Packard Forum Index » ZIS, ZIL, and other Packard Cousins!

I enjoy every post that is made and read every post. I don't always have a comment to make tho. Russian car production is very new to all of us here in the US.

The Zil 111 is definately my favorite in terms of styling. I like it as much as the 55-56 Caribbean.

Gerd: I always like your posts on Russian autos. Keep up the good work. I have learned a lot from you.

John F. Shireman

Gerd, By all means keep up the great work. I really enjoy the photos and your commentary about these cars which are so rarely seen here in North America.

Gerd -

Due to continued problems between work and home, I haven't had as much time to participate online, but I have learned more here about the "Russian Packards" than anywhere else - online or in print. In fact, you've answered questions that have gone unanswered at other sites.

Yet, don't mistake any lack of response as a lack of interest. You know much more about these cars thany anyone here in the USA.

Sometimes, because of differences in our cultural perspectives, as well as barriers between languages, I might not always get every point you might be trying to make, but I have always enjoyed your posts.

Keep up the good work!

Did you know at least one Chaika was exported to Canada? It was brought in by a limousine company in Oakville Ontario.

Their main business was to convert American cars into stretch limousines. They were one of the biggest limousine makers in North America.

Someone there had the idea of importing Chaika limousines for sale.

They also brought in a Hong Qui (Red Star) from China.

For some reason, both cars came without engines. The Chaika was fitted with a Ford V8 and the Hong Qui with a Chevrolet V8.

Both cars were road tested by Car and Driver magazine in about 1989.

Here is the only info I could find on the net concerning the Canadian Chaika.

http://flickr.com/photos/sestsettrojka/2420596943/

Here is the chassis plate and some other photos. You will notice it is a newer model.

http://flickr.com/photos/sestsettrojka/2420608857/

By the way the only internet service available where I live is dial up. My download speed is from 4 to 7 Kb. One of your wide screen Cecil DeMille spectaculars can clog up my computer for hours. So I very seldom open them.

I do answer other threads mostly of a technical nature.

Hi I just joined this message board.

I have been fascinated by the Russian limos since I got one of those 1:43 diecast Chaika models in the late '80s or so. I have been working on a 1:25 scale model of one, pieced together from several plastic kits. So far I have an engine done, and have the chassis/suspension roughed in.

Chaika engines are mainly aluminum, and are of presumably European origin. One article claims they came from a FIAT design:

(Original German article)
http://www.zuckerfabrik24.de/fiat/fiat140.htm

(Translated text)
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zuckerfabrik24.de%2Ffiat%2Ffiat140.htm&sl=de&tl=en&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1

The GAZ engine has been used in trucks and industrial applications as well.

Another thing to point out is the Chaikas employed a 1957 Cadillac 75 limo style chassis (cruciform, with rear leaf springs) for both the GAZ-13 and the GAZ-14 version that followed...well into the 1980s!

According to what I have read, the vast majority of Chaikas were painted black. A few early ones were painted in bright two-tone schemes for publicity purposes IIRC. This next site has scans from brochures, as well as photos from a restoration of a Chaika (to a two-tone color scheme).

http://www.gaz13chaika.narod.ru/ (3rd link at the top of linked page is Restoration, the 4th is Archive, and the 5th is History.)

I like this early prototype (in disguise, I think?):



This final site shows the restoration/customization of another Chaika. (Scroll all the way down):
http://egorov.msk.ru/eng/auto/4/21.html

Another more heavily customized one from the same site:
http://egorov.msk.ru/eng/auto/5/46.html

Thanks for a fascinating thread. Many of the pictures posted here I have not seen before.

Keep it going.

Quote:
G'day Brian,
to Packardinfo, a great Site.

I'm sure Gerd won't mind me momentarily hi-jacking his thread as he knows my penchant for what's to follow.

Brian, if you have a Packard I invite you to include it in the Owner Registry together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it. Normal transmission can now be resumed.

Thanks for your welcome. I do not have a full-sized old car to play with. I have enough unfinished model projects to tell me that a 1:1 project wouldn't be a good idea...

OK then Brian, what about some pic's here of your model Chaika's then? Or of any Packard models in the General Forum. I for one would love to see them.

I'd be happy to post some pictures of my project. I'm going for a slightly worn and weathered look. Engine has been finished to look grimy and dirty through a combination of paint and artists' media (chalks and such).

I started with the basic engine block and heads from a '62 Pontiac, removing all detail, and making the crankcase and oil pan from bits of plastic sheet.

Unfortunately, many of the pictures are a bit large. I was learning a new camera along the way and didn't notice how big they were coming out.

The last picture is my 1:43 diecast that started it all.

Note that to open the rear doors, the fronts have to be open due the hinge design.

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