made. The engine was the same as in the 101-A, but boosted to 141 hp (105 kW) and a top speed of 162 km/h (101 mph) (although a Pravda article claims 170–180 km/h). It was however not made in more than one or two copies.

Variants

• ZIS-101: Initial production version. Produced 1936-1939.
• ZIS-101A: ZIS-101 with improved engine. Produced 1939-1941.
• ZIS-101B: Improved ZIS-101, prototype.
• ZIS-101C: Ambulance version.
• ZIS-101 Sport: Two-seat version. Produced in 1939.
• ZIS-102: Convertible version. Produced 1938-1940.

ZIS-101 standing in the Kremlin, the persons on the photo are, from left to right, Ivan Likhachev (Director of ZIS), Sergo Ordzhonikidze (Minister of Heavy Industry), Iosif Stalin (General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union), Vyacheslav Molotov (Minister of Foreign Affairs), and Anastas Mikoyan (Minister of Trade).