The Alfa Romeo 500 is a 3 tonne class truck, produced by Alfa Romeo from 1937 to 1945. The range included a diesel-powered (
Deutz type F6M 313) version 500RE, petrol version 500B and gas version 500BR.
The 500 was characterized by having an aerodynamic shape, which was improved over the years during production. The 500 model was the last conventional truck produced by Alfa Romeo, after which the company concentrated on producing cabover trucks.
The Alfa Romeo 500 was used by the Royal Italian Army during World War II under the heading of "500 DR." It was used in the campaign in Russia and the armored version was used in the Balkan campaign.
The frame of the model was also used as basis for military buses. The Army version had a top speed of , and was able to exceed a maximum gradient of 27% and had a range of with a full tank (about 100 L).
From 1937 to 1940 Alfa Romeo 500 was also used by the Italian Fire Department as a
fire engine
A fire engine (also known in some places as a fire truck or fire lorry) is a road vehicle (usually a truck) that functions as a firefighting apparatus. The primary purposes of a fire engine include transporting firefighters and water to an i ...
or truck. The 500 was also used by Alfa Romeo and
Scuderia Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari Società per Azioni, S.p.A. () is the racing division of luxury Italian auto manufacturer Ferrari and the racing team that competes in Formula One racing. The team is also known by the nickname "The Prancing Horse", in refere ...
as a racing car transporter for both grand prix racers and Formula 1 cars.
Viberti
Viberti is an Italian manufacturer of trailers and former producer of utility vehicles, buses and mopeds.
History
The company was founded in 1922 to build civilian and military transport vehicles and was a supplier to the Italian armed forces dur ...
and Bergomi made various bus versions using 500 platform as basis.
Alfa Romeo 500 range
* Alfa 500 base, 1937–38, 4x2 truck, diesel engine, manufactured 1.481 units
* Alfa 500 G, gas engine
* Alfa 500 RM, reinforced chassis and gas methane
* Alfa 500 RB, reinforced chassis and petrol engine
* Alfa 500 AL, bus chassis, diesel engine
* Alfa 500 RE, military version manufactured between 1943 and 1944 357 units, petrol engine
Technical specifications
Notes
{{Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo trucks
Vehicles introduced in 1937
Military trucks of Italy