1963 - The Aermacchi MB-1 DIESEL

The three-wheeled goods carrier from Italy

1963 Octoberthe Czechoslovak sister company of Autó-Motor, the Svět Motorů published a brochure about the AERMACCHI Macchi MB-1 pickup truck, which may have been topical at the time because the 50% of the company's motorcycle division was purchased in 1960 by the American Harley-Davidson, and the diesel engine version described here has been developed under the aegis of the joint company. The earlier versions were equipped with 750 cc two-cylinder petrol engines.

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The Italian aircraft manufacturer, known as Aeronautica Macchi when it was founded, was founded in 1912 by Giulio Macchi in Varese, with the aim of building Nieuport aircraft under licence from the Italian army at his factory on the shores of Lake Varese. After the Second World War, the company started to produce motorcycles and later specialised in civil and military pilot training aircraft. In July 2003, it was incorporated into the Finmeccanica Group as Alenia Aermacchi.

Below is a translation of the article published in Svět Motorů in 1963, and in the gallery at the end of the post you will find a picture and a transcript of the original article. Enjoy your browsing!

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In Italy, the prevalence of light tricycles is a common phenomenon, which stand out for their exceptional economy and versatility, both in corporate or private transport and in various public services. Among the wide range of models, there are occasionally even more successful designs than the average, such as the Aermacchi three-wheeled diesel with a load capacity of 1500 kg, produced by Aermacchi under licence from Negri.

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The three-wheeled Aermacchi is the first vehicle in this category to be equipped with a diesel engine. Versatility is combined with a wide range of special purpose versions: 1.60X2.50 m open platform with detachable and foldable side rails; 1.50X2.20 m three-sided dump truck with two hydraulic lifters and engine-mounted oil pump, with self-locking platform stand, or with a self-opening rear wall when the platform is folded down (particularly suitable for transporting stones, sand, earth and other bulk materials); but there is also a version with a 12 m long extendable ladder on a swivelling platform, with a load capacity of 100 kg, 65-75º inclination and hydraulic control. A removable metal tipper body with a door and an automatic rear lifting drop is in preparation. Of particular note is the spacious, fully enclosed, two-seater, two-door cab.

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The engine is a four-stroke, two-chamber, opposed-cylinder, forced-air-cooled diesel engine. Bore and stroke ∅ 83×90 mm, total cylinder capacity 973 cm3, compression ratio 18.6, maximum power 18 hp/2650 rpm; injection is by diaphragm pump, Bosch nozzles and oil cooler. The four-speed reverse gearbox is complemented by a reducer (8+2 gears in total). Drive is transmitted by an articulated axle to a rigid rear axle with differential, suspended on longitudinal semi-elliptic springs.

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The chassis consists of a strong central spine, with cross members and stiffeners at the rear supporting the rear axle and body. The front wheel is suspended perpendicular to the swingarm, with a hydraulic shock absorber with coil spring for damping. The service brakes are hydraulic on all three wheels, with a mechanical handbrake on the rear wheels.

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The three-wheeled vehicle has a wheelbase of 2430 mm, rear axle 1240 mm, external dimensions 4000x1600x1700 mm, ground clearance 220 mm, platform height 870 mm above the ground. Unladen weight 1000 kg, load capacity 1500 kg, maximum speed 60 km/h, maximum climb 23%, average fuel consumption 5,8 1/100 km.

In addition to this model, Negri also produced a smaller Aermacchino tricycle of similar construction, with a load capacity of 790 kg, powered by a two-cylinder, air-cooled Fiat 500 overhead cam engine with 18.7 hp/4600 rpm and a four-speed gearbox.