1907 Itala 100 HP

The Turin, Italy-based Itala Company was founded by Matteo Ceirano, Guido Bigio, and four partners in 1903, and remained in production through 1934. When the company entered receivership in 1924, Giulio Cesare Cappa from Fiat was appointed general manager. Under his leadership, the 7-cylinder alloy engined Tipo 61 was produced and it was well received, helping to revive sales. In 1929, the company was acquired by truck maker Officine Metallurgiche di Tortona, and automobile production continued through 1935 in limited capacities. Itala and its remains were then sold to Fiat.

During the company's inaugural year of production, three models were offered - an 18 hp, a 24 hp, and a 50 hp. Larger-engined racing cars followed in 1905 with displacement sizes of 14.8 liters. They won the Coppa Florio in 1905 and the Targa Florio in 1906. Count Scipione Borghese, 10th Prince of Sulmona, drove a 7,433cc (453.6 cubic-inch) 35/45 hp model in 1907 to victory in the Peking to Paris motor race. This event was organized by a French newspaper, with competitors entered by Itala, Spyker, a pair of DeDion-Boutons, and a Contel Tricycle. The race began in June of 1907, and the Itala rapidly out-distanced its competitors, reaching Paris exactly two months after traveling 10,000 miles over roads, which were primitive at best, and non-existent at worst.

Racing improves the breed and helps promote the product, prompting Itala to construct a race car for the 1908 French Grand Prix. Racing regulations dictated a minimum weight of 1,100 kg and a maximum engine bore size of 155 mm. Alberto Balocco designed a four-cylinder engine complying with this rule, with a bore of 154.8 mm and a stroke of 160 mm, for an overall displacement size of just over 12 liters. The cylinders were iron-cast in pairs, and it used a single later camshaft actuating the side-mounted exhaust valves directly.

The engine and four-speed gearbox were installed in a steel ladder frame and powered the rear wheels via chain drive. The axles (live axle at the rear) were suspended by semi-elliptic leaf springs and friction dampers, with drum brakes fitted to the rear axle.

Three red-painted Itala vehicles contested the 1908 French Grand, and although they wore minimalistic bodywork, they were underpowered and too heavy to contest the race. In the end, the Itala's finished 11th and 20th, with the third car retiring prematurely.

After the race, the Italas competed in the American Grand Prix and the Coppa Florio, where Alessandro Cagno finished a respectable third place.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2023