The Sisu M-series is the lorry range that Sisu Auto built from 1969 to 1984. It replaced the KB-112 and KB-117 models and was itself succeeded by the S-series, which arrived in 1980.
Sisu M-series at a glance
| Maker | Sisu Auto, Finland |
|---|---|
| Production | 1969–1984 |
| Predecessor | Sisu KB-112 and KB-117 |
| Successor | Sisu S-series |
| Nickname | niittikoppi, from the riveted cab |
| Engines | Leyland, Rolls-Royce and Cummins diesels |
| Gearbox | unsynchronised Fuller manual, 13 speeds and 2 reverse or 14 speeds and 3 reverse |
| Other uses | Lokomo-Sisu crane trucks |
| Export cabs | right-hand-drive cabs for Dennison Trucks, Northern Ireland |
based on one source
History of the Sisu M-series
A riveted cab
The M-series was introduced in 1969 as the replacement for the KB-112 and KB-117. Its cab was angular and assembled largely with rivets, which gave the range its Finnish nickname niittikoppi, roughly meaning the riveted box. Production lasted until 1984, when the S-series took over.
Mechanical choices
Buyers could have the M-series with Leyland, Rolls-Royce or Cummins diesel engines. The gearbox was an unsynchronised Fuller manual with either 13 forward speeds and two reverse gears, or 14 forward speeds and three reverse gears.
Beyond the lorry range
The M-series cab was not used only on Sisus. It also appeared on Lokomo-Sisu crane trucks. Right-hand-drive versions of the cab were built for export to the Northern Irish lorry maker Dennison Trucks.
Design and features
- Riveted cab: the angular cab was largely riveted together, which gave the range its nickname.
- Engine choice: Leyland, Rolls-Royce and Cummins diesel engines were all available.
- Fuller gearbox: the unsynchronised Fuller manual came with 13 or 14 forward speeds.
- Shared cab: the same cab was used on Lokomo-Sisu crane trucks and supplied to Dennison Trucks.
Sisu M-series versions
- Lorry range: the standard M-series chassis with the buyer’s choice of engine and gearbox.
- Lokomo-Sisu crane trucks: cranes built on M-series cabs.
- Dennison export cabs: right-hand-drive cabs for the Northern Irish manufacturer.
The M-series replaced the KB-112 and KB-117 and was followed by the Sisu S-series. The lighter military lorry of the same period is described in the Sisu A-45 article; more models are in our Sisu collection.
Video: Sisu M-162 Rolls Royce+Fuller roadranger
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Sisu M-sarja, Finnish Wikipedia: production years, engines, gearbox, cab uses and export
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