Italian Cold War Trucks 101

Italian trucks of the Cold War era, so roughly late 1940s–early 1990s covering military and key civilian models that shaped Italy’s transport and defense sectors: Italy’s truck industry during the Cold War was dominated by a few major manufacturers—FIAT, Lancia, OM, Iveco (after 1975), and Astra—which produced both civilian commercial trucks and specialized military vehicles. Many of these vehicles were exported widely or used within NATO.

Troop transport were typically the Iveco ACM 80 and FIAT 639. The standard artillery towing trucks was from the Astra SM series. There were Radio/command vans generally based on the Iveco 90PC, or an OM chassis. There wee also logistics and supply (FIAT 682, 690, Iveco 330). Vehicle recovery were FIAT and Iveco heavy tractor units and by default of international projections, Italy only used its military trucks for NATO peacekeeping operations (former Yugoslavia, Lebanon).

Major Italian Trucks Manufacturers

FIAT Veicoli Industriali (later part of Iveco).

The largest truck maker in Italy; supplied both civilian transport and military logistics vehicles. Notable Models:

FIAT 626 (WW2 legacy, widely used in early Cold War)

2.5-ton medium-duty truck used by Italian Army into the 1950s.

FIAT 639, 640, 642 (1950s–1960s)

Commercial and military chassis known for reliability and easy servicing. Used for military purposes.

FIAT 682 (1952–1988)

One of Italy’s most iconic trucks. Heavy-duty, widely used across Africa, Middle East, and Europe. Straight-six diesel. Popular for long-haul and construction. Civilan market but usable for military purposes.

FIAT 690/691 (1960s–1970s)

Twin-steer heavy trucks. Used for tank transporters and construction. Civilan market but usable for military purposes.

Iveco (from 1975 onward)

Formed by merging FIAT, OM, Lancia Veicoli Speciali, Magirus-Deutz, and Unic.

Iveco 330 / 330.30 & 330.35 (1970s–1980s)

Heavy-duty military logistics trucks. Often used as dump trucks or tractor units. Became NATO-compatible platforms

Iveco ACM 80/90 (1980s)

Standard Italian Army 4×4 tactical truck. Excellent off-road mobility. Replaced older FIAT tactical trucks

Iveco 90PC/135PC (late 1970s–1980s)

Light–medium tactical vehicles. Also used as troop transports and radar carriers. OM (Officine Meccaniche) Absorbed into Iveco later. Famous for medium-duty civilian trucks. OM trucks were known for durability and high fuel efficiency.

OM Leoncino (“little lion”)

Light truck for city use.

OM Tigrotto

Rural distribution truck

OM Titano

Heavier haulage OM truck.

OM Lupetto

The most iconic light truck of 1960s–70s Italy.

Lancia Veicoli Speciali

Before being absorbed into Iveco, Lancia specialized in military trucks.

Lancia 3Ro

Late production into early Cold War. Heavy-duty diesel. Many remained in service through the 1950s

Lancia Esatau (1950s–1960s)

Medium–heavy truck line. Strong post-war civilian presence. Lancia Esagamma (1960s–early 1970s) High-powered heavy truck. Used for troop and equipment transport. Known for excellent build quality

Astra (Special Heavy-Duty & Military)

A specialist manufacturer of heavy 4×4 / 6×6 / 8×8 off-road trucks for military and construction.

Astra BM Series (1950s–1970s)

BM2, BM18, BM21. Rugged construction trucks later adopted for military engineering roles

Astra Military SM Series (1970s–1980s)

SM 64.30, SM 66.40. Used as artillery tractors and heavy logistics vehicles. Excellent off-road performance

Italian Cars

Below are listed common military staff and tactical 4x4 cars of the Italian Regio Escecito in the cold war. Also Related (Not Italian designs but used by Italy during the Cold War) and adopted under NATO cooperation or license:
• Jeep Willys MB / M38 (1950s): Used by the Italian Army until indigenous vehicles became standardized.
• Land Rover Series I/II for Air Force & Carabinieri (1950s–60s). Small numbers used for airfield patrol, mountain units, and police use.

List

• FIAT AR 51/55 Campagnola1951–70sLight 4×4 carMain early Cold War Italian 4×4
• Alfa Romeo Matta AR 511952–54 Light 4×4 carVery rugged, low production
• FIAT AR 76 / Nuova Campagnola 1974–1990sLight 4×4 Late Cold War standard
• Lancia AR & prototypes 1950s Light 4×4Limited-service reconnaissance cars
• Iveco VM 90 1980s–Light tactical 4×4End-of–Cold War mobility vehicle
• Jeep/Land Rover (used in Italy) 1950s–60s Allied 4×4 cars Stopgap early Cold War vehicle

FIAT Campagnola AR 51/AR 55 (1951–1970s)

Italy’s iconic postwar military 4×4. light utility car, used for main liaison and reconnaissance vehicle of the Italian Army in the 1950s–60s. Steel body, ladder frame, Extremely capable off-road. Widely exported to NATO and Africa. Versions: command car, radio, ambulance, patrol. AR 51 = early model (petrol engine). AR 55 = improved model.

FIAT Campagnola Nuova/AR 76 (1974–1990s)

Successor to the AR 51/55. Coil-sprung 4×4 (influenced by Land Rover design concepts). More powerful engines. Used extensively during the late Cold War. Served in Lebanon, Sinai, and Balkans under UN/NATO. Numerous military variants (radio, police/Carabinieri, command car).

Alfa Romeo “Matta” AR 51/52 (1952–1954)

“Matta” = “Crazy” because of its tough handling. A direct competitor to the FIAT Campagnola. 4×4 light reconnaissance car, extremely rugged, very complex mechanically. Early NATO standardization trials. Excellent performance but too expensive → small production. Used by Army and Carabinieri. AR 51 = military version. AR 52 = civilian variant.

Lancia AR 6/Lancia Fuoristrada Prototypes (1950s)

Less known but historically important. Small production light 4×4 for testing and limited service. Attempt to develop a domestic alternative to FIAT/Alfa designs. Short-lived, but used for liaison and training roles.

Iveco VM 90

Light Tactical 4×4 (1980s–1990s). Although larger than a "car," it is still a light 4×4 tactical vehicle and directly replaced Cold War liaison cars. Used widely toward the end of the Cold War. Cargo, command, radio, ambulance, and protected “Protetto” versions. Became the standard Italian light military vehicle. Used in Somalia, Balkans, Lebanon (post–Cold War too)

AR59/AR76 Light Military Platforms

These late 1970s military-coded versions of the Campagnola and early Iveco-developed light 4×4 platforms. Used by artillery observers, engineers, and signals units. Fitted with radio shelters and light weapons mounts.

Gallery of models

Alfa Romeo 430RE

The commercial Model 430 was widely used in the Army during the World War II as a 4-ton military model 430RE with streamlined all-metal cab over the engine, which received the status of a standardized vehicle of the Italian army, and became the "most beautiful truck of the World War II". 80 horsepower diesel for 66 km/h, 4-speed transmission/2-speed transfer gearbox, hydraulic brakes+ vacuum booster, front independent spring suspension, 24-volt electrical equipment, capacity 16 soldiers and trailer. Produced until 1950, version CP50 (short cabin), CM50 (extended cabin).

FIAT CM52 (1950s)

video extract, from pinterest

The CM52 was a pure 4×4 tactical truck, Medium-duty, Purpose-built for the early postwar Italian Army. It was used for transport, signals, and light artillery towing.

FIAT 6614/6616 (1960s–1970s)

These were armored wheeled vehicles rather than standard trucks, but the chassis family included support trucks. 4×4 armored truck/transport used for internal security and peacekeeping. Often considered in the "military vehicle chassis" family. See the full article.

FIAT 6603 CM (1960s)

6×6 heavy-duty military truck. Designed for towing artillery and hauling equipment. Dedicated military cab and suspension

Lancia 6Ro & 3Ro

Late service into early Cold War. While originally WWII, they remained in Italian Army service through the mid-1950s as military logistics trucks. See the main ww2 article.

Lancia Esatau A/Esatau M

The A (Autocarro) and M (Militare) variants were specifically military. Reinforced frames, simplified bodywork. Used for troop transport and supply columns.

Lancia Esagamma Military Versions (1960s)

Heavy-duty 6×4 military chassis. Used as artillery tractors, recovery vehicles, and specialized cabins. Built only for defense. contracts—not marketed to civilians.

OM Autocarro Militare 4×4 (1950s–1960s)

Dedicated tactical light truck used for infantry mobility and signals roles. Known for simplicity and ruggedness

OM 6600 M (1960s)

6×6 heavy truck built specifically for Army use. Served as a predecessor to Iveco tactical vehicles. Often used as a prime mover or equipment hauler.

Iveco ACM 80 (1980s)

Perhaps the most iconic late-Cold-War Italian military truck. 4×4 tactical truck, standard Italian Army medium truck, High mobility, NATO-standard, cold-weather capable. Used in Lebanon, Balkans, and UN missions

Iveco ACM 90 (1980s–early 1990s)

Updated successor to ACM 80. Better powertrain and off-road performance. Purely a battlefield/logistics vehicle

Iveco VM 90 (1980s)

4×4 light tactical vehicle/truck. Troop carrier, radio van, ambulance, cargo bed versions. Very widely used by all Italian military branches. Also exported.

Astra BM Series

The BM2, BM18 and BM21 were built originally for military engineering units in 4×4 and 6×6 configurations. It ws used for bridging units, construction battalions, and artillery support.

Astra SM series 1970

The Astra SM 62, SM 64 and SM 66 (1970s–1980s) were heavy-duty 6×6 tactical trucks. Designed solely for military and government engineering rolesn, used as tank transporters, recovery variants, and crane carriers.

Astra 8×8 Heavy Tactical Trucks

These late Cold War were introduced at the end of the Cold War, as purely military platforms. Early versions served as heavy equipment transporters.

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WW1 Vehicles

Allied ww2 Vehicles

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Axis Trucks

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Sd.Kfz 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were half-tracks designed just before the war as prime movers, to carry supplies, ammunition, personal, and tow artillery. Many were also converted during the war as armored versions carrying AA FLAK guns (Flakvierling, 37 mm, or the legendary 88 mm Rheinmetall als used as tank hunters), or were converted as nebelwerfer (rocket launching armored vehicles). They were built by Hanomag, Steyr, Mercedes-Benz, Bussing and many other manufacturers until 1945, over 20,000 half-tracks.

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Cold War & Modern Vehicles

Modern Trucks