OM X-series
{{More citations needed|date=November 2018}}{{Infobox automobile
| image = OM pick-up truck in Avellino.jpg
| name = OM X-series
| manufacturer = Iveco
| assembly = {{ubl | Brescia, Italy (OM/Iveco) | Kragujevac, Yugoslavia (Zastava) }}
| production = {{ubl | 1972-1977 | 1972-1987 (Fiat 35/40 NC) }}
| predecessor = {{ubl | Fiat 645, 650 | OM Lupetto/Leoncino/Daino/Tigretto | Magirus-Deutz Eicher series }}
| successor = {{ubl | Iveco Zeta | Iveco Daily (Fiat 35/40 NC) }}
| aka = {{ubl | Fiat NC | Magirus-Deutz X-series | Unic-OM X-series | Saurer-OM X | Zastava 635/640 | Steyr-OM }}
| class = Light to Medium-duty truck
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| engine = {{ubl | 3455 cc Fiat 8040.02 diesel I4 | 4086 cc Deutz F4L 913 air-cooled diesel I4 | 4561 cc OM CO3/41 diesel I4 | 4949 cc OM CO3/7 diesel I4 | 5184 cc Fiat 8060.04 diesel I6 }}
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The OM X-series is a light to medium-duty truck model produced by the Italian manufacturer OM in 1972. While being superficially similar to the OM Lupetto, Leoncino, Daino, and Tigrotto, it was an all-new design - except for using the same doors as the earlier "zoological" series (thus called as they were all named after animals). The X-series was sold under a variety of other names as well, depending on the market. All but the two lightest models were replaced by the new Z-series in 1976, a design which briefly used OM badging but ended up being marketed exclusively as an Iveco.
Development
Developed by OM, it was offered with a variety of different engines and with many different badges. The smallest versions used Fiat's 8040 four-cylinder diesel engine, and were marketed as Fiats, OMs or Unics in France. Mid-range versions (sold as OM or OM-Saurer) used the larger OM CO3 four-cylinder, developed together with Saurer of Switzerland. The heaviest models received Fiat's six-cylinder 8060 engine and were sold as Fiats or Unics, and also as the OM N100.
OM's versions were named with a two-digit code indicating gross tonnage ranging from the OM 35 to the 100, a system also used by Saurer on the versions they sold. The range was thus from {{convert|3.5|to|10|t|lb|abbr=on}}. Fiat and Unic used the same numerical system followed by NC (for Nafta Cabinato, "diesel cab-over"). Magirus-Deutz sold this range under their brand after 1975 and used their own air-cooled engines for some models (55, 60, 75).{{cite web | url = http://www.zuckerfabrik24.de/fiat/50n1dat.htm | title = FIAT - Transporter und leichte Lkw - 1950 - 1979 (1990) | accessdate = 2015-03-24 | first = Ferdinand M | last = Lanner | language = German | publisher = Zuckerfabrik24.de }} In Austria, this truck was marketed as a Steyr-OM. The X-series was also built by Zastava, beginning in 1978.{{cite web | url = http://www.oocities.org/wilesttdpage/roadvehicles.htm | work = Wile E. Coyote's TTD page | title = Road Vehicles tracking table | accessdate = 2015-03-27 }} Kits for the 35-40 were also sent from Zastava's plant by Iveco for CKD-assembly in Kano, Nigeria, by a company called NTM. These trucks received Fiat badging, as this brand was considered strongest in Nigeria.
The X-series cab was lightly facelifted a few years after its introduction, when the early metal grille was replaced by a black plastic unit with horizontal bars. The interior remained unchanged. "Iveco" badging also became more prominent after that company was founded on 1 January 1975. A more thorough redesign, with a new, more square cab, appeared in late 1976 and was called the OM Z-series. This replaced the earlier X lineup by 1977, although the Fiat 35/40 NC remained on sale until 1987 with the earlier cabin and it was built by Zastava in Yugoslavia into the early eighties.
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{{gallery | width = 200 | height = 145
|File:Fiat 40 NC.JPG|Fiat 40 NC, facelift model with plastic grille.
|File:OM 40 truck.jpg|OM 40 moving truck
}}
References
{{Commons category|OM X-series}} {{commons category|Fiat 40 NC}}
{{reflist}}
{{Iveco}}