Sunday, March 11, 2012

ISOTTA-FRASCHINI

ISOTTA-FRASCHINI 

Izotta Caesar (Cesare Isotta) and Vincenzo Fraschini (Vincenzo Fraschini) began to work together in Milan. In 1899 they imported to Italy, the French cars. A year later, the first built their car became Renault ("Renault").
Completely created their own model Isotta-Fraschini appeared in 1903 shortly company focused on the issue of large and fast cars. By 1906 it had become the second largest after the FIAT (FIAT), an Italian manufacturer. In 1907 it acquired the company Lorraine-Dietrich ("Lorraine-Dietrich"), but after two years the company regained its independence.


Actor Rudolph Valentino (Rudolph Valentino) was a big fan of Isotta-Fraschini, which contributed sales of these machines in North America
Before World War II image of the Isotta-Fraschini was different than in the 20s. When she became famous for large and luxury cars. In 1905 an engineer working on her Giuseppe Stefanini (Giuseppe Stefanini) got to help Giustino Cattaneo (Guistino Cattaneo). One of their first projects was the 100-horsepower Tipo D ("Tipo A") with engine capacity of 17 230 cm3 with overhead camshaft, who participated in the Cup Florio (sorry Florio) 1905 1908 Isotta-Fraschini with driver Vincenzo Trukko (Vincenzo Trucco) and Alfieri Maserati mechanic (Alfieri Maserati) won the Targa Florio ("Targa Florio"), having developed an 8-hour race average speed of 56.96 km / h


This figure belongs to the radiator cap the car Isotta-Fraschini 8A
By the end of World War Isotta-Fraschini not only preserved the glory of the manufacturer of high quality cars, but also produced military vehicles, ships and aircraft engines. During the war it had produced prototypes of a completely new series of cars Tipo 8. In 1919 followed a policy of a model with 8-cylinder overhead valve engine. It paid off, at least until the 30s.
Tipo 8 was a big, powerful, expensive car and compete with Rolls-Royce ("Rolls Royce") and Hispano-Suiza ("Hispano-Suiza"). At first, its shape was somewhat heavy. Followed him in the 20's. options, "8A" and "8ASS" get rid of this drawback.


The most famous model of the Isotta-Fraschini - big and impressive Tipo August 20-ies. 8A is shown here Torpedo ("Torpedo") in 1920 with a body Farina (Farina) and 6-liter row "Six"
With the onset of the economic recession of the early 30s. Isotta-Fraschini had intended to join the American company Ford ("Ford"), but this did not happen. Demand for the Tipo 8 fell and the company had to focus on aircraft engines, while in 1933 it merged with a group of Caproni ("Caproni").
After the Second World War, Isotta-Fraschini tried to return to the production of cars, creating an interesting model for the design of rear-8C Monterosa ("Monterosa"). But the lapping machine was delayed. Before closing the plant in 1949 on the orders of the Italian government, which owned it, was able to collect only a few copies.
Isotta-Fraschilli Tipo 8 ("Fraschini Tipo Izotta-8"), 1919-1935
This model was created Giustino Cat-Tene, technical manager of the company Isotta-Fraschini. Tipo 8 was developed during the First World War, was the world's first serial in-line eight-cylinder engine and has gone on sale in 1919, largely it has followed the principles of the U.S. because the company had a view of the overseas market. The car was a big, heavy and well-designed, had a motor with excellent adaptability and 3-speed gearbox.


This is a solid body was typical of the Tipo 8
At first, sales of the new model was good. Among the buyers were Rudolph Valentino (Rudolph Valentino), actress Clara Bow (Clara Bow), boxer Jack Dempsey (Jack Dempsey) and newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst (William Randolph Hearst).


About eight had a simple 8-cylinder overhead valve engine and the long-stroke 80 hp
Subsequent versions of "8A" and "8ASS" of this model with a more powerful engine and improved appearance were better known and enjoyed the highest demand. These majestic and very heavy cars had a wheelbase 3.38 m or 3.68 During the period between the two world wars, the company produced 1350 cars, 950 of them were variants of "8A". Option "8B" came later, was sold about 30 pieces.
Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8ASS was the development of a model "8". Here is an option with a convertible body
Characteristics (Tipo 8, 1919)
Engine: P8, the overhead
Bore and Stroke: 85x130 mm
Displacement: 5902 cm3
Maximum power: 80 hp
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Chassis: the steel frame
Suspension: dependent on the leaf springs
Brakes: drum
Body: 4 - or 5-bed types
Maximum speed: 113 km / h
Options Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A and 8ASS
Model "8A", released in 1925, the engine was different dimension 95x130 mm (7372 cm 3, 110-120 hp), with power brakes and an improved selection of gear ratios. This was followed by a sports "8ASS" with the same engine capacity of 135 hp and a maximum speed of 167 km / h
Isotta-Fraschini Tipo SB
This is the third generation (1931) with a new and more rigid frame, the same engine (7.4 liter, 135 hp) and installed a 1932 four-speed Wilson ("Wilson") with a preliminary choice transmission. Since 1934 the standard was synchronized gearbox.
Isotta-Fraschini 8C Monterosa ("Izotta-Fraschini 8C Monterosa") 1947-1949
The company Isotta-Fraschini tried to resume car production, introducing in 1947 the Tipo 8C Monterosa of Fabio Rapi (Fabio Rapi) and Alessandro Bai (Alessandro Baj). The machine is once again destined for U.S. buyers, which explains its appearance. The name of the model had an allegorical meaning, as the Monterosa - is the highest peak in the Alps on the border between Italy and Switzerland.
Continuity with previous models of the company or other Italian cars did not exist: it was a large six-seater car on a steel platform with the rear engine V8, a box with pre-selection of gears and rubber suspension. Radiators and cooling systems were behind. Body of Zagato ("Zagat") was long and sleek, but not quite beautiful. The front looked like a model Rolls-Royce or Mercedes-Benz, and behind Lancia Aprilia ("Lancia Aprilia") and even the Tatra ("Tatra").
Prior to the car sales significantly upgraded: engine capacity has increased from 2.5 to 3 liters, and power - from 103 to 115 hp, radiator moved forward, and the rubber suspension gave way to spring. The car had developed a neutral handling and speed of 161 km / h We will never know why, with the likely success of the Americans the Italian government in 1949 rejected the project, the company closed its plant and transferring arms concern Breda ("NAC").
The outcome could be different. The Americans at that time were very conservative, which confirmed the story with the best model of Tucker Torpedo ("Tucker Torpedo"), so the rear-Isotta-Fraschini could encounter in the U.S. with great difficulty.
Last car Isotta-Fraschini was absolutely not similar to previous models: the body from Zagato, rear 3-liter V8, a box with a preliminary choice of transmission and rubber suspension
Characteristics (1947)
Engine: V8, the overhead
Bore and Stroke: 78x78 mm
Displacement: 2982 cm3
Maximum Power: 115 hp
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Chassis: Steel platform for
Suspension: independent on the helical springs
Brakes: drum
Body: 4-seater sedan
Maximum speed: 161 km / h





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