Alfa Romeo 800
Built: 1940-1947 · Series: Other models
More machines from model year 1940
Alfa Romeo Matta – light off-road vehicle of the Italian armed forces, built 1952 to 1954, with a water-cooled engine for field and liaison duty
Alfa Romeo is an Italian car manufacturer based in the Milan area. The Matta was developed in the early 1950s as a light off-road vehicle for the Italian armed forces and was built between 1952 and 1954. Vehicles of this class took on liaison duty, personnel transport across rough terrain and the towing of light trailers within post-war armed forces; a compact, mostly open body kept weight and footprint small.
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The Matta's engine is water-cooled. Water cooling keeps operating temperature more even under changing load and little airflow than air cooling does, which is an advantage in off-road use with frequent stopping and starting, but it brings extra components such as a radiator, water pump and hose connections that must be maintained and kept leak-free compared with an air-cooled layout.
The Matta belongs to the class of light, off-road multi-purpose vehicles that armed forces used for reconnaissance, courier runs and moving small loads away from paved roads. Present-day civilian vehicle classes and driving-licence rules cannot be applied to a military vehicle of this build period.
When inspecting a Matta, the condition of the cooling system matters most: after decades, the radiator, water pump and hose connections are the parts most exposed to corrosion and leaks. Add to that rust in the frame and floor pans after long storage, the condition of the axles, steering and brake linkage, and the completeness of the original military equipment, which is often added back later on restored vehicles. Spare parts can practically only be sourced through specialised collectors and military-vehicle clubs; no manufacturer parts network exists for this model.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells Matta, Alfa Romeo
Technical data
Engine
| Engine | 8, 725 cc 108 hp kW 0 6-cylinder dieselcorrect |
|---|
Drivetrain and chassis
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual gearboxcorrect |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
When was the Alfa Romeo 800 built?
Production years: 1940-1947.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 2 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikipedia (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Fire appliance in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
