SPA CL39 – Photos & Videos

SPA CL39
Country	Italy
Type	Light military truck
Production	1938 – 1944
Built	15000+

The Fiat SPA CL 39 is a light truck designed for moving troops in the mountains. It was the successor to the OM 32-35-36-37 models, the so-called “motorised carts” of 1925 designed to replace horse-drawn carts. Developed on the model of mountain tractors, it was less rustic than the latter, faster and very easy to drive. It was launched in 1938 under the name CLF (Carro Leggero per Fanteria), originally with two different engines, one air-cooled, the other water-cooled. It was the latter that was chosen by the Regio Esercito (the King of Italy’s army), and presented at the Centro Studi Motorizzazione on 13 November 1938.

Source: SPA CL39 on Wikipedia

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The SPA L39 (also known as the Fiat-SPA CL39) was a light military truck developed in Italy during the mid-1930s. Produced by Società Piemontese Automobili (SPA), a subsidiary of Fiat, it was designed specifically for the needs of the Italian armed forces, with a particular focus on maneuverability and a compact size for use in difficult terrain, such as that found in mountain infantry units.

Development and Design

• Role: The SPA L39 was conceived to be a light utility truck, primarily for transporting soldiers and equipment. Its design prioritized off-road capability and reliability over high speed.
• Engine: It was powered by a single Fiat-SPA CLF 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a displacement of 1,628 cm³, which produced a modest 25 to 27 horsepower. This engine was designed for durability and low-speed torque, rather than high performance.
• Drivetrain: The vehicle had a 4×2 (rear-wheel drive) configuration. Despite this, its robust design and short wheelbase gave it good agility for its class. The maximum speed was relatively low, not exceeding 40 km/h.
• Dimensions: With a length of 3.89 meters and a width of 1.52 meters, the L39 was a small vehicle, well-suited for narrow roads and trails. It had a payload capacity of around 1,000 kg.

Operational History

• Production: Production of the SPA L39 began in 1939, and approximately 6,000 units were built. It served the Italian military throughout World War II on all major fronts, including in the Balkans, North Africa, and on the Eastern Front.
• Versatility: Beyond its primary role as a troop and cargo transport, the SPA L39 was also adapted for other uses, including as an artillery tractor for light guns. The Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) also used a number of these trucks.
• German Use: After the Italian Armistice in September 1943, a number of SPA L39s were taken over and used by the German Wehrmacht, who valued them for their simple, robust design.
• Post-War Service: The truck had a remarkably long service life. Some of the last SPA L39s were not retired from the Italian Army until the 1950s.