ITALIAN LIGHT LORRY SPA39

SPA L39 (another designation: SPA CL39 or Fiat-SPA CL39) was an Italian light truck from the interwar period, World War II and the post-war period. The first prototypes of this vehicle appeared in the mid-1930s, and serial production in 1939. In its course, about 6,000 trucks of this type were created. The drive was provided by a single engine SPA CLF with a power of 25-27 HP. The cart was 3.89 meters long and 1.52 meters wide. The maximum speed did not exceed 40 km / h. The SPA L39 truck was developed for the needs of the Italian armed forces, intended primarily for use in mountain infantry units. Therefore, the emphasis in this vehicle was more on maneuverability and small size than on high top speed. The SPA L39 car quickly turned out to be a quite successful design and was also used by the Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica). During its service, the SPA L39 was used primarily for the transport of soldiers and materials, but also as an artillery tractor. He served in the course of World War II - especially during the battles in the Balkans in 1940-1941, but also in North Africa (1940-1943) or on the Eastern Front (1941-1943). A number of these vehicles were taken over by the Wehrmacht after the surrender of Italy in 1943. Interestingly, the last SPA L39 cars were withdrawn from the line in the Italian army only in the 1950s.