ZIL-4104
Encyclopedia
The ZIL-4104 was a limousine
built from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, when it served as the transport of the elite of the Soviet Union
. So much status did the car have that, although it is estimated that no more than fifty cars were produced each year, ZIL 4104s were granted exclusive use of the outside lane on highways during the model's production run.
The ZIL-4104 was an update of the ZIL-114
with which it shared the same chassis
. There was considerable restyling and the car was rather more streamlined than the 114, notably in the rear vision mirrors which in the 114 were of a very old style. The rear window, however, became less curved and more boxy in accordance with then-prevalent European practice. Despite sharing the same chassis, the ZIL-4104 was still as much as 200 kg
(441 lb
) heavier than the 114.
Mechanically, the ZIL-4104 also improved on the 114. The pushrod V8 engine of the 114 had its stroke increased from 95 mm (3.74 inches) to 105 mm (4.13 inches). With a 108 mm (4.25 inches) bore, this meant the capacity increased from 6962 cc (425 cubic inches) to 7691 cc (469 cubic inches), which was throughout the model's lifespan one of the world's biggest passenger-car engines (Cadillac offered a 500-cid engine). This engine developed 232 kW of power at 4,600 revs per minute and a substantial 608 newton metre of torque
.
By 1984, a new three-speed automatic transmission
had replaced the much outdated two-speed type that had been used by ZIL dating back to the first ZIL-111
in 1958.
chassis not previously used with the 7.7 litre engine.
Limousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
built from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, when it served as the transport of the elite of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. So much status did the car have that, although it is estimated that no more than fifty cars were produced each year, ZIL 4104s were granted exclusive use of the outside lane on highways during the model's production run.
The ZIL-4104 was an update of the ZIL-114
ZIL-114
ZIL-114 is a car from ZIL introduced in 1970 to replace the ZIL-111 series which was gradually becoming out of date.In almost all respects, the ZIL-114 improved on the 111, 111A and 111G models...
with which it shared the same chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
. There was considerable restyling and the car was rather more streamlined than the 114, notably in the rear vision mirrors which in the 114 were of a very old style. The rear window, however, became less curved and more boxy in accordance with then-prevalent European practice. Despite sharing the same chassis, the ZIL-4104 was still as much as 200 kg
Kilogram
The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
(441 lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) heavier than the 114.
Mechanically, the ZIL-4104 also improved on the 114. The pushrod V8 engine of the 114 had its stroke increased from 95 mm (3.74 inches) to 105 mm (4.13 inches). With a 108 mm (4.25 inches) bore, this meant the capacity increased from 6962 cc (425 cubic inches) to 7691 cc (469 cubic inches), which was throughout the model's lifespan one of the world's biggest passenger-car engines (Cadillac offered a 500-cid engine). This engine developed 232 kW of power at 4,600 revs per minute and a substantial 608 newton metre of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
.
By 1984, a new three-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
had replaced the much outdated two-speed type that had been used by ZIL dating back to the first ZIL-111
ZIL-111
After unsuccessful tests with the prototype ZIL-Moscow in 1956 the ZIL-111 was introduced from ZIL in 1959. The styling was inspired by the mid-1950s Packard, a United States automobile manufacturer...
in 1958.
ZIL-41044 and ZIL-41042
In the later years of the 4104 production run, ZIL introduced two derived models based on the 4104 chassis and the shortened ZIL-117ZIL-117
The ZIL-117 is a luxury sedan built by ZiL in Russia first presented at the Autopron in 1977. The car was reported to be only long, compared to for the established ZIL-114The ZIL-117 shares the 6.9 litre V8 engine by now fitted also to the earlier long-wheelbase ZIL-114...
chassis not previously used with the 7.7 litre engine.
- The 41044 was a shorter-wheelbase convertibleConvertibleA convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
. Unlike previous ZIL convertibles, it had only two doors but otherwise it was typically ZIL http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/zil41044cabrio.jpg. - The 41042 was the only station wagon ever produced by ZIL, but the few examples built were mainly used as hearseHearseA hearse is a funerary vehicle used to carry a coffin from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.-History:...
s for important people in the Soviet Union http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/zil41042carrofunebre.jpg.
