On June 27, 1933, the first copy of the legendary Soviet ZIS-5 truck rolled off the assembly line. It was an improved version of another truck, AMO-3 which had been in production since 1931. The American 2.5-ton truck Autocar S3 served as the basis for the AMO-3. AMO designers modernized it, adapted to domestic conditions and increased engine power from 60 to 73 hp as well as load capacity. Along with the production of ZIS-5, its triaxial version ZIS-6 began. ZIS-5 was intended for the national economy and the customer of the ZIS-6 was the Red Army. In common parlance, the truck was called the three-ton, and the drivers nicknamed it “Zakhar”. The car was hardy, reliable, able to withstand all the hardships of ruthless operations. Its engine worked on any gasoline and the cheapest oil, the frames and bridges were extremely durable. «Zakhar» could go along all types of tracks, including country road, dirt and snow.
Cover: Kolesa.ru
