Produced from 1952 – 1954 for the Italian military, the AR52 Alfa Romeo 1900 M ‘Matta’ ($Auction) was a true spartan-truck that could overcome all obstacles. It had independent suspension, a rigid rear axle, four-wheel drum brakes, and “a torpedo-shaped body that could be covered with a canvas top for all-weather protection.” It weighed just 1,250 kilograms.
You probably noticed the resemblance – the AR52 (standing for ‘Autovettura da Ricognizione,’ or reconnaissance vehicle) boasts a design based on the iconic U.S. Army Willys Jeep – but underneath lie the mechanics of a Land Rover, including a 65-horsepower, 1,900-cubic cm twin-cam engine. The slightly worn-out-looking beauty (we’d leave it the way it is, perfect) you see here is one of only 50 ever made for civilians, it is in off-road-ready condition, and comes with a rear-mounted spade & pickaxe, because you just might need them some day (besides, they raise the truck’s coolness factor). Oh, and the ‘Matta’ stands for “Mad”. [via]
