Wikipedia

Isotta Fraschini

(Redirected from Isotta Fraschini Motori)

Isotta Fraschini (Italian pronunciation: [iˈzɔtta fraˈskiːni]) is an Italian luxury car manufacturer and industrial engineering firm. It was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1900 by Cesare Isotta and the brothers Vincenzo, Antonio, and Oreste Fraschini. In 1955, it was merged with engine manufacturer Breda Motori and renamed F.A. Isotta Fraschini e Motori Breda.

Isotta Fraschini
Founded27 January 1900; 126 years ago (1900-01-27) in Milan, Italy
Founder
  • Cesare Isotta
  • Vincenzo Fraschini
  • Oreste Fraschini
  • Antonio Fraschini
Headquarters
Bari
,
Italy
Products
OwnerFincantieri
Websitewww.isottafraschini.com
Footnotes
Original firm ceased production in 1949

Two entities currently operate the Isotta Fraschini brand continuing the lineage of the original firm; Isotta Fraschini Motori S.p.A., a continuation of the firm's production line of industrial engines and engineering services under the ownership of Fincantieri, and Isotta Fraschini Milano Fabbrica Automobili s.r.l., a recent revival of the automotive and motorsport marque producing high-end sports cars and race cars.

History

edit

Original firm

edit
Ray Gilhooley's 1914 Isotta Fraschini Tipo IM on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

The firm was named for its founders, Cesare Isotta and Vincenzo Fraschini, who had been importing Mors and Renault automobiles as well as Aster proprietary engines since 1899.[1] The company they founded as Società Milanese Automobili Isotta, Fraschini & C. on 27 January 1900 had the stated purpose to "Import, sell, repair cars". Prior to establishing their own products in 1904, Isotta and Fraschini assembled cars very similar to Renaults, with Aster engines. They differed from the real Renaults in having a neater underslung front radiator arrangement.[2]

The first automobile bearing the Isotta Fraschini marque featured a four-cylinder engine producing 24 horsepower (18 kW). The car, driven by Vincenzo Fraschini, appeared in several races. In 1905, Isotta Fraschini gained notoriety at the Coppa Florio, where they entered a Tipo D with a 17.2-litre (1,050 cu in) engine producing 100 horsepower (75 kW). For a short time in 1907, Isotta Fraschini merged with the French automobile company Lorraine-Dietrich. The firm started making race cars using the engine, helping establish the company's reputation. It was also one of the first companies to successfully market cars with four-wheel brakes, following their invention by Arrol-Johnston of Scotland in 1909.[3] In 1911, 300 automobiles were produced, and in 1912, 475 vehicles were produced.[4] They were also among the earliest pioneers of the overhead cam with an engine designed by Giustino Cattaneo.[5] Isotta Fraschini introduced their Tipo 8, the first production automobile to be powered by a straight-eight engine, at the Paris Salon in 1919 and began delivering them to customers in 1920.[6][7]

With the growth of the wealthy middle class in North America in the 1920s, Isotta Fraschini marketed ultra-luxury deluxe limousines to the new American aristocracy. Early film stars, such as Clara Bow and Rudolph Valentino, drove Isotta Fraschinis.[8] The brand also became prominent in literature and media, with various Isotta Fraschini models making numerous appearances in novels and movies including Tender is the Night (1933), Farewell, My Lovely (1940), Death Takes a Holiday (1934), Murder, My Sweet (1944), Without Reservations (1946), and Sunset Boulevard (1950).[9]

The Isotta Fraschini Delta RC131, an aircraft engine used during World War II.

In the 1930s, Isotta Fraschini struggled to maintain vehicle production, becoming affected by the Great Depression and the effects of World War II.[10] The company's last model, the Tipo 8C Monterosa, was reported to have had a production total between three to six cars.[11] Isotta Fraschini was able to continue their production of aircraft engines, however they later ceased production, and the original firm entered liquidation in 1949.[12]

Contemporary

edit

Revival of the automobile brand

edit

In the late 1990s, Italian entrepreneur Giuliano Malvino attempted to revive the Isotta Fraschini marque in the car industry. Two concept cars were developed under Malvino's new firm, the Isotta Fraschini T8 and T12, designed by American designer Tom Tjaarda. Neither car made it out of the prototype phase, and Malvino's firm fell into bankruptcy in 1999.[13]

The No. 11 Tipo 6 LMH-C at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps during the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Three decades after Malvino's efforts to resurrect the Isotta Fraschini name in the car industry, a second attempt was made and later fully established in 2022 as Isotta Fraschini Milano Fabbrica Automobili s.r.l. in Milan, Italy, led by former rally drivers Alessandro Fassina and Enzo Panacci, former Lotus executive Claudio Berro, and Michelotto Engineering [it] founder and engineer Giuliano Michelotto.[14][15] The new group confirmed plans to enter a Le Mans Hypercar into the FIA World Endurance Championship, and numerous technical partners would be confirmed as being a part of the project, including Michelotto's company Michelotto Engineering [it], Williams Advanced Engineering, HWA Team, ARS Technologies, and Xtrac Limited.[16][17] The Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH Competizione was unveiled in March 2023,[18] and was set to be raced in the series by Vector Sport, however, they were later replaced by Duqueine Team, as the former dropped out due to alleged contract breaches by Isotta Fraschini, who in turn cited "economic factors" for the split.[19][20] Originally set to race in 2023, its debut was pushed back to 2024.[21][22] A track day version of the car, the Tipo 6 LMH Pista, was presented at Paul Ricard, and completed laps with the GT1 Sports Club session as part of the 1000 km of Paul Ricard weekend.[23]

Carl Bennett, Antonio Serravalle, and 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans Pro-Am winner Jean-Karl Vernay completed the lineup.[24] The brand competed in five races in its only season in the FIA World Endurance Championship, finishing three before withdrawing from the series prior to the 2024 Lone Star Le Mans due to internal disputes with Duqueine. Its highest finish was at Le Mans, placing fourteenth, and scored no points during the season.[25][26] Two years later, Isotta Fraschini entered a partnership with High Class Racing, with the aim of entering the car in the 2026–27 Asian Le Mans Series and a potential return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[27]

Industrial engine manufacturing

edit

Following the original firm's liquidation in 1949, the company name remained on the registry, and in 1955, it was revived, merging with engine manufacturer Breda Motori and subsequently named F.A. Isotta Fraschini e Motori Breda.[12] The company resumed production of trolley buses and built a new diesel engine factory in Bari, Italy in the 1960s. In the 1980s, the company was renamed Isotta Fraschini Motori S.p.A. and became part of the Fincantieri group, with its administrative headquarters in Bari. The company continues to develop industrial engines, and has recently become involved in fuel cell development and testing.[28]

Racing record

edit

24 Hours of Le Mans results

edit
Year Entrant No. Car Drivers Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2024 Italy Isotta Fraschini 11 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH-C Thailand Carl Bennett
Canada Antonio Serravalle
France Jean-Karl Vernay		 Hypercar 302 14th 14th

Aero-engines

edit

Vehicles

edit

Passenger cars

edit

Racing cars

edit

Trucks/buses

edit
  • D80 1934–1955
  • D65 1940–1955

Trolleybuses

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ↑ Nicholson, Tim (May 1971), Isotta-Fraschini: the noble pride of Italy, New York, NY: Ballantine Books Inc., p. 18, ISBN 0-345-02289-0
  2. ↑ Nicholson, p. 19
  3. ↑ Georgano, G. N. Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930. (London: Grange-Universal, 1985)
  4. ↑ "Isotta Fraschini production 1911 and 1912". Development of motor-vehicle trade abroad. Supplementary to Foreign markets for motor vehicles (Special consular reports, no. 53. v.59:1(1913). 1 January 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  5. ↑ Georgano. They were joined by Austro-Daimler's Prinz Heinrich, designed by Ferdinand Porsche, W. O. Bentley (in 1919), and Sunbeam (between 1921 and 1923).
  6. ↑ Posthumus, Cyril (1977) [1977]. "War and Peace". The story of Veteran & Vintage Cars. John Wood, illustrator (Phoebus 1977 ed.). London: Hamlyn / Phoebus. p. 70. ISBN 0-600-39155-8.
  7. ↑ Daniels, Jeff (2002). Driving Force: The Evolution of the Car Engine. Haynes Publishing. p. 48. ISBN 1-85960-877-9.
  8. ↑ Stroppiana, Paola (4 June 2026). "Da Hollywood a Torino: la storia incredibile dell'Isotta Fraschini di «Sunset Boulevard», fu l'ultima auto di Gabriele d'Annunzio e la preferita di Rodolfo Valentino". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "ISOTTA FRASCHINI mod. 8 A". museoauto.it. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "The Forgotten Luxury Car". Forbes. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  11. ↑ HowStuffWorks: Precursor to the 1947-1948 Isotta Fraschini 8C Monterosa | HowStuffWorks, accessdate: 19. July 2018
  12. 1 2 "Company". Isotta Fraschini Motori S.p.A. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Isotta Fraschini: the historic brand that is now reborn in the WEC". Actualidad Motor. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Goodwin, Graham (19 May 2022). "Isotta Fraschini Studying Hypercar Programme". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Who are the key people in the Isotta Fraschini Hypercar project?". Endurance Info. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  16. ↑ Goodwin, Graham (19 December 2022). "Isotta Fraschini, Pushing Hard For HyperCar In 2023, Partner Team Decision Imminent". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  17. ↑ Goodwin, Graham (21 October 2022). "Isotta Fraschini Aiming For Spa WEC Debut In 2023". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  18. ↑ Watkins, Gary (2 March 2023). "Isotta Fraschini reveals new Hypercar with aim of 2023 WEC debut". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Vector Sport Partner With Isotta Fraschini For Factory Hypercar WEC Entry | dailysportscar.com". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Euwema, Davey (27 November 2023). "Isotta Fraschini to Partner With Duqueine for Debut Season". Sportscar365. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  21. ↑ Watkins, Gary (5 May 2023). "Planned debut for Isotta Hypercar postponed to Bahrain WEC round". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  22. ↑ Kilbey, Stephen (13 February 2024). "WEC Entry For Qatar Season Opener Revealed". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  23. ↑ "The Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH Pista at Paul Ricard this weekend". Endurance Info. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  24. ↑ Goodwin, Graham (8 February 2024). "Carl Wattana Bennett Completes Duqueine's Isotta Fraschini Trio". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  25. ↑ Kilbey, Stephen (22 August 2024). "Isotta Withdraws From WEC With Immediate Effect (Updated)". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  26. ↑ Kilbey, Stephen (23 December 2024). "2024 Goodbyes: Isotta Fraschini's Tipo 6 LMH Competizione". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  27. ↑ Kilbey, Stephen (9 June 2026). "High Class Racing To Resurrect Isotta Fraschini Hypercar". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  28. ↑ "Isotta Fraschini Motori e Fincantieri, inaugurata a Bari la nuova area produzione". Affaritaliani.it (in Italian). 22 July 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938. London: Sampson, Low & Martin company Limited. 1938.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gunston, Bill (1989). World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines (2nd ed.). Cambridge, England: Patrick Stephens Limited. ISBN 1-85260-163-9.
  31. 1 2 3 Grey, C.G. (1969). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1919 (Facsimile ed.). David & Charles (Publishing) Limited. pp. 1b to 145b. ISBN 07153-4647-4.

Further reading

edit
  • Vicenzi, Ugo (October 2021). "Aces High: Isotta Franchini's "Asso" Powerplant Series". The Aviation Historian (37): 42–51. ISSN 2051-1930.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Isotta_Fraschini&oldid=1359138577#Today"