I’ve been neglecting the classics recently. Here is the original 1956 Monolith lineup.
On March 1st 1956 the Monolith brand was officially launched by IMP to sell their civilian utility vehicles. Originally only light utility vehicles were included, heavy trucks and military vehicles were still sold as IMPs until all non-military vehicles manufactured by the IMP were rebranded to Monoliths in 1978.
As such the 1956 Monolith range was still small, in fact it consisted of only two models.
The first was the familiar old LN-K46 that had been by far IMPs most successful since 1946. Over the years it had received a more functional van body and the engine was replaced by the 40hp B1300L in 1955. Promotional literature did not refer to it as the LN-K46 though, even though it was still that same old chassis derived from a three wheeled utility cart made in the 1930s. Monolith preferred to call it the “Econom” which was technically only a trim level. Aside from the panel van Monolith also offered the “Kombi” people carrier with the regular B1300 from the IMP Teuton. The LN-K46H was quickly replaced by the modern, Teuton based Monolith V-Series in 1958.
LN-K46H Econom: 1.3L OHV Inline 4 [IMP B1300L], 40hp, 95Nm, 928kg (1956-1958)
LN-K46H Kombi: 1.3L OHV Inline 4 [IMP B1300], 45hp, 95Nm, 993kg (1956-1958)
The other truck offered by Monolith was the all-new N-Series. In many ways it was similar to contemporary American Pick-Up trucks, obviously in terms of design but also in the choice of available engines. Three bodystyles were offered, a pick-up denoted with a “P” following the displacement, a panel van denoted by a “K” and a wagon denoted by an “L”.
The standard engine was the still relatively new A3800 engine in truck specification with OHV valvetrain and 120 DIN-hp. Optionally available was a 3.9L Inline 4 two-stroke diesel often confused for a 4-53 Detroit Diesel engine. It actually was completely unrelated to the DD even though many design features were very similar. The reason behind the similarities was the fact that IMP managed to get hold of a few 6-71 engines following WW2, which they first reverse-engineered and then spun-off into a multitude of unique two-stroke diesel engines powering most of IMPs post-war trucks. The 204DWA installed in the N-380 Diesel produced 95hp and 290Nm of torque.
Two standout offerings were the 380LS and 380PA. The 380LS was based on the 380L and had a better appointed interior and the same high compression OHC A3800 as the IMP L6 Super. Some say the 380LS was actually faster due to its four-speed manual gearbox.
The 380PA used the 380P bodyshell but had a heavily strengthened chassis and a 6.6L BT12-A V12 engine good for 203hp and 495Nm. It was specifically designed for safely towing weights a regular pick-up could not handle.
The N-Series sold reasonably well, especially in North America where it became one of the first foreign made trucks to make a lasting impression. It also became famous for the characteristic noise made by the four-cylinder diesel and cemented the reputation of the A-Type engines as an absolutely dependable workhorse with a perfect balance of performance, refinement and durability.
N-380P/K/L: 3.8L OHV Inline 6 [IMP A3800 (OHV)], 120hp, 277Nm, 1488-1571kg (1956-1966)
N-380P/K/L Diesel: 3.9L Uniflow-scavenged two-stroke Diesel [IMP 204DWA], 95hp, 290Nm, 1518-1665kg (1956-1966)
N-380LS: 3.8L OHC Inline 6 [IMP A3800HC (OHC)], 165hp, 305Nm, 1670kg (1956-1962)
N-380PA: 6.6L OHV V12 [IMP BT12-A 6600], 203hp, 495Nm, 1982kg (1956-1963)