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{{Infobox automobile
| name = ZIM-12
| image = GAZ-12 ZIM Źmitrok Biadula Rd Minsk 24 August 2014.JPG
| manufacturer = [[GAZ]]
| production = 1950–1960
| assembly = Soviet Union: [[Nizhny Novgorod|Gorky]]
| predecessor = [[GAZ-M1|GAZ-11-73]]
| successor = [[GAZ-13|GAZ-13 Chaika]]
| class = [[Full-size]] [[luxury car]]
| body_style = [[Sedan (automobile)|Sedan]], [[Phaeton body|phaeton]] and [[ambulance]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|FR layout]]
| engine = 3.5 L ''[[Chrysler flathead engine|GAZ-12]]'' [[Straight-six engine|I6]]
| transmission = 3-speed [[manual transmission|manual]] with a [[Fluid coupling|hydrodynamic fluid coupling]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|3200|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{cvt|5530|mm|in|1}}
| width = {{cvt|1900|mm|in|1}}
| height = {{cvt|1660|mm|in|1}}
| weight = {{cvt|3800|-|4200|lb|kg}}
| designer = Andrey Lipgart
| aka = GAZ-12 (1958–1960)
}}
The '''ZIM-12''' ({{langx|ru|ЗИМ-12}}) was a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[full-size luxury car]] produced by the [[GAZ|Gorky Automotive Plant]] (GAZ) from 1950 until 1960. It was the first luxury car produced by GAZ and the first one to have the famous leaping gazelle hood ornament.<ref name=avto/><ref name = AT68>[[#AT1|Thompson]], p. 68</ref> The car was built to serve high and medium rank Soviet ''[[nomenklatura]]'', but was also readily available as a taxi and ambulance. Unlike its successors, ZIM was the only Soviet executive class full-size car that was actually made available for private ownership.<ref name=avto>''ZIM-12'', "Avtolegendy SSSR" Nr.3 {{in lang|ru}}</ref> A total of 21,527 examples were built.<ref name=avto/>

==Development==
[[File:GAZ-12 convertible (Plushev - IMGP2454).jpg|thumb|left|ZIM-12 convertible]]
[[File:GAZ-12 in Donetsk (side view).jpg|thumb|left|A ZIM-12 in [[Donetsk]]]]
[[File:AX ZIM Railcar SBug Bridge 20061105.jpg|thumb|right|ZIM [[draisine]] on the bridge over [[Southern Bug]] on [[Haivoron]] narrow gauge railway]]
GAZ began the design process for what became the M12 in May 1948, when the Soviet government requested a six-passenger sedan for the niche between the [[ZIS-110]] and the [[GAZ-M20 Pobeda|''Pobeda'']], with a deadline of twenty-nine months to produce it.<ref name = AT66>[[#AT1|Thompson]], p. 66</ref><ref name=avto/> Due to the lack of time, head designer [[Andrei Lipgart]] was given a choice between copying an American product (a [[Buick]]) or developing an entirely new model. He chose the latter, despite high level support for simply [[badge engineering]] a Buick, although the styling on the production vehicle still resembles a [[Buick Super#1942, 1946–1948|1948 Buick Super]].<ref name = AT66/><ref>{{cite web |title=История ГАЗ-12 «ЗИМ» |date=20 October 2022 |url=https://retro-sklad.ru/retrocars/gaz-12/istoriya-gaz-12-zim/ |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref>

The M12 used a lengthened ''Pobeda'' [[monocoque]] chassis (with a {{convert|3200|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[wheelbase]]), and about half the [[drivetrain]] components of the [[GAZ-51]] and [[GAZ-63]] trucks, including an improved version of the {{cvt|3485|cc|cid|1}} [[Straight-six engine|inline-six]] engine (producing {{cvt|95|PS|kW|0|disp=sqbr}}, rather than the {{cvt|70|PS|kW|0|disp=sqbr}} in the truck), and the transmission.<ref name = AT67>[[#AT1|Thompson]], p. 67</ref> The ZIM's [[compression ratio]] was increased to 6.7:1, but it was still able to employ the 70 [[octane]] petrol (gasoline) common in the Soviet Union; this, plus an improved [[intake manifold]] and twin-choke (two-barrel) [[carburetor]], was responsible for the increased power.<ref name = AT67/> The front suspension was by coil springs, with [[leaf spring]]s at the rear, and hydraulic [[shock absorber]]s. It had drum brakes at all four corners.<ref name = AT67/> Despite lacking power steering, the 18.2:1 ratio steering box made turning fairly easy. It offered a standard three-band [[AM radio]],<ref name = AT67/> at a time when radios were not standard on most American cars, even the most expensive ones.<ref>Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. ''American Cars 1946-1959'' (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), ''passim''.</ref>

The car weighed {{cvt|1940|kg|lb}}, was capable of getting {{cvt|19|L/100 km|mpgus mpgimp}}, of reaching {{cvt|78|mph|km/h|disp=flip}}, and of accelerating {{convert|0|-|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 37 seconds.<ref name = AT67/> It had one unusual feature: the rear [[Tire tread|tread]] (track), at {{cvt|1,560|mm|in}}, was wider than the front by {{cvt|100|mm|in}}, to ensure the rear seat would accommodate three passengers. The result was an [[Oldsmobile 88#1949–1953|Oldsmobile]]-like "bulge".<ref name = AT67/> It was also the first GAZ to feature the leaping gazelle [[hood ornament]].<ref name = AT68>[[#AT1|Thompson]], p. 68</ref>

The first car was built in October 1950, and was notionally available to average citizens; its 40,000 ruble price made purchase unlikely (comparing to 16,000 for mid-class Pobeda).<ref name = AT68/>

The ''ZIM'' abbreviation stands for Zavod imeni Molotova ({{langx|ru|Завод имени Молотова}}). Prior to 1957, the GAZ factory was officially named ''Gorkovsky avtomobilny zavod imeni V.M. Molotova'', or the ''[[Vyacheslav Molotov]] Gorky automotive factory'', in honour of the Soviet Foreign Minister. All of the models carried the prefix ''M'' instead of ''GAZ''. However, for a car of executive class, a new catchy abbreviation was introduced, coinciding with bigger [[ZiL|ZIS]] limousines. In the style of American car fashion that the vehicle was inspired by, the ZIM was used extensively to decorate the car: the hubcaps, the bonnet, the radiator grille, even the horn button on the steering wheel. However, Molotov's career abruptly ended in May 1957, when he lost a [[Anti-Party Group|political fallout]] with [[Nikita Khrushchev]]. Thereafter, the USSR rapidly renamed cities, streets, ships and factories that had been named after him. ZIM, which was in production, from the summer of 1957 was hurriedly renamed '''GAZ-12''', and all of the badges and adornments replaced by the new abbreviation. Moreover, right up until the perestroika the car was officially named labelled only as the GAZ-12, whilst unofficially it was almost exclusively referred to as the ZIM.

A prototype four-door [[cabriolet]] was built in 1949, but not produced, due to problems with rigidity.<ref name=avto/> It was also overweight for the engine.<ref name = AT68/><ref name = AT69>[[#AT1|Thompson]], p. 69</ref> An ambulance GAZ-12B was also built in 1951–1960, with folding seats for medics and basically same body; stretchers were loaded through the trunk.<ref>''GAZ-12B skoraya pomoshch'', "Avtomobil Na Sluzhbye", No. 1, DeAgostini, 2010, {{ISBN|978-5-9774-0418-1}}, {{in lang|ru}}</ref> There was also a taxi variant GAZ-12A, used mainly as a ''[[marshrutka]]'' in state-owned inter-city communication,<ref name=avto/> and a [[draisine]] designed and built on the ZIM basis for the use on [[narrow-gauge railway]]s.<ref name=avto/>

Due to the high price, the ZIM was exported only to a limited extent, including some examples to [[Poland]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Finland]] (as large-capacity taxis or sometimes even for private sale) and the [[East Germany|GDR]]. In Czechoslovakia, it was intended to replace the Tatras of the pre-war period, but was not particularly popular due to the poorer driving performance and the less than satisfactory build quality in early years. In the Soviet Union, on the other hand, the car was widespread and continued to see many years of use even after the end of production. It was also used by the [[Militsiya|civil police force]], with these vehicles painted dark blue with red side stripes and a red flashing light on the roof. In 1960, production of all three versions of the GAZ-12 ZIM ended after a total of 21,527 units.

The GAZ-12 was replaced by the [[GAZ-13|GAZ-13 ''Chaika'']].<ref name = AT69/>

==Technical specifications==
[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-04500-0016%2C_Leipzig%2C_Flughafen%2C_Flugzeug%2C_Limousine.jpg|thumb|right|A ZIM-12 of the Soviet delegation in [[East Germany]], 1957]]
[[File:GAZ 12 ZIM (36286570814).jpg|thumb|The leaping gazelle]]
* Clearance: {{convert|200|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
* Turn radius: {{convert|7.4|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}
* [[Gearbox]]: 3 speeds + reverse
* Weight: {{convert|1800|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} ({{convert|1940|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} with full tank, oil and other liquids)
* Maximum speed: {{convert|120|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}}
* Fuel tank: {{Convert|80|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on}}
* Fuel consumption: {{convert|15.5|L/100 km|abbr=on}} at 50–60&nbsp;km/h

{{commons category|GAZ-12 ZIM}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{citation | ref = AT1 | title = Cars of the Soviet Union: The Definite History | first = Andy | last = Thompson | publisher = Haynes | location = Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset | date = 2008 | isbn = 978-1-84425-483-5 }}
* ''ZIM-12'', "Avtolegendy SSSR" Nr.3, DeAgostini, 2009, ISSN 2071-095X {{in lang|ru}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cars of Russia]]
[[Category:Soviet automobiles]]
[[Category:GAZ Group vehicles]]
[[Category:Flagship vehicles]]
[[Category:Luxury vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1950]]