Itala

Itala was a exotic car manufacturer in Turin, Italy from 1904-1934, started by Matteo Ceirano and five partners in 1903. Their first car won a hill climb, the year after they won the Coppa Florio and the year after that the Targa Florio. In 1907 Itala won the Peking-Paris Marathon by three weeks. These sporting successes helped sales dramatically, the company continued to grow and, at the beginning of WW1, offered a wide range of cars. Unfortunately, due to the war Itala had to build aeroplane engines but at a loss. By about 1925 the company was being run under receivership and after many attempts to revive the company, Itala was closed in 1934.

Matteo Ceirano: Matteo Ceirano (1870 in Cuneo - March 19, 1941 in Torino) was an Italian businessman in the early automobile industry....

Coppa Florio: Coppa Florio was an Italian car race started in 1900, and renamed in 1905 when Vincenzo Florio offered the initial 50 000 Lira and a cup designed by Polak of Paris. The cup was to be offered the manufacturer that wins four or more of the first seven races, the first race held in 1905. Eventually, ...

Targa Florio: The Targa Florio was an open road endurance automobile race held near Palermo, Sicily. The race was created in 1906 by the wealthy pioneer race driver and automobile enthusiast, Vincenzo Florio, who had started the "Coppa Florio" race in Brescia, Lombardy in 1900. Always one of the toughest competit...