PrintZIS-127

General Data

Manufacturer ZiS i.e. Zavod imeni Stalina (Factory named Stalin), now ZIL i.e Zavod imeni Likhachova (Factory named Likhachova)
Year of Production 
1956
Type of Bodywork/Model  ZIS-127 (manufactured in the years of 1956-1960 copying an American example)
Nickname Reaktiiv, Maanteede kuningas (Jet, King of Roads)
Characterization It is the first bus of USSR that was specifically designed for intercity travel. It was riveted and it had aluminium profile chassis. Bus engine made on acceleration unusual whining sound because of the short exhaust pipes, and the voice is comparable to jet aeroplane in taking off. Peculiarity is the spotlight un the front part above. Reaktiiv (jet) was the first public transport bus where the so-called aeroplane type of seats with the high back rest were used.
Speciality So far, according to the information catered, this type of bus is the only one in Estonia, perhaps in the whole world! Only 851 buses of this type were produced.
Technical indicators

6,9 litres, 6 cylinders, 180 horsepower, 2 stroke diesel engine with 4 gears gear-box,
unladen mass ca 7 tonnes,
construction speed 95 km per hour, max 120 km per hour,
fuel consumption 42/100,
10,2 m long, 2,7 m wide and 3 m height (wider than allowed by later standards),
32 seats and 1 door.

History and Owners of ZIS-127

1956 - 1965 
Leningrad
 Bus served fairly inter-urban routes for 9 years. 
1965 Viiburi It was sent for demolition after that, as the passage was over 1 million km for that time.
1965 - 1989
 Collective farm of Kuusalu
 3 similar ZIS buses were bought, from which handymen made 2. The bus was mainly used for taking the people of collective farm for a trip to Crimea in the summer vacations. Hans Kurg was the owner of the bus for a long time. Bigger repair works were done at the beginning of the 80-ies: the side wings were exchanged and the engine was repaired. Unfortunately the head-restraints were removed from the seats (compare the pictures when ZIS was new and when it arrived to the workshop).
1989 Tartu Autobussi- ja Taksopark
As a result of a barter trade Kuusalu got Ikarus 256.
1991 Bus company "Mootor" Bus was purchased and brought to Tallinn. However, in 1993 the bus company Mootor was privatised to Danish businessman, who did not care about the history of the bus and resold it.
1998
 AS Marsruut (Pärnu) The company in Pärny purchased the bus and kept it stable until the company was acquired by SEBE.
2008
 AS SEBE The bus was in a sad condition, but fortunately almost whole, so the time consuming and resourceful renovation begun!

Renovation of ZIS-127

Renovation time 
2008 - 2010 the chassis of the bus is restored on its original form; we are working with lattice, seats and many small parts.
The renovation of the bus should be completed by spring 2011.
Working hours

Over 1300 working hours (by the beginning of 2010).
Consultants Fans of old technology from Kuusalu Autobaas and Ants Kõnd.
Goal To save the last remaining ZIS-127 type bus.
Experts The handymen of SEBE and Busland Andres Hõrak (bodywork), Aksel Allik (rolling stock) and others.
After renovation  
It is in plan to apply for the black heritage number plate.


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