Itala 100 HP – 1908

Itala 100 HP - 1908


Itala 100 HP Grand Prix – 1908


Marca : Itala
Modello : 100 HP
Versione : Grand Pris
Anno : 1908
Telaio N. : 871
Motore N. : 871
Esemplari prodotti : 3
Carrozzeria : W.Vincent
Motore : 4 cilindri in linea
Cilindrata : 12.045 cc
Distribuzione : T-Head
Valvole Cilindro : 2
Alimentazione : Carb.
Potenza : 100 bhp
Top speed Km/h : —


Auction Result
2012 – Goodwood – Bonhams – £ 1,737,500


Itala 100 HP - 1908

The Itala company was founded in 1904 by Matteo Ceirano and Guido Bigio with backing from a Genoese financial group. Initially it mimicked trendsetting Mercedes designs, featuring advanced shaft – rather than chain – drive to a live rear axle.

Matteo Ceirano was keen upon promoting his marque's prowess through competition. ‘Floretta' offered here was one of only three 1908 Grand Prix cars custom-designed under the direction of Alberto Balloco, chief engineer 1905-1919. In 1906 works driver Alessandro Cagno won the first Targa Florio in Sicily with a 7.4-litre 35/45hp model, while sister Italas finished second, fourth and fifth. Prince Scipione Borghese then chose the same Itala model to achieve his now legendary victory in the 1907 Peking-to-Paris epic.

Itala 100 HP - 1908

But the French Grand Prix, more properly the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France, was by far the most important race of that era. Just after the 1907 event, an International Conference in Ostend discussed a new ‘Formula' – or set of technical racing regulations – for 1908. With racing rules varying between nations, manufacturers had to construct different cars for each one.

Against this background, for 1908 a unified racing Formula was agreed. Minimum weight was to be 1,100kg – 2,425lbs – while engine bore diameter was fixed at a maximum 155mm for 4-cylinder engines and 127mm for 6-cylinder units. The Automobile Club de France further announced that in 1908 its Grand Prix would be run over the same Seine Inferieur circuit outside Dieppe as in 1907 (when Felice Nazzaro and FIAT had won for Italy).

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908

 

Itala 100 HP - 1908


 

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