Steyr 640 (1937)
6x4 Lorry (1937-41) 3,780 built
The Steyr 640 (1937) was the main 6x4 lorry of the Austrian Army, with a 1.5 ton payload, produced until 1941 to 3,780 vehicles total, mostly for the Wehrmacht after the Anschluss. It was also declined into a field ambulance as the Steyr 643 Krankenwagen (Kfz.31), the Funkwagen, and a 6x4 staff car, Kfz.21 Komandeurwagen. Largely seen as obsolete after 1941 it was repaced in production by the standardized 4x4 lorry Steyr 1500 A/2000 A (type 270) until 1945 which shared the same chassis and many elements with the Type 274 Kubelwagen (c19,000 made combined).
Steyr 640 genesis
The Steyr 640 really was the standard company military lorry, comoing from a short lineage of cross-country mobile lorries to answer Austrian military needs, the first of which was the Steyr 140 (40 D) for the civilian market and its military variant the Steyr 340 produced from 1932 to 1933 and 2t payload. In all, 230 were manufactured that year. Next was the Steyr 440 (40 D), an improved, but lighter version made in 1935-1937 with an 1.5t payload and also used for towing antitank guns. In all, 713 were manufactured over these tow years. The interrruption of 1933-34 was due to the merger of the company and group-wide products reorganization. Steyr focused on military off-road lorries from there.
The came the Steyr 640, produced from 1937 until 1941. Like the 440 it was rated for 1.5t payload. In all, 800 were ordered to be produced over two years, but in March 1938 Germany invaded and a new reorganization redirected production to the Wehrmacht. The manufacuring plant was scaled up for mass production and rate of delivery skyocketed to reach 3,780 in 1941 when it was stopped. Geran authorities praised its reliability and off-road caracteristics, but lambasted the cost and complication of design and construction. Thus, Steyr was redirected to produce simpler road-only lorries.
Indeed in parallel to the Steyr 440, the company also delivered for the civilian market, the Steyr 540 (40 N), and the military cousin, the Steyr 740 delivered from 1936 to 1939 and also capable of from 1.5 to 2 tonnes, the latter on road. The vehicles were very close in design and shared almost everything but the complex all-terrain transmission and drive. In all, a modest 410 were delivered.
The need for even lighter lorries conducted Steyr to manufacture the Steyr 150, and the model 250 as a delivery van (a few made). Only 205 were manufactured from 1938 to 1940 with a 750 kgs payload. German reorganization forced Steyr to produced the standard 1500 A & 2000 A (type 270) from 1941 and until the end of the war. The chassis was reinforce to carry from 1.675 to 2t payload. In all, 18.850 (including the type 274) were manufactured, representing the sold focus of the company.
Design
The Steyr 640 borrowed most of its design and parts to the 540 made in parallel as a road-only lorry. It was a light, albeit heavier due to the complex pff-road drive, but still of conventional layout, with a ladder frame and three axles, one directing forward and two fixed at the rear hence the 6x4 configuration. It had however a low flat bed between the axles, with sloped, tall sides, lowering the center of gravity. Thhe chassis, weighted only 1.76 tons without a body. It was completed with a long forward bonnet caracterized by its radiator grille protected by an extra sloped protection grille in front.
This 2,400-2,886 kg vehicle (light and fully loaded) had an open cab, no doors but a simple chain on which could be strapped tarpauling doors, and a tarpaulin roof as cover fixed on optional folding arches. There was also a single-piece folding upwards windshield for ventilation. There were two wipers above the frame, one rear mirror for the driver, and two main road lights either side of the radiator grille, welded on a transverse bar behind the forward protection grille. It also acted as bumper. At the rear, the open flatbed had fixed wooden frames sides and a folding down back plate. It could be protected from the weather by a tarpaulin setup on four arches, dotted with three plastic windows either side.
Engine and transmission
The type 640 had a payload of 1.5 ton on its rear flatbed and was powered by a Steyr in-house 6-cylinder overhead-valve liquid-cooled with a displacement of 2,260 cc (Bore/Stroke: 73/90 mm) and output of 55 HP at 3800 rev. per minute, for a top speed of 70 km/h, and average range of c600 km on road that could go down when overloaded on rough terrain. The Steyr 540 consumed less, being lighter and with better range overall. The Steyr 640 fuel tank was either 95 L or 45 L depending on sources (latter more likely) for an average consumption of 20-23 l/100 km, even 28 liters off-road. It had a wheelbase of 2500 mm and distance between axles of 1060 mm, front track of 1380 mm and rear track 1400 mm plus a ground clearance 230 mm. The OHV engine was connected to a 4 speeds + 1 back gear manual gearbox, brakes were hydraulic and it had 7,00-18 inches tyres.
One peculiar aspect on some models was the triangular shaped external oil tank located on the right side to feed the engine, procuring easy access, but modified under German production as it was too easy to shoot at. The Germans also added a blakout light on the co-driver position and replaced the standard road light by blackout models. One key aspect was the spare wheels installed between the bonnet and doorsteps of the cab, fixed in place but still able to roll, and procure an additional contact surface on rough terrain.
Variants
In 1940 and 1941 alone, 2,821 units were delivered for the Wehrmacht. Most were built as troop carriers and used for the military and police. Many were also used as fire engines, ambulances, radio trucks, and flatbed trucks. The Steyr 3-axle models were also produced as four-door commander's convertibles (Kommandeurwagen).
Kfz.70 Steyr 640
Light 1.5t payload lorry designation in German service.
Kfz.31 Steyr 643 Krankenwagen "Sankra"
Ambulance version. The rear flatbed was replaced by a lower floor and new all-metal cab with two folwing windows, a two-parts rear doors and folding step, enough space for six stretchers inside an space for a doctor and nurse. There was a utility storage on the roof between barriers that can be strapped in place and protected by a tarpaulin.
Kfz.? Funkwagen
The Steyr 640 Funkwagen a radio car used by the Wehmacht, with essentially a modified version of the Kfz.31 ambulance with wooden panels due to metal scarcity. Searching for more info.
Kkz.21 Kommandeurwagen
Considered as an alternative to the "Kubelwagen" this large staff car kept the excellent off-road qualities of the lorry but with an open cab and new, dedicated body with four doors, seven, seats, three or even four on the rear bunch. The tarp was folded at the rear and there was an utility boot as well. Not to confound with the other, better known Kfz.21 Kommandeurwagen hixh was the VW Typ 82E (Beetle).
Omnibus
Use by the Feuerwehr Strasswalchen (Austrian firemen) with a rear access ladder, telescopic ladder mounted over the roof and steerable roof light projector.
Steyr 640 specs. |
| Dimensions | 5300 x 1730 x 2300 mm |
| Weight, chassis | 1.75t, 2,25t with body |
| Payload | 1.6t |
| Crew | 1 driver, co-driver +8 troops |
| Propulsion | Inline 6 cylinder overhead-valve liquid-cooled 2260 cc, 55 hp/3800 rpm |
| Transmission | Manual 4+1 rv |
| Top speed | 70 km/h on road unladen |
| Fuel consumption | 20-23 l/100 km |
| Suspension | Leaf springs |
| Maximum range (on/off road) | 45 liters, c500 km |
| Production | 3,780 |
The Steyr 640 in action
The Steyr type 640 was to be found quite frequently in use by 2. and 9. Panzer Division until the year 1942. The vehicle was liked by its drivers for its true cross-country mobility and the protective grille in front of the radiator acting almost as extra armour, capable of deflecting bullets that would otherwise hit the radiator grille. But not mechanics that complained of its drivetrain way too complex and finnicky. Production stopped in 1941 but the needs of the eastern front soon pressed its use and spare parts continued to be made to maintain these vehicles. However the rough conditions of the Russian seasonal dirts roads and less than adequate maintenance took their toll. The complex off-road system was difficult to maintain and many vehicles ended worn out and broken down in 1942-43.
The Steyr 640 soldiered on at the rear though. It was still used at camp Wöllersdorf in 1944. Specialized variants were those most appreciated, equipped with German designed enclosed superstructures, notably the Kfz. 31 ambulance (Steyr 643 Krankenwagen) used notably in the Balkans and North Africa (DAK), and the Kfz.21 Kommandeurwagen 6x4 staff car and the Funkwagen. Postwar, extant vehicles were returned to Civilian service in Austria and notably for forestry work and with firefighting brigades as prewar.