Iveco Zeta
| Iveco Zeta | |
|---|---|
OM Z-series
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Iveco |
| Also called |
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| Production | 1977-1991 1977-2009 by Zastava |
| Assembly | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light to Medium-duty truck |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | OM X-series |
| Successor |
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The Iveco Zeta was a light to medium-duty truck model produced by the Italian manufacturer Iveco. Appearing in 1976 and entering production in 1977, it continued the lineage begun the OM Lupetto, which was introduced in 1959. The Lupetto, as well as the Leoncino, the Daino, and the Tigrotto, were all replaced by the OM X-series in 1972, which then formed the basis for the Zeta range. The Zeta itself was replaced by the all-new Iveco Eurocargo in 1991.
It was originally sold with either Fiat or OM badging, with a number indicating the gross tonnage (OM 50-100). The range was thus from 5 to 10 t (11,000 to 22,000 lb). It was essentially just a restyling of the earlier S-series. In France it was marketed by Unic (part of Fiat since 1966 and merged with Iveco in 1975), in Germany as a Magirus-Deutz (with air-cooled Deutz engines), and in Switzerland as a Saurer-OM, also available with a Saurer engine. The range then gradually began using the unified Iveco name in 1979. This process was finished by 1982. After Iveco took over Ford's European truck operations in 1986, the Zeta appeared with combined Ford and Iveco badging in the United Kingdom. Even after the Iveco nameplate gained prominency (center grille), secondary "Fiat" or "Magirus" or other badging still appeared in the bottom left corner of the grille, depending on the market.
The Zeta was issued in a myriad configurations, as it had to replace a variety of existing truck lines from several different producers. Originally three different engines and four different wheelbases were offered. Single or double cabins as well as a number of van models with an available raised roof were available. A tilting cab was offered on the 7.9 ton "79" and was standard on heavier models. The range received a light facelift and moodel shuffle in 1979. Later more engines were added, as well as models which were tailored to suit various local markets. Iveco's naming system during the Zeta's production consisted of two sets of numbers divided by a period: the first digits reflected the gross vehicle weight (GVW) in hundreds of kilograms, while the second set reflected the power in tens of horsepower. Thus, a five-tonner with the 100 PS (75 kW) engine carries 50.10 badging.
Versions with the 4.1 L; 249.3 cu in 87 PS (64 kW) air-cooled Deutz F4L913 engine were called 90D or 90M, with the GVW (in tonnes) following - the range reaching from the 90D5,2 to the 90M7,9. "D" or "M" refers to the cab - in most cases, Ulm-developed designs carried a D while external designs such as the Club of Four carry an M. It is unknown why both letters were used concurrently on the Zeta cab. In 1983, the Deutz-engined models were discontinued.
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