Isotta-Fraschini is a retro trendsetter in the executive class

Isotta Fraschini or «Isotta-Fraschini.», IF, also known as IF, is an Italian automobile manufacturing company formed in 1900 by members of the Fraschini family. Initially the company imported Renault, Aster and De Dion-Bouton. A little later its own production facilities for the assembly of cars under the Renault licence appeared. Already in 1903 the company produces its own car Tipo 1902, and by 1905 the company starts to deal with racing versions and succeeds in it.

In-house production and design know-how

The success of Isotta-Fraschini was due to the design talent of Giuseppe Stefanini, in 1905 Giustino Cattaneo was hired as assistant designer. It was he who made a decisive contribution to the technological design of the cars. After the first Tipo 1902, the Isotta-Fraschini Tipo D racing car came off the production line with a record-breaking 17230cc engine. It had an overhead camshaft and 120 hp. The car became the basic platform for sports models.

Race and design refinement

The company took part in a race with its car in 1905, with the famous Vincenzo Trucco as the pilot and Alfieri Maserati, the future founder of the Italian brand Maserati, as the mechanic. In the eight-hour race, the Isotta-Fraschini Tipo D car travelled at an average speed of about 57 km/h and won the «Florio Cup».

Already in 1906, Isotta-Fraschini became the second car manufacturer in Italy, producing 300 cars per year, after FIAT, which produced 1800 cars per year. In 1907 a contract was signed with Lorraine-Dietrich and part of the spare parts production was moved to France. Two years later, Isotta-Fraschini restored full-cycle production.

The patent for Giustino Cattaneo's front axle and brake system was obtained in 1910. The company was the first in the world to produce cars with four-wheel brakes.

Trucks and armoured vehicles

In 1906 Isotta Fraschini mastered the production of trucks, fulfilling the state order from 1911 to 1915, produced a 2-tonne cargo vehicle GM3. In 1911 was created an armoured vehicle Autoblindo Isotta Fraschini mod. 1911. After Italy's entry into the First World War, the company began to produce military cars and trucks, bringing the total payload to 3-4 tonnes. In the post-war period the company did not produce trucks.

Isotta-Fraschini executive cars

After the war, Isotta-Fraschini worked to fulfil the needs of the aristocracy. Special attention was paid to comfort and bodywork. In the 1920s the company experienced an unprecedented dawn. In 1919, the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 car with an adapted aircraft engine was released. It was designed before the war by the permanent designer Giustino Cattaneo. It used an ultra-large wheelbase of 3700 mm and the engine displacement reached almost 6000 cc. The proposed model was a great success, sold also in Europe, North and South America.

These cars are a hallmark of the time. Especially the sign of the goddess Victoria on the bonnet. Subsequently, the company produced low-frame models, cars with shortened base, with improved suspension. The last versions of serial cars reached 130-135 hp, special attention was paid to dynamics, smoothness and comfort of driving.

Isotta-Fraschini is a symbol of wealth and luxury in the 1920s

In the 1920s, Isotta-Fraschini cars became a symbol of wealth and luxury, the models were as sought after and popular as Hispano-Suiza and Rolls-Royce. The buyers were the Shah of Iran Pahlavi, the royal court of Romania and Italy, the monarchs of Ethiopia, the Princes Grimaldi. The Vatican also became a buyer, which purchased a car for Pope Pius XI. This model was also present in the garages of the highest officials of the USSR. A number of body ateliers worked on the Isotta-Fraschini chassis, making luxurious and exquisite cars.

It is Isotta-Fraschini who appears in Ilf and Petrov's novel The Golden Calf.

Financial problems and bankruptcy

The first bankruptcy hit the company in 1932. During this period it was saved by the Italian aircraft designer Count Capron di Toledo. The company began to produce aircraft engines, trying to return to the market of lorries. But within 15 years the design had become obsolete. Isotta-Fraschini no longer used this source of income, despite the fact that the 110C lorry model was still produced. It was later saved by military orders as Italy went to war in Africa.

By 1946-49 the company had almost regained its position. But this was not enough for a stable financial position. In 1949, Isotta-Fraschini was liquidated by the Italian authorities by the Milan court. The cargo division was sold to Breda.

The company's car manufacturing workshops were merged by the Italian state-owned Engineering Finance Fund. They became part of the new company Isotta-Fraschini Motori. It exists until today. The company produces diesel engines of marine and industrial class and succeeds in the market. Sometimes replicas of legendary cars of the past are produced.