ZIL ZIS-110 History

The ZIS-110 was the Soviet Union's principal state limousine for over a decade after World War II. Development began in 1944, with engineers reverse-engineering a 1942 Packard Super Eight as the engineering template; the first five prototypes were completed by August 1945 and production began in 1946.

Power came from a 6.0-liter straight-eight engine producing 140 hp, giving a top speed over 140 km/h. The car was produced in limousine and convertible (ZIS-110B) body styles and was provided as gifts to allied communist leaders including Mao Zedong and Kim Il-sung. A heavily armored variant, the ZIS-115, was built in 32 examples specifically for Stalin between 1948 and 1949.

Total production reached 2,089 cars — substantial by ZIS/ZIL standards — before the line was retired in 1958 and replaced by the ZIL-111. The ZIS-110 remained in service well into the 1960s and survives in museum collections.