Alfa Romeo Matta Explained

Alfa Romeo 1900 M "Matta"
Manufacturer:Alfa Romeo
Production:1952 - 1954
Assembly:Portello, Milan, Italy
Class:4x4 utility truck
Body Style:2-door 4x4
Layout:Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related:Alfa Romeo 1900
Engine:1.9 L I4 (petrol)
Transmission:4-speed manual with low ratio transfer box
Wheelbase:22001NaN1[1]
Length:35201NaN1
Width:15751NaN1
Height:18201NaN1
Weight:12500NaN0 (dry)
Sp:uk

The Alfa Romeo 1900 M (better known by its nickname Alfa Romeo Matta, meaning "mad") is a four-wheel drive utility vehicle produced by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1951 to 1954. Developed on request of the Italian Ministry of Defence, it was made in both military (AR 51) and civilian (AR 52) versions.

History

The AR 51 (Autovettura da Ricognizione, "Reconnaissance Car") was the result of the request of a light reconnaissance vehicle for use on paved, unpaved and mountain roads. A civilian version, the AR 52, was later developed from the military AR 51; several variants were made, adapted for use in agriculture, firefighting, and road maintenance.

The Matta was built from 1952 to 1954, with 2,007 military AR 51s for the Italian Army and 154 civilian AR 52 units produced. In 1954, the Italian army abandoned the AR 51 and switched to the Fiat Campagnola, which was mechanically simpler.

Specifications

The Matta was powered by a 1884 cc twin cam, 8-valve inline-four engine with dry sump lubrication. The cylinder head was aluminium and featured hemispherical combustion chambers, while the engine block was cast iron. Output was 65NaN at 4,400 rpm.

+Technical data 1900 M AR 51 - AR 52[2]
Engine:  4-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted
Displacement:  1884cc
Bore x Stroke:  82.51NaN1 x 881NaN1
Max. Power @ rpm:  651NaN1 @ 4400
Max. Torque @ rpm:  12.5kgm @ 2500
Compression Ratio:  7:1
Fuel system:  1 Solex carburetor 33 PBIC, mechanical fuel pump
Valvetrain:  DOHC, double chain
Cooling:  Water
Gearbox:  4 forward, 1 reverse + dual range
Front suspension:  Independent front suspension with double unequal length wishbones
Rear suspension::  Live rear axle
Brakes:  Hydraulic drum brakes, mechanical handbrake on driveshaft
Body:  Steel body with separate ladder chassis
Track front/rear:  13001NaN1 / 13001NaN1
Wheelbase:  22001NaN1
Length x Width x Height:  35201NaN1 x 15751NaN1 x 18201NaN1
Ground clearance:  20.51NaN1
Max water deep:  701NaN1
Max slope:  120% (50 °)
Weight:  12501NaN1
Top speed:  1051NaN1

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alfa Romeo 1900M Matta3 . alfaworkshop.co.uk . 1 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070817135216/http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_matta.shtml . 17 August 2007 . live.
  2. Web site: 1900 M AR 51 - AR 52 (tipo 1412) . 17 February 2013 . cuorialfisti.com . it.