Žnoprešk Z859
HISTORY
The project AD7B started in 1956 to update the aging postwar Z749. The car was designed to carry to the smallest size all the technological updates developed and tested in the Z1156, mainly the MacPherson struts and the monocoque chassis.
The project also spawned the first official joint venture between MMM (Motori Marini Marlin - Trieste) and Žnoprešk Avtotehnika, because the MMM was intrested in developing a small and cheap sports car but didn’t have the experience nor the money to start from scratch.
The final 3 box design was officially confirmed in the middle of 1958, when it was decided to extend the Z749’s life, placing it below the upcoming Z859. The 3 box will be perceived as more elegant, while the 2 box Z749 will be seen as more spartan.
The car was officially unveiled in the december of the 1959 and the sales started in 1960.
TEHNIKA
The new boxer 4 was developed according to the needs of MMM and Žnoprešk Avtotehnika. The base B4-812Q block was designed in order to be used with the Žnoprešk SOHC 2v cast iron head and the MMM DOHC 2v aluminium head. Because of the joint-venture, the displacement ranged from an unexpected high minimum of 862cc to a maximum of 1250cc. Because of this minimum, the old boxer 4 used in the Z749 was re-stroked to 799cc in order to equip the base version of the Z859.
The luxury trim, the Z859L featured the new engine SOHC, chromed details on the bodywork, better refined interiors, and ‒ for the first time in such a small Žnoprešk ‒ a AM/FM radio.
