IMS-57, the first type


During World War II, on the site of a paper plant belonging to Letea company from Campulung-Muscel, the production of plane propellers and shooting equipment for airplanes produced by IAR Brasov was organized. After the production was abandoned, a group of workers begun building the first Romanian motorcycles in 1953. The design(from Russian GAZ type) and production of the first Romanian land vehicle IMS-57 begun in 1957, using the parts that were produced as well as upgrading. The 914 IMS-57 produced had the following characteristics: coachwork with two doors and tarpaulin, 3,260 cc gasoline engine, 50 HP/2,800 rpm, 80 km/h, 24 l/100 km consumption. The construction was handicraft: the equipped chassis in functioning condition were tested on the route Campulung-Colibasi where they were bodyworked, painted and finished in the Pitesti Motor-car Plant. The tin parts were made on wooden lasts.
 
M-59/M-461

Launched two years later, the new type M-59 signified a step forward compared to IMS-57: its engine had 56 HP, a maximum speed enhanced to 90 km/h, the manual wind screen wiper replaced with an electric one. The cars were bodyworked (2 doors, 4 doors or pick-up), painted and finished in Campulung. Simultaneously with a raise in productivity for M-59, from 803 pieces in 1959 to 3,222 pieces in 1963, type M-461 was designed and tested, and preparations for its production begun. The production started in 1964. That showed look and finishing improvements, and a redesigned mechanics. Its engine had four in-line cylinders, 70 HP, a maximum speed of 100 km/h, and a 17 l at 80km/h consumption. The export of that type begun in 1965, to China and Colombia (2,000 pieces). Aro M461 was a performant land vehicle, and it won a series of international competitions: 1970 Forests Rally (Belgium), 1973 Sons of Beaches (Oregon). With improvements in their technology and performances, some 80,233 M461 land vehicles were produced until 1975, from which 46,549 were exported and more were used by Romanian Army.
Click here to visit Aro M461 Owners Club
 
Aro 24
A new land vehicle type from the same class started to be designed after 1966: Aro 240, the first of series 24. The new type started from the beginning with some important and major innovations considering the time when its design was completed. Its coachwork was entirely new, securing a more comfortable inside. That type was the first after the Range Rover automobile to use a curb chassis which allowed better stability. It had a 2,495 cc, 83 HP engine, a maximum speed of 115-120 km/h, a maximum slope of 35°, 13.8 l/100km consumption. During a test organized by Ford-Europe company in 1972, Aro 240 came second after Range Rover, and before Jeep-Willis, Ford or Land Rover.
*At the beginning, the type was designed in two versions: with two doors (240), and with four doors (244) station wagon. From those two versions slightly modified, the models pick-up 242 long or 242 short, 3 doors-hardtop (243) or soft top emerged. The design of pick-up 320 type begun in 1978, and it was assembled at Bus company, Bucharest.
*Following the oil crisis that started in 1973, Diesel engines were increasingly used for land vehicles, worldwide. In cooperation with Tractorul Brasov company, a Romanian diesel engine, D-127, started to be designed. That had 4 cylinders, 3,119 cc, 68 HP, securing a 115 km/h speed, and a 12.3 l/100 km consumption.
*In time, 24 type suffered many face-lifts, its dashboard and front side were reshaped. Aro-24 was exported to many countries, including Canada, UK, Australia and was produced in Portugal(named Portaro) and Spain(named Hisparo). It also won the famous Pharaons Rally Raid. Over 125,000 vehicles from the family Aro-24 were manufactured by the end of the year 1985, from which over 93,000 were exported. After 1989, the 24 series has been rejuvenated, by undertaking import engines (Ford, Peugeot, Daewoo, Toyota), and has been built in different types: with 3 doors (243) or station-wagon (244 called Forester), expanded station-wagon (323 or 246), pickup, platform with shooters (type 335), road tanker, double cab(type 324), pick-up and the luxury type Aro Hunter powered by Cosworth.
 
Aro 10
After five years for the design, tests and preparations for manufacturing, the type Aro 10 (named Dacia 10 in Romania, Aro Trapeurs in France, Aro Ischia in Italy, and Dacia Duster in UK) was launched in 1980. Aro 10 was included in the medium class, with an attractive design. The construction with two doors, metal or tarpaulin covered coachwork was chosen. Both types could be uncovered, with a folding wind screen, Jeep-style. The type showed several common elements with Dacia 1300, and was built in four basic types: 10.0, 10.1, 10.3, 10.4. The engine was taken from Dacia (1,3 l). Starting from 1984, the cars were equiped with the 1,397 cc engine which allowed a maximum speed of 118 km/h. Export begun as early as 1980, and until 1985 some 90% of the production was exported to the following countries: Great Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Greece. For export, imported Diesel engines VW and Pegaso were also used. In 1985, the type 10.8 pickup was also completed (short, very short or double cab).
*In time
, Aro 10 was reshaped, and equipped with a two or four head-lights mask, bull-bar, side bandage, sport wheels, rectangular head-lights. Also, there is and a 4 doors version. A version of Aro 10 soft-top called Spartana is powered by Renault engines, and has 2wd or 4WD.
In 1999 was made a new type - Aro 10 Super - reshaped and with Aro 244 chasis.
 
Prototypes
Aro Scorpion is a prototype made in Italy(in '80es) by ACM brand (pieces from Romania, but assembling in Italy). This car was equipped with Aro chassis (probably from 10 model), diesel VW engine 1600. It's remained as prototype.
Before 1989 Aro factory made a prototype of a 4x4 land vehicle: it was a station wagon or a pickup truck.
After 1989, Aro made a 4x4 SUV (Jeep Cherokee style) prototype. This was not finished yet.
In 1999 was made a new prototype of a 4x4 car and a pickup.
Address: Aro S.A., Traian street, nr. 223, 0425 Campulung Muscel, Arges county, Romania.