ZIL-112 Sports

ZIL-112 Sports was a soviet sports car made by Zavod Imeni Likhacheva in 1961 and competed in races from 1961 to 1969. Two cars were built. The 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. A second ZiL-112S was equipped with a 270 hp 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 M21 Volga. In the rear, it used De Dion suspension with triangular levers. The transmission, like the engine, was from the ZIS-110. The body was similar to the Ferrari 250.

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 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.