The ZIL-118 Story: The Soviet Minibus Henry Ford's Grandson Wanted! [Soviet/Russian Bus History]

In the early 1960s, in an attempt to replace the ZIL limousine, the Soviet vehicle manufacturer developed a minibus for 17 passengers. The only problem? It was mainly for mid-level party members only. And it was officially designated a multi-seat passenger car, but never a bus.
The minibus, known as the ZIL-118, made its debut in 1962. Developed in secrecy, it became a mode of transport that was not to be mass-produced. Only 86 examples were built.
An Ambulance version also appeared, and in 1970, an updated version with a more modernized body made its debut. Later on, a newer model, nearly identical to the one in 1970 was produced, called the ZIL-3207.
And in a strange twist of irony, in the late 1960s, Henry Ford II wanted to bring this minibus to the US. The attempt, however, had failed.
See and hear the story of the ZIL-118 minibus!
And as always, thank you so much for watching, liking, commenting and sharing my videos! I am very grateful for all of the support I receive from all of you who enjoy my work!
#bus #buses #vehicledesign #vehicles #automotivedesign #automotivehistory #automotive #rapidtransit #transport #transportation #ussr #henryford #ford

[@erikziak1249]

Hello Jeffrey! Reminds me a bit of the Tatra 603 MB. A minibus developed and built in 1960-1961 by the branch development office of Tatra in Bratislava (my hometown). It had a 2.5 liter air cooled V8 located behind the front axle and front wheel drive. That meant that everything behind could be built super low to the ground, there was no driveshaft to the rear axle. The design of the body was heavily influenced by the Tatra 805, as its cabin was taken as the base for the whole chassis, to advance development and production. The Tatra 603 NP open lorry prototype with a very low loading edge was built as well in 1962 (floor height only 450 mm above ground). The bus, designed for 12 passengers (and one driver) never went into production, only one prototype was built. It can be seen in the Bratislava Transport Museum today. Practically a Citroen H van layout, but with a way better design, engine and performance. The development branch of Tatra in Bratislava wanted to introduce a better looking prototype (as the first and only one used many parts of the Tatra 805 light off road lorry), but it was not meant to be. Lucky for us, the prototype, which could run at speeds up to 120 km/h, was saved.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh yes, I am a little bit familiar with the Tatra 603 MB, I was considering doing a video on that bus - maybe sometime in the future. Great info you provided, very interesting!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@cwt5654]

Engine placement and a compact drivetrain are crucial for any successful minibus/coach design. Maybe the battery electric era will bring about renewed interest in this size of vehicle.

[@arch9enius]

Gilford in the UK did something similar in the 1930s. It came in single and double decks, and didn't sell any.

[@erikziak1249]

@@arch9enius I did not know of them, had to google. Very interesting, full sized buses with FF layout. Very modern for their time. Was certainly an advantage for double deck design to keep the height as low as possible, with enough room for passengers inside. The disadvantage might have been poor traction in winter and uphill. But that is only my guess. We had also pretty modern looking Tatra 27/91 buses in Bratislava in 1936 as well as the first buses with a Diesel engine. Sadly, none was preserved. The buses had the engine in the front, rear wheel drive (backbone tube - Tatra concept), "flat nose"/"cab over" design. They were the last buses delivered for "right hand drive" (on the left side of the road) and had to be adapted in 1939. I heard that some buses had doors on both sides for a short period of time, practically being "prepared" for the switch before it happened, so they can continue operating during the time period! But I could not find any images of that. Might be a made up story.

[@richardheilmann4007]

Again with the Corvair Greenbrier styling!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Yes, it seems to be quite popular!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@sprint955st]

Looks like a prop from a Gerry Anderson TV show

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

LOL, yes, maybe Gerry Anderson even saw this before he created all those vehicles!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@badbusdriver7160]

Really like this, especially the earlier shape! I'd say it would serve well as airport transport for hotels. But I also think that with a raised roof it would make a brilliant RV/motor home. I was going to add that the V8 petrol would make it a bit thirsty, but that would maybe going to be more of an issue in the UK (where I am) rather than in the USA where many RV's (certainly older ones) use V8 petrol engines anyway!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, that may have been a good idea to use it for airport shuttle use. But quite different kind of an airport bus than PALT! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@stevehill4615]

@@JeffreyOrnstein I think you might be right Jeffrey, I'm sure in an episode of Thunderbirds or Captain Scarlet there's a vehicle that looks very similar to the Zil.

[@jeffclark2725]

Those were a very unique van, coach ambulance , multi purpose van, Too bad they didnt make it, Look today we have Sprinter Vans, Ford has their line of vans and they are both all over the world in all kinds of different configurations, great video, really enjoy them

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it's unfortunate so few were built! Very glad you liked the video!!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@mikeely343]

Thank you, Jeffrey. This was so interesting. I thought the older model looked nicer, but all of it is just fascinating!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Very glad you liked the video! And yes, the original 118 was nicer looking! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@crabbymilton390]

Looks more like a full size van but not a bus. Everybody was silent after Khrushchev made the declaration because they were afraid he were would take his shoe off and start hitting everyone. I never expected it to have a V8. I expected a small 6 or 4 and not able to go more than 40mph. Interesting and informative as always Jeffery.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello, very glad you liked the video! Yes, I'm sure that's why there was no opposition!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@nigelgoodwin6954]

Another great history story. Thanks.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Very glad you liked the video! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@nameless5413]

strange wild ideas engineers come up with, to be frank it is probably quite the success that they got any production off the ground given how it was concieved. I never heard of it but looks like interesting vehicle to me, they hobbyists who built 1st one are certainly clever folk,

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, that "Youth" team sure came up with something unusual! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@goclunker]

Officials don't ride in buses and vans like the plebs! Equal, but different!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

LOL, how true!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@danieleregoli812]

Woooow... mind-bending stuff!!!! Love the Zil!!!!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it's quite an interesting vehicle! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@michaelwalter3399]

The front end styling is vaguely similar to the Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier minivan.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, there is some similarities to the front of the Greenbrier! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@glenjones6980]

The early model has that Thunderbirds vibe about it with the front end styling. I like the styling of many from that period, I guess I was born too late. On looks alone it was a winner but the production figures tell different story which seems a shame.

[@Andy_Novosad]

I see more of the Chevy Corvair Van influence in its front end of the body.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, there sure is a Gerry Anderson look to it!!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@glenjones6980]

@@Andy_Novosad I did see that too. Much of what Gerry Anderson was doing at the time was geared towards appealing to the US networks hence the use of colour film and many American actors voicing the characters. Throw in Lady P, Parker and the Rolls Royce and there was something familiar but still futuristic for both the UK and USA viewers.

[@johnpoile1451]

Make a very acceptable camper conversion.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Yes, it would make a good camper, definitely! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@geebs76]

I enjoyed this video of a neat looking bus. I wonder how loud it was in the driver's compartment with the engine sitting so high in the cabin? It looks like it has a lot of padding around it but I'm guessing noise probably contributed to the addition of the window between the driver and passenger compartments. Of course the window could have been there so the driver couldn't hear what the less prominent delegations were saying.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

LOL! I like your comment about the "less prominent" delgations! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@tonys1636]

The USSR didn't need an OSA to make sure drivers didn't repeat what they heard to the wrong ears as the KGB bugged everything. They even knew when state employees farted or any visiting delegates did.

[@janickgoudeau6126]

Interesting video! Always liked the Zil state limousines. I had the opportunity to see one down in a private museum in South Floridas. J.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, ZIL made some nice-looking cars for the "party." Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@dmfraser1444]

I suggest that Ford did built them but as the somewhat smaller Econoline van and did not pay any royalties. The Econoline did have a mini-bus version.

[@nlpnt]

The first generation Econoline predates these (it was already in full production for the 1961 model year) and by 1970 they'd moved on to the second generation. The early one was also considerably smaller, being based on the Falcon's mechanicals.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

LOL, it does have econoline vibes to it!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@FolgoreCZ]

I think this could have had a potential before passenger vans became a thing. It occupies more or less the same niche. And it pretty much is one anyways, I'm sure that if it were to became successful, somebody would make a cargo version sooner or later.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it is possible it could have worked, and surely a freight version would have been made as you say! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@StephenAllcroft]

Hello from Scotland, thank you for another fascinating subject Jeffrey. Using the Chaika's big lazy V8, two speed torque converter and long travel suspension would have given a very refined and really rather thirsty vehicle, absolutely irrelevant and unviable in Western Europe, but if I was a less prominent member of Henry II's entourage I could envisage a few applications for the late 1960s US Market. Public Authorities would not have been able to reach the price of one of these, so while I can see your point about the ease with which a rear ramp or lift could be fitted, I don't think either a welfare minibus or a an ambulance would have worked in the US market at the time. If we look at the Ford facilities at the time, there was one which built vehicles in a similar way to ZIL. Lincoln. The 118 could have been adapted to use Continental units and been employed in a very similar way to in the USSR, but for moving a Corporation's board of directors, with a adaptable seating like the Matra-Renault Espace, and an audio-visual fit (and maybe a bar) like the Super National it could have been a mobile boardroom. If on the other hand it was productionised, for a volume application rather than staying true to the initial concept, two niches spring to mind, both actually filled using GM's front wheel drive technology. First the Recreational Vehicle, secondly a Shuttle with better capacity amenity and comfort than the Oldsmobile based ACQ Jetway 707 in a smaller more manouvreable package. I do feel sure though that any of these concepts would not have given good returns on investment. I am reminded of a story told by someone who was interviewed at the Ford England HQ at Dagenham. The first interview question was "What do Ford make?" He replied "Cars." Interviewer said "No, we make money." That's why I think the 118, though superficially an interesting product, would not have fitted the Ford ethos.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello Stephen!! Thanks for all of this information!! LOL, yes it does seem like it would have been impractical for the US market. Certainly not as an ambulance, as it's just too low (too little headroom) compared to what exists here. Although, I wonder if these would have worked well instead of the White National Park buses. Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@christmassnow3465]

There is always a great risk in developing a niche-application vehicle. More versatile and general purpose vehicles which can be modified to fit any purpose, are more likely to fill the market and at a lower cost as well.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, you are right, the 118 seems to have been too niche for success! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@Andy_Novosad]

Undoubtedly, a very nice video about an interesting minibus. I'll add a bit to it - there was absolutely no chance for Ford to negotiate a license for its production in the USA. While it looks stunning and elegant, and the technologies used were quite advanced, especially for the Soviets, its low production volume and the specifics of the specialized manufacturing facility where it was built meant that it was designed in a way and made using very unconventional techniques and methods that couldn’t be scaled up for mass production. And mass production was exactly what Ford would have been interested in. There’s also the issue of production cost, which, under a command communist economy, where this bus was manufactured as a prestige project for the entire country, was essentially irrelevant. No wonder the ZIL-117, along with other experimental and highly advanced but one-off buses of the LAZ "Ukraine" series, were sent to Nice, France, for the bus competition, where they won major prizes. The only problem was that they had no actual connection to the Soviet buses that were in production or planned for mass manufacturing. The technologies and methods used in them were rarely implemented in serial production, and when they were, it often took nearly half a decade, or more, or even never, for them to reach the assembly line.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Great comment on the history of Soviet buses, as always, very interesting!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@crabbymilton390]

They did the right thing to back down. FORD had the E SERIES vans that were well proven for decades.

[@eduardoinarritu]

Hi, I'm from Guatemala and I really liked this video. I didn't know your channel. Congratulations, it's very good. Regards

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I'm very glad you liked the video and my channel!!! Thank you for the very nice words, and thank you very much for watching from Guatemala!!

[@Sid-jx4gl]

I like it

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it's quite nice! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@crossleydd42]

As unique is a one-off, you don't need VERY unique!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

LOL, how true! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@crossleydd42]

@@JeffreyOrnstein Interesting story!

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Its beautifull, I like its concept of a people carrier which you can see several nowadays. It must have been a breeze to drive, seeing the drivers position and controls. The side glass windows look like the Volkswagen Kombi I think the version was called 'Alpine'.🐞

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it must have been easier to drive than a full-sized bus!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@andrey-uf1tg]

I was born in the USSR in the late 1970s and have lived in one of the regional centers (with a population of slightly less than a million people) all my life. I have never seen such a bus in real life, and only once read about it as an experimental project. As for the "party" cars, they were the same cars that were used as taxis (GAZ-24 "Volga"). Very rarely did I see a GAZ-14 Chaika limousine, but I mostly remember it as a car that was rented for wedding processions (they said that there were two such cars in the city).

[@RobertJarecki]

One must agree with you. The GAZ 14 was a rare car. One source says only 1,114 were produced 1977 through 1988. Perhaps very few people saw them. The earlier model, the GAZ 13 is not as rare. Probably 3,179 were made 1958 to 1981. I have met a few old people who lived in the USSR during those times and saw few of those cars. One lady mentioned renting one for her wedding (she never owned a car as she used taxis). I prefer the GAZ 13 and the ZIS 110 as they resemble Packards, my favorite automobile make.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Very interesting - I am learning about Soviet vehicles as I do these videos!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@nlpnt]

17 passengers! That explains the rarity and the reason why the Ford deal (if it wasn't apocryphal) fell through - it's only 2 or 3 more, depending on whether the driver's counted, than can be fit in the next lower size of minibus (RAF Latvia in the Soviet context, or the largest Ford Econoline Club Wagon). In the US it's also just 2 more people than the 15pax limit for a driver holding a normal car license in most states.

[@arch9enius]

Less comfortable seats would fix that . Although this version would be a good replacement for thr stretched Packard or White sedans hotels and national parks used to use.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Good info, maybe a shorter version would have worked for the US?! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@highpath4776]

the front looks a bit like a matchbox 1-75 coach model

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! True, it does have the same sort of shape!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@The-Silent-Rider]

Hiiiiiiiiiii Jeffrey, I wonder if Ford were inspired by this design of bus to incorporate into commercial light vans ..... At first I thought it was American and from a scene from the Batman and A Team movies from the 70's and 80''s I watched as a child.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Oh yes, it does have a resemblance to the Ford Econoline vans of the 1970s! Hmmm..... Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@OwenBlomfield]

Interesting history behind the ZIL-118.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Very glad you found the video interesting!! Thank you very much for watching!!

[@peterkneissl3358]

I could see it as an airport shuttle

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! That may have been a good use for it! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@BobAbc0815]

Compared with Chruschtschows other Projects (i.e. Rocket armed Tanks, Supermarkets minus Stuff to sell) this one is realy brilliant.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

LOL, I guess 1 out of 1,000,000 is better than nothing!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@natasastanojevic]

Before my transition, when I still worked with classic cars, I saw one in a dilapidated state in some junkyard in neighbouring Romania (I'm from Serbia), and so obscure is this vehicle even in formerly socialist Yugoslav car culture, that I was the only one who knew what it was, based on some Russian language book about rare cars from the communist world that I shuffled through at home of my Russian disident friend.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Very interesting story!! And it's great that you knew what this vehicle was when you saw it, although in an unfortunately poor condition. Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@natasastanojevic]

​@@JeffreyOrnsteinThank you. Unfortunately, the one I saw was the less cool looking updated version with 4 headlights in black plastic squares. If you want to see an interesting obscure Soviet minibus, Google "SARB Start". You'll thank me later.

[@1208bug]

Wow cool Jeffrey!

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Very glad you liked the video!!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@americanrambler4972]

This actually is a pretty cool van. Based on the dimensions, this appears to be a bit of a larger dodge maxivan or ford econoline club wagon. Pretty much like what we see in the larger transit and sprinter passenger vans today. Too bad ford was never granted a license. I bet it would have made an excellent airport shuttle bus. With some style.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it could have some uses if built in the US - and yes, it does remind me of the Ford Econoline!!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@damienmorrison7226]

its so cool xx

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Yes, it sure is a cool little bus! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@NickRatnieks]

The sort of transport that might be seen in Thunderbirds- along with Lady Penelope's Rolls-Royce.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it does have those Thunderbirds vibes!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@TheNewTriStateGuy]

Hey, nice documentary! My grandfather, who lived in Estonia, actually rode on one of these buses in Russia. Also, do you have any documentaries on Boeing-Vertol? As I am looking for information on the ACT-1, if you don’t have one, that’s fine.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello, really glad you liked the video! For some info on ACT-1, check out my SOAC documentary I did earlier in the year. I believe there's some ACT-1 info in it!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@TheNewTriStateGuy]

@@JeffreyOrnstein Thanks!

[@brianbrwa]

For your friends from NYCMTA, how did they get a Ford E-Transit? Mason Transit + Pierce Transit would love some of them. Olympia is propane-obsessed.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I don't know how the MTA purchased those vehicles. Hopefully you'll soon get some!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@patricktrakzel9657]

That would make a great motorhome. The 118 looks cool. The later versions, 118 K, looks boring though. The 5301 is kinda okay. Looks like it has more wheel travel. An off road camper! Great.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, the 118 would make a great camper!!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@jonathansmyth9249]

Posably you might say the Toyota Coster is that vehicle for today.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Yes, the Coaster is the modern-day transit van in many places! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@rolliebear42]

This looks like the Brooks Stevens designed Jeep FC wagons. The last version looks like a contemporary Fiat.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Yes, it sure does have some resemblance to those vehicles!! Thanks very much for watching!!

[@stanleybest8833]

The Zil 118 original version didn't stand a chance in the USA. We had so many better options. Add the later curved window complexity, and you have a disaster. The roof is flexible and delicate. All that glass to break. If.the Zil wa steel, it would have been a rusting tub of lard. Imagine the 118 in Miami bumper to bumper traffic with 17 passengers and all those windows. At least you wouldn't have to steam your vegetables when you got home.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Some very good points you make! Thanks very much for watching again!

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Looks like a car. Reminded me at first glance of Leyland Royal Tiger Coach as modelled by Matchbox Toys No.40. The first bus is most definately a US inspired idea. How unoriginal or tantamount to a great design. Nice mini doc on this peculiar vehicle.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Very happy you liked the video!! Yes, it does look a little like that matchbox model!! Thanks very much for watching again!

[@JTA1961]

Would have worked ifn they'd made a police version, with no windows so pepo couldn't see who was... bus~ted.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! LOL!! Yes, and I wonder why a police version wasn't built!! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@johnburns4017]

Why didn't Ford make it? It is unique and wonderful looking.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! I read after I created the video that the Soviets refused to license it to Ford. Thanks very much for watching!!

[@johnburns4017]

@@JeffreyOrnstein A shame. I think it is superb looking. No doubt Ford would have installed Ford engines and transmissions. Making it front wheel drive would have improved it releasing useful space behind the engine.

[@mastersafari5349]

0:12 wth is that map? 😅 It's so inaccurate and bizarre, where do you even find those? 😂

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! Do you mean the New York map? If so, it's the Chrystie Street connection map from 1967! I found them online and printed it! Thanks very much for watching again!!

[@davidadam6997]

Did any of them make it to American museums?

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Hello! No, unfortunately. Any survivors are in Russian museums. Thanks very much for watching again!

[@timothyhays1817]

RV conversation.

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Yes, it could be a good RV conversion!! Thanks very much for watching!!