Beta 1953 Zimskiy M12 Presidium 1.2

1947-1959 Zimskiy M12 aka Presidium

In the late 1940s, Soviet Union (USSR) leadership had decided to challenge US luxury car brands by creating its own luxury models. The team of skilled designers was summoned by high-ranking Party officials with an only one aim - To create the car which would be the Potomac or Chevron equivalent on the Soviet and Eastern Block closed markets. So, there were two options, to imitate mainstream 1945 US models or to create the car of its own kind. Designers had chosen to imitate mainstream yanks, so USSR illegaly imported premium US models, 1 of each "big four" Detroit brands. First, they chosen to make reverse-engineered and rebadged 3.5 l Ulver inliner-6 engine from the early 1940s. Then, they had chosen the 1946 Wright Super Eight as an role-model for external design, with the 1945 Lassiter 75 front fascia. The Leningrad Auto Zavod then launched its own premium line called "Zimskiy", named after main designer, Boris Alexandrovich Zimskiy. First model was shown at the 1947 Leningrad Expo. Party Leadership, Red Army officials and Eastern diplomats were impressed by the model's cues and engine capacity, and they've ordered the first batches. The model had also more powerful M12-12 version, painted in antrachite black monotone / red leather, reserved for secret police officials & powered by 4.0 l V8. The production was continued until the early 1959, when it was replaced by even more Western-styled GMZ M21 Volkov.

Tech information:

• Engine: 3504cc (3.5 l) inliner-6 of American origin
• Fuel economy: 16.8 l per 100 km
• Top speed: 160 km/h
• Suspension: Solid axle coil front / solid axle leaf rear
• Engine power: 128 bhp
• Redline: 4600 RPM
• Compression: 7:5:1
• Runs on low-grade Soviet 85 RON fuel
• Brakes: front & rear drums
• 0-100 for 13 seconds
• Comes in cocoa and white choco two-tone paint job
• Leather interior (seats and door parts)
• Standard AM radio
• Lots of chrome ornaments & strips
• 1950s Soviet license plates
• "Suicide" doors

Enjoy and good riding! : )