The Fiat 666 NM ("Nafta Militare" = Diesel Military) is a good example of the Italian art of automobile engineering. Along with its smaller and better known brother, the 626, it was designed in 1939 at the Fiat works in Turino, Northern Italy.
The 626 and the 666 were the first COE ("cab-over-engine") trucks of FIAT and finally entered the assembly lines in 1940, just in time to participate at Italy's war entry.
Even capable of transporting light tanks of the R.E. ("Regio Esercito"), the Fiat 666 had double the capacity compared to the 626 (6260 kg.), although externally the two trucks were very similar in appearance.
The 666 NM operated on all fronts, from North Africa to Russia with the ill-fated Italian Expeditionary Corps, the "C.S.I.R.".
In general terms it proved powerful, sturdy and reliable, and was called the "alpine truck" due to its climbing capabilities.
The later 4x4 variant 665 NM, originally designed for "Africa Settentrionale Italiana" ("ASI"), never reached the North African sands, though.
After the 8 september 1943 armistice, the remaining Fiat 666 NM came under German control and were considered a welcome war booty.