The Soviet automobile industry could have been considered as conservative in the 1950s/60s, at least in the civilian sphere. On the other hand, military vehicles made in USSR back then were at the beginning of a new stage to put it simply. It was the dawn of many successful, or not, prototypes.
The race with the United States for world domination had just started and the finest engineers on both sides had to perform their best. There were no rules. They started from pure ideas and originality through old and tested designs to offhand steals. Literally, no holds barred.
Off-Road Vehicles
ZiS 157 prototype in 1956. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
Off-road vehicle ZIS-E134 Model number 3 in 1956. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
Water tests of ZIS-E134. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
Prototype off-road vehicle based on ZIL-157 – ZIL-157R. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
2.5-ton vehicle ZIL-157R on six arched tires. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
Experimental vehicle ZIL-136 in 1957.Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
ZIL-136 with a monocoque body and frameless arched tires. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
The original BTR-E152V. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
ZIL 132
The three-axle 2.5-tonne truck ZIL-132 with cab from the ZIL-131. 1960. Photo Credit: ⒸEvgeniy Kochnev, Kolesa.ru.
