Is there a connection between Ford Trucks and Zis Trucks?

[Jnewboy]

Is there a connection between Ford Trucks and Zis Trucks?

I was looking at the similarities between the Zis Truck used for cargo and rocket launching and the Ford 1931. Very similar front end, is this a coincidence or are they the same and how??

Zis


Ford

[ketelone]

I think Leadhead provided the correct answer in your Blitz v. Ford topic.

[Jnewboy]

I think Leadhead provided the correct answer in your Blitz v. Ford topic.

I get the German/Ford connection but is there also a Russian connection?

[ketelone]

Yes. Ford had built plants in Germany and I believe in the Soviet Union.

[ketelone]

In the late 20's early 30's Ford reached an agreement with the Soviets to build plants in the Soviet Union. At that time the Soviets only had one plant of their own. With the Ford plant the Soviets produced Model A's (the Soviets were licensed to assemble Model A's.) These vehicles produced were called Gatz.... Decades later Mack Trucks (I think it was Mack, perhaps it was IH.) had a plant built in the Soviet Union. Those vehicles then started showing up in areas of the world being used by Soviet clients or our enemies...

[ketelone]

Sorry, GAZ...