ZIL 130 - the legend of the Soviet automobile industry

ZIL 130 was one of the most common medium-duty vehicles in the Soviet era. For the first time he got off the assembly line in 1964. Despite the fact that this car has not been manufactured for several decades, ZIL 130 trucks are quite numerous on our streets. But because of high fuel prices, these cars are gradually stopping to be used.

But taking into account the current economic situation in Russia and the financial possibilities of automobile enterprises (especially in agriculture), ZIL 130 will be used for a long time.

In cities where gas filling stations are located, many automobile enterprises transfer ZIL 130 trucks to use methane or propane. Tuning of this kind allows saving fuel costs significantly. But because of the use of compressed gas, the engine loses its power, correspondingly, the speed and carrying capacity of the car decrease.

Therefore, it is worth paying attention to diesel engines. Although this type of fuel is not as cheap as methane or propane, it is very profitable to use it. After all, it is the diesel engine that makes it possible to use the ZIL 130 truck as a two-car trailer, thereby significantly reducing the cost of transportation. This option is especially relevant in agriculture: when harvesting, transporting grain from an elevator to a mill, and the like. After all, one diesel road train can easily replace two or three conventional production cars.

At the same time, environmental indicators are significantly improved. Reduces the amount of gas released into the atmosphere per unit of transported cargo. Diesel engines have a much lower emission of harmful substances into the environment than gasoline ones, and the use of new modern fuel equipment significantly reduces soot content.

Before the ZIL 130 was put into production, the designers did a great job. It was he who was the first car to leave the assembly line with the hydraulic steering wheel (at that time it was an unthinkable luxury), synchronized gearbox, windshield washer system, engine preheating and many other things.

It is worth noting that the ZIL 130, unlike its predecessors, had a spacious triple cabin. In the period from 1962 to 1964 the mass production of ZIL vehicles was started. At the same time, various modifications of trucks were created: ZIL 130 dumper, tractor, fire engines on its base, isothermal cars, tent vans.

Model 130 was very reliable and unpretentious in maintenance, so it began to buy foreigners. After a while, the Likhachev plant began to produce special truck modifications for both countries with a temperate climate and for tropical regions.

On special orders, ZIL 130 cars were equipped with English diesel engines of the Perkins brand. In Syria, India, Iraq and Iran, special bus chassis were exported on the basis of the long version of ZIL 130 G.

Thirty years later, in 1994, the ZIL 130 trucks were withdrawn from production.