The OM Lupetto filled the gap between the Cerbiatto and the Leoncino. Launched in 1959, it was the middle child of OM’s zoological family and was built in the 25 and 30 versions before the numeric series replaced it.
OM Lupetto at a glance
| Maker | Officine Meccaniche (OM), Brescia |
|---|---|
| Production | 1959–1968 |
| Payload | 20 quintals at launch, 3 tonnes later |
| Gross weight | 4.9 or 5.6 tonnes |
| First engine | air-cooled diesel, Saurer licence |
| Later engine | 4,397 cc diesel, 85 CV |
| Last engine | 4,561 cc diesel, 92 CV |
| Gearbox | five speeds |
| Versions | Lupetto 25 and Lupetto 30 |
| Replaced by | OM 50 and OM 55 |
The English Wikipedia has no article on the Lupetto; this page is based on the Italian article, the only source used.
History of the OM Lupetto
The Lupetto was launched in 1959 with a 20-quintal payload to broaden OM’s range of light trucks, which then consisted of the Leoncino at 34 quintals and the Tigrotto at 50. The first series used the Leoncino’s cab but an air-cooled diesel built under Saurer licence, and right-hand drive was available on request. Bodies included a fixed-sided truck, an integral van and bare chassis for specialist coachwork.
In 1962 the whole range received a new cab with a one-piece windscreen, and in 1963 the smaller Cerbiatto appeared, prompting another cab revision with low wipers, front-hinged doors and new axles. In 1965 the grille was restyled with the model name written out in full, the engine became the water-cooled unit shared with the rest of the range (air cooling remaining optional for a short while) and the cab gained a third seat. The Lupetto 25 and Lupetto 30 differed by 500 kg of payload.
The last update came in 1967, with the gear lever moved from the steering column to the floor, a new steering wheel, simplified side repeaters and new rear lights. The Lupetto was a little smaller than the Leoncino; in the zoological family it sat after the Cerbiatto and before the Leoncino, with gross weights of 4.9 or 5.6 tonnes and a three-tonne payload. It was replaced by the OM 50 and OM 55.
School buses and other bodies
The Lupetto was not offered as an urban minibus, but it was one of the most common school buses in Italy, mostly bodied by Borsani of Cornaredo and later by Ruggeri. It was also sold as a chassis for fixed bodies and integral vans. Its engine was a 4,397 cc direct-injection diesel of 85 CV, later replaced by a 4,561 cc unit of 92 CV, with a five-speed gearbox.
Design and features
- Air-cooled start: the first series used a Saurer-derived air-cooled diesel.
- Two payloads: the Lupetto 25 and 30 differed by 500 kg.
- School bus favourite: Borsani and Ruggeri built many passenger bodies.
- Shared cab: the same cab as the Leoncino and the rest of the family.
OM Lupetto versions
- First series (1959): 20-quintal payload and air-cooled engine.
- Lupetto 25: the standard three-tonne version from 1965.
- Lupetto 30: 500 kg more payload.
- School bus: Borsani and Ruggeri passenger bodies.
- Integral van: factory-built panel van.
The Lupetto sat between the OM Cerbiatto and the OM Leoncino; its successors, the OM 50 and 55, belong to the numeric series. More vehicles are in the OM collection.
Sources
- OM Lupetto, Italian Wikipedia: history, versions, engines, bodies
