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SISPLA (DUGU) FIAT 697 N LOW SIDED TIPPER LORRY
Manufacturer: Sispla ex Dugu
Range: "Macchine Da Lavoro" - work vehicles
Model: Fiat 697 N dumper truck
Reference number: 3
Scale: 1:43rd
Length: overall 160mm wheelbase 105mm
Made in Italy
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 4 by Chris*4, on Flickr
3/4 front view
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 8 by Chris*4, on Flickr
3/4 rear view
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 3 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Side view tipper raised
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 6 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Close-up of cab detailing
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 5 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Close-up of wheel detail
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 7 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Close-up of tipper mechanism
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 2 by Chris*4, on Flickr
On location in North Wales
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 1 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Another on location in Wales shot
BACKGROUND
Dugu was a brand specialising in vintage model cars and was active from 1961 to 1973. The name was changed to Sispla in 1974 before they closed for business in 1975. The visionary behind this range was Bartolomeo Chiodo, a vintage car enthusiast. As a departure from vintage cars Dugu produced promotional commercial vehicles from 1966 starting with a 1:15th scale Same Centauro tractor. A range of 1:43rd scale truck models commenced in 1970 and were released to the public in 1974. Notification of the first truck model issued appeared in the British ‘Scale Models’ magazine July 1974 edition. Reg Miles provides confirmation that this was released under the Dugu brand. An illustration is also included of a Fiat 90 NC tipping truck. In the ‘Scale Models’ July 1976 issue there is an advert from Auto Replicas which states that they are sole distributors of the Dugu range of trucks. The August 1976 issue of ‘Scale Models’ features illustrations of the four types of trucks available including the 697 tipper and Reg Miles still refers to these models as being from Dugu. He also notes that the firm recently went out of business. No mention is made of Sispla but the model featured in this article is marked ‘SISPLA’ on the cab base. However, Dugu’s owl symbol is cast in the base of the engine block as is ‘Made in Italy’. After Sispla collapsed the truck models became part of the fledgling Old Cars range.
THE MODEL
Originally part of the Dugu range this model was designed from the outset as a promotional model to be used by Fiat. Hence this model features detailing not found on contemporary toy trucks. Most notable are the wheel hubs. These are exactly the same as used on the full scale Fiat. Also the tyres are prototypical with Pirelli neatly featuring on the side walls. The cab is die-cast zinc alloy with interior detailing featuring seats and steering wheel in the RHD position. Separate plated plastic door handles are inset into the doors and a similar method is used for the grill. A Fiat badge is also a separate item applied just above the grill area. Surprisingly the chassis is made from plastic and this component includes the front bumper area. On the bumper are the headlights which are another separate item represented in clear plastic. The fuel tank has a plated plastic cap. For the low sided tipper body and for the hinged tail board zinc-alloy is the material selected. Underside details have not been neglected either with neat representations of the suspension system, axles and prop shafts. The tipping action comprises of a plastic component with one end featuring a hook shape and the other an extended arm pivots on a metal bar in a central location on the chassis. One end of this bar is shaped as a handle. Operating this handle releases the hook and the arm raises the tipper body. The action is not as smooth as the ‘hydraulic’ styles found on contemporary toy tippers but is still effective. The model was issued in an all card Fiat promotional box. There are no references to Sispla or Dugu as being the model manufacturer.
THE REAL DEAL
Production of this heavy truck commenced in 1970 until 1980. Firstly under the Fiat Veicoli Industriali brand (the heavyweight division of the Fiat SpA group) then from 1975 by IVECO. However, it was still built in Fiat’s Argentinian plant until 1996. The ‘N’ denotes a 6X4 configuration road legal truck chassis. It was also available as an articulated tractor, an off-road truck and a military 6X6 version. Until 1974 it was produced for the home market in RHD. This was the convention for Italian made heavy trucks at the time as it enabled the driver to see the edge of the road in mountainous regions. Designed from the outset to be a rugged performer in all markets. It’s reliability became legendary and many are still operating in South America, Africa and Asia. Power was provided by Fiat’s famous 8210 6-cylinder engine with a 13.8 litre capacity which had a maximum torque at only 900 r/min.
Cheers Chris
Manufacturer: Sispla ex Dugu
Range: "Macchine Da Lavoro" - work vehicles
Model: Fiat 697 N dumper truck
Reference number: 3
Scale: 1:43rd
Length: overall 160mm wheelbase 105mm
Made in Italy
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 4 by Chris*4, on Flickr
3/4 front view
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 8 by Chris*4, on Flickr
3/4 rear view
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 3 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Side view tipper raised
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 6 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Close-up of cab detailing
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 5 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Close-up of wheel detail
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 7 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Close-up of tipper mechanism
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 2 by Chris*4, on Flickr
On location in North Wales
Sispla Dugu Fiat 697 tipper 1 by Chris*4, on Flickr
Another on location in Wales shot
BACKGROUND
Dugu was a brand specialising in vintage model cars and was active from 1961 to 1973. The name was changed to Sispla in 1974 before they closed for business in 1975. The visionary behind this range was Bartolomeo Chiodo, a vintage car enthusiast. As a departure from vintage cars Dugu produced promotional commercial vehicles from 1966 starting with a 1:15th scale Same Centauro tractor. A range of 1:43rd scale truck models commenced in 1970 and were released to the public in 1974. Notification of the first truck model issued appeared in the British ‘Scale Models’ magazine July 1974 edition. Reg Miles provides confirmation that this was released under the Dugu brand. An illustration is also included of a Fiat 90 NC tipping truck. In the ‘Scale Models’ July 1976 issue there is an advert from Auto Replicas which states that they are sole distributors of the Dugu range of trucks. The August 1976 issue of ‘Scale Models’ features illustrations of the four types of trucks available including the 697 tipper and Reg Miles still refers to these models as being from Dugu. He also notes that the firm recently went out of business. No mention is made of Sispla but the model featured in this article is marked ‘SISPLA’ on the cab base. However, Dugu’s owl symbol is cast in the base of the engine block as is ‘Made in Italy’. After Sispla collapsed the truck models became part of the fledgling Old Cars range.
THE MODEL
Originally part of the Dugu range this model was designed from the outset as a promotional model to be used by Fiat. Hence this model features detailing not found on contemporary toy trucks. Most notable are the wheel hubs. These are exactly the same as used on the full scale Fiat. Also the tyres are prototypical with Pirelli neatly featuring on the side walls. The cab is die-cast zinc alloy with interior detailing featuring seats and steering wheel in the RHD position. Separate plated plastic door handles are inset into the doors and a similar method is used for the grill. A Fiat badge is also a separate item applied just above the grill area. Surprisingly the chassis is made from plastic and this component includes the front bumper area. On the bumper are the headlights which are another separate item represented in clear plastic. The fuel tank has a plated plastic cap. For the low sided tipper body and for the hinged tail board zinc-alloy is the material selected. Underside details have not been neglected either with neat representations of the suspension system, axles and prop shafts. The tipping action comprises of a plastic component with one end featuring a hook shape and the other an extended arm pivots on a metal bar in a central location on the chassis. One end of this bar is shaped as a handle. Operating this handle releases the hook and the arm raises the tipper body. The action is not as smooth as the ‘hydraulic’ styles found on contemporary toy tippers but is still effective. The model was issued in an all card Fiat promotional box. There are no references to Sispla or Dugu as being the model manufacturer.
THE REAL DEAL
Production of this heavy truck commenced in 1970 until 1980. Firstly under the Fiat Veicoli Industriali brand (the heavyweight division of the Fiat SpA group) then from 1975 by IVECO. However, it was still built in Fiat’s Argentinian plant until 1996. The ‘N’ denotes a 6X4 configuration road legal truck chassis. It was also available as an articulated tractor, an off-road truck and a military 6X6 version. Until 1974 it was produced for the home market in RHD. This was the convention for Italian made heavy trucks at the time as it enabled the driver to see the edge of the road in mountainous regions. Designed from the outset to be a rugged performer in all markets. It’s reliability became legendary and many are still operating in South America, Africa and Asia. Power was provided by Fiat’s famous 8210 6-cylinder engine with a 13.8 litre capacity which had a maximum torque at only 900 r/min.
Cheers Chris
