Re: Russian Tchaika [means seagull]

Posted by Leeedy On 2009/2/7 12:54:59

There is little confusion in the thread. The Tchaika or "Chaika" (as it has usually been known and spelled in the USA) and the ZIL are similar, but different cars. Just like the 1955-56 Packard and Clipper. I think of the Chaika as the counterpart to the Clipper. Both even have two syllables.

Often I have seen ZILs referred to as Chaikas and vice-versa. In one set of photos in the thread there is an obvious ZIL, but it is labeled as a Tchaika. ZIL is the senior car and looks more like a 1956 Packard from the front. There were different versions of the ZIL (sedans, limos, convertibles) and a special ZIL 111G that was made in a convertible for Nikita Kruschev.

The ZIL (actually ZIL 111) was NOT based on 1956 Packard factory dies, but was obviously copied the senior Packard right down to the cathedral style tail lights in the rear. Some pieces were copied from 1957 Ford (like the side trim), some from 1956 Ford, some from Cadillac, some from Pontiac, some from Chrysler, etc.

The Chaika (like the 1955-56 Clipper) had toned-down grille, different side trim, tail lights and rear quarters.

There is a Chaika in the LeMay museum collection in Tacoma Washington. However, it is described as the "car for communist party high rollers." In fact, if you were a big wheel in Russia, you were in a ZIL... smaller wheels rode in Chaikas!