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Topic starter
06/10/2023 12:03 pm
Here I present six evocative Soviet cars of the pre war era, with notes taken from A. Thomson's 'Cars Of The Soviet Union'.
1934 Gaz A Aero DIP Models / 1936 Zis 101 Agostini / 1938 Zis 102 Kherson Models / 1936 Gaz M1 Kherson Models / 1939 Zis 101S Наш Автопром / 1940 Zis 101A IXO EST / 1940 Gaz 11 IXO EST
The 1934 GAZ-A-Aero was an experimental project aimed at fuel efficiency rather than increased speed. Produced by the automobile department of the Military Academy of Mechanization and Motorization of the Red Army (VAMM RKKA), along with other organizations with relevant scientific and technical research capabilities. The project was carried out at the initiative of designer Alexei Osipovich Nikitina and resulted in an optimum streamlined body of 4.97mts in length and 1.7mts tall with a curb weight of 1270 kg. (200 more than the stock Gaz A). It used the standard Gaz A power plant of 3,285cc of 48hp, giving a top speed of 70mph.
The Zis 101, first launched in 1936, was a large seven-passanger limousine, with a wheelbase of 3.6 mts. and overall length of 5.75 mts. using an 8 cylinder in-line power plant of 5,766cc and 90 hp, it had a top speed of 71mph.
A convertible version was launched in 1938 under the designation Zis102V. This benefitted from increased horse-power of 110 hp and top speed of 78 mph.
The Gaz M1 replaced the Gaz A in 1936 and was designed by a team headed-up by Gaz' chief designer Andrei Lipgart. It used a version of the 4 cylinder A's 3,285cc power plant up-dated to offer 50hp, giving a top speed of 62 mph.
An experimental sports version, the Zis 101S of 1939 used the same power plant as the new 102 convertible limousine but boosted to 141 hp and had an official top speed of 101 mph, though Pravda claimed a top speed of 112 mph.
The Zis 101 was replaced in 1940 by the Zis 101A which combined the body of the 101 - but with modernised grille treatment - with the more modern engine of the Zis 102. Again, production ceased in 1941 due to the German invasion.
The Gaz M11 in various forms - including the 61 series which were among the world's first four wheel drive passanger cars - superceded the Gaz M1 in 1940. It used a 6 cylynder power plant of 3,485cc and 76 hp giving a top speed in the standard sedan of 69 mph. Production was halted in 1941 but resumed after the war between 1945 and 1946 when it was superceded by the all new Gaz M20 Pobeda.
06/10/2023 12:46 pm
These cars would look nice among my American models.....
Try to find the differences......... 
Charles Rockett and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
06/10/2023 1:13 pm
@joop What is less often reported, is that the Soviet Union paid for rights to use US dies. In the case of the Gaz A - which is a Ford A - they also bought the plans to Ford's River Rouge plant, in Dearbourn where the Ford A was being assembled. General motors always denied supplying rights to their 1931 Buick for the Soviet Leningrad L1 although it is widely considered that the time gap between the two - and their almost identical characteristics in the smallest detail - was too short for reverse engineering. Plus, according to Maurice A. Kelly, Soviet records show three trips made to Russia by Harley Earl that do not appear on his passport records. Further: use of the Packard dies for the Zis 110 were negotiated by Stalin, with Roosevelt as part of the post-war settlement plan. The list goes on and I believe the myth that the Soviets 'stole' US designs has more to do with Cold War denial than reality. On this last, Anthony C. Sutton's 'Wall Street And The Bolshevik Revolution' is illuminating.
06/10/2023 2:23 pm
These all look superb ! I have the Zis 101A and it is an excellent model and could pass for a big American car in a late 1930's scene. "Uncle" Joe Stalin, although by 1941 had been switched from a Hitler/Axis ally to the Allied side, was not above dictator-like tactics to get/steal what he wanted.
David Green and Charles Rockett reacted
Topic starter
06/10/2023 2:29 pm
@mikedetorrice It seems he was quite a ruthless actor, though I' sure Winston and FDR were grateful of that at times.
06/10/2023 2:39 pm
Really interesting history and cars, Charles. Given the turbulent times between USA and the USSR, the turbulent early 30s and particularly after the partition of Poland in 1939, it is amazing that many of these vehicles even exist. I only have a few in my collection but will add more.
Ed Davis and Charles Rockett reacted
Topic starter
06/10/2023 2:51 pm
@david-green As you say, it was an extraordinary moment in time with everything moving so fast; key actors playing for time and others, for what they could get. The details can get complicated and I find these little cars that say so much about any era, help one to visualise events.
Ed Davis and David Green reacted
07/10/2023 3:05 am
great photos and background info thanks Charles. Amazing creative auto design and manufacturing was able to continue during those repressive Soviet years. These are the types of cars I like to collect in 1/43. However I do have a 1/24 Hachette et al GAZ A, Ford Model A copy, and a couple of others. Also intriguing to see the Packards in docos on the Yalta conference.
Charles Rockett reacted
Topic starter
07/10/2023 4:41 am
@geoff-jowett Thanks Geoff. Indeed those short clips of various dignitaries arriving at various conferences do show a completely different side of the hell; with such big, shiny limousines from various corners of the globe pulling-up to large mansions, attended by guards in full brass! It would be interesting to line all the USSR and USA models together: your Gaz and Ford As and @Joop's Packards for a kind of reunion!
Geoff Jowett and Ed Davis reacted
07/10/2023 12:48 pm
@charles thanks for your info.
I suppose finding differences would take hours of careful study....... 
Geoff Jowett and Charles Rockett reacted
08/10/2023 7:33 pm
This is the 1932 GAZ A produced by the USSR factory in Saratov, 1988-1991 (based on the baseplate details). It is No. A30, but that number was only on earlier versions.
Topic starter
08/10/2023 7:44 pm
A very nice model, and as I think I've mentioned before, nice to see alongside the box with Russian graphics. One can imagine the thrill of a young chap receiving one of these as new! They produced good quality toys with nice packaging: have you seen the USSR Russo Balt toys?
Harv Goranson reacted
Topic starter
08/10/2023 8:03 pm
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