Heir to the Tradition Fiat off-road
With
this vehicle Iveco back on the road half that defined an era , " the
go-anywhere that does not need a road" as an advertising slogan in 1951,
the year of the launch of the Fiat Campagnola .
It
is still fresh memory of the legendary light military vehicles used in
the conflict : the Willys proved themselves an ideal means of support
and reconnaissance . Inspired by this formula , the Italian government ran a competition vehicles for special applications. The history of Campagnola , an icon of Fiat off-road , is linked, in the postwar period, with that of the 'twin' Alfa Romeo . Fiat
and Alfa separately designed two analogous models , named in military
terms AR 51 (the acronym indicates Reconnaissance Vehicles , the number
refers to the year of 1951) , both with 1900 cm3 engines . For
civilian use , Fiat chose the less aggressive name of Campagnola and
its Milanese 'rival' was called Matta ( like the joker card ) . Only the Campagnola met with extraordinary success , while the Alfa 4x4 was produced until 1955 with only 2059 units . The
decisive factor in determining the preference for the Fiat model the
price , the Alfa much more expensive technology , inaccessible to public
bodies .
La
Campagnola D , designed by Dante Giacosa and built according to the
scheme Willys , debuted at the Fiera del Levante in Bari in 1951 , price
1,600,000 lire. It has front-engine , 4 wheel drive, front suspension and a transfer box . In
November 1951 it crossed Africa - from Cape Town to Algiers - in 11
days , 4 hours and 54 minutes, overcoming every possible adversity and
setting a world record .
The
Campagnola, gasoline , has an output of 53 hp at 5,300 rpm / minute,
4-speed gearbox and reverse transmission, ( II , III and IV
synchronized) , lockable rear differential , central gearshift lever ,
reaches 100 km / h .
A
gradeability of 90% (in first gear ) and consumed an average of 12.1
liters per 100 kms The body is 3.64 meters long and 1.48 wide , the
vehicle weighs 1250 kg . Independent
front suspension with wishbones , helical springs , hydraulic shock
absorbers and stabilizer bar , rear live axle , leaf springs and
hydraulic shock absorbers. In short, the best you could get at that time. The AR 51 military version was also adopted by the Carabinieri.
In '53 appears the diesel version ( still 1.9) 40 hp at 3200 rev / min (85 km / h , price of 1,792,000 lire ) . In
1955 came the Campagnola A ( AR 55 ) , with a petrol engine boosted to
63 hp (116 km / h) and the Diesel 43 hp , in 1960 the Campagnola B with
47hp diesel engine , reaching 95 km / h . The Fiat off-road can carry 6 people with more than 60 kg of luggage, or 1 person with 410 kg of luggage. In '68 it was the turn of the C Diesel : a 1895cc , 47 hp at 3800 rev / min , 96 km / h . The production of the first Campagnola ceased in 1973 , after 39,086 models , of which 7,783 Diesel .
In the summer of 1974 saw the debut of the new Campagnola , manufactured until 1979 . Of Much more technically advanced it was also more comfortable : it can carry up to 7 people. It was launched at the Belgrade and retained only the name . It is a modern vehicle with engines already proven on the Fiat 132 , four-wheel independent suspension and automotive bodywork .
Optional
features included locking differentials on both axles and tires ,
dual-joint front axle , rear seats and a ventilation system .
The
engine is a 4 cylinder inline of 1,995 cm3 with a power of 80 hp at
4,600 rpm / minute, 4-speed gearbox + reverse transmission, ( fully
synchronized) , central gearshift lever and a top speed of 115 km / h .
The new Campagnola was 3.77m long and 1.58 wide and weighed 1,570 kg when empty . Costa 4,076,000 lire.
The version ' Torpedo Corta' roof and sides in removable fabric .
Born in the '76 'Lunga' ( rear overhang increased by 25 cm) and ' Hardtop' ( with completely metallic bodywork ) .
In
autumn 1979 Fiat replaced the engine of the new Campagnola with a
diesel engine more suited for off-road : the 2-liter Sofim 60hp at 4,200
rev / min and provides a top speed of 120 km / h . Numerous enhancements to its bodywork and interior . List Price ranged from 14,018,000 to 15,198,000 pounds, depending on the version . The production of Campagnola ceased in 1987.
La
Campagnola held particular significance for Italy after the war and the
reconstruction of the 50s , a medium that has marked an era in a
country still lacking an adequate road infrastructure and is still alive
in the memories of Italians. Used
by the Carabinieri , the Army and the Civil Defence , has become famous
as the Popemobile, the discovery in white livery with the insignia of
the Vatican. That
used by Benedict XVI in the first official release in the crowd St.
Peter's Square is the same that was given to John Paul II during his
visit to Turin in 1980 and accompanied the public appearances of Karol
Wojtyla , who ushered in , thanks to this vehicle , a new way of communicating with people . Also
in white , but with the UN logo , the Campagnola has participated in
numerous international peacekeeping missions in all continents.