Sisu KB-124
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sisu KB-124 and KB-121 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Oy Suomen Autoteollisuus Ab |
| Also called | Nalle-Sisu |
| Production | |
| Assembly | Karis, Finland |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | 4×2 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Sisu petrol and Ford diesel engines 52.2–62.7 kW (70.0–84.1 hp) → table |
| Transmission | 4+1 manual; 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears with synchromesh[4][5] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,500–4,000 mm (98.4–157.5 in) → table |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Sisu KB-24 |
Sisu KB-124 was a two-axle lorry and special vehicle chassis made by the Finnish heavy vehicle manufacturer Suomen Autoteollisuus (SAT). It was a six-tonne delivery lorry which was developed to follow the KB-24. The KB-124 was produced from 1961 until 1968, when it was replaced by the similar KB-121 with increased permitted load. Production ceased in about 1972.
The marketing name for the vehicle was Nalle-Sisu, "Teddy-Bear-Sisu". In addition to lorries, the chassis was bodied as fire engines, mobile shops and small buses by coachbuilders.
The old-fashioned looking cabin of the KB-24 was modernised in the KB-124 and made more spacious to make it competitive with the Volvo Snabbe. As a drawback, the vehicle lost a part of its key strength, agility. The new Nalle could not be driven through some of the tightest curves, which the KB-24 still could handle.[6]
The total weight of the truck was increased by 300 kilograms (660 lb) to 6,300 kilograms (13,900 lb) and the model name was changed from KB-124 to KB-121[2] in 1968,[1] after recommendation from the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.[2]
Production
The main customers were Finnish government institutions. At the beginning of November 1968 the State Council approved an order of 50–60 Nalle-Sisus, of which 34 units were for Post and Telegraph Administration, 15 for the State Railways, and few units were for other public institutions. Initially the State Railways had suggested purchasing Fargo FK 500 lorries instead because their unit price was just 16 200 marks, instead of Sisu's 20 612 marks. However, the domestic origin weighed in favour of Sisus.[2]
Selecting the domestic option was not self-evident. At the time, there were many news articles for and against the domestic options. In 1971 the state chose buying 53 Fargos for a total of 1.2 million marks; the minister of transport, Kalervo Haapasalo, commented that the domestic vehicle production was "small-time business".[2]
SAT tried to end the Nalle production several times, but each time some government institution decided to order a series of a few dozen units, which the company then produced.[2]

