Itala Grand Prix Racer, 1907 Grand Prix Racer | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

More Photographs Interior Photos

View more photos

The Itala Grand Prix race car, while somewhat overweight and under-powered, was a reliable competitor. This car was built in the Itala factory in Torino, Italy, and was driven in Europe by Henri Fournier. He brought the car to the United Sates, and placed eighth in the U.S. Grand Prix held in Savannah, GA, in March of 1907. The name Itala was made famous in 1907 by the Peking-Paris Run. This trial, organized by a French newspaper, matched the Itala against two DeDion-Boutons, a Contel Tricycle and a Spyker. The start took place in June of 1907, and the Itala rapidly out-distanced its competitors, reaching Paris exactly two months after traveling 10,000 miles over roads, which were primitive at best, and non-existent at worst.

Displacing 14.75 liters (900 cubic-inches), this Itala was built in Torino, Italy, for Henri Fournier. After being raced successfully in Europe, it was brought to the United States where it ran in the 1908 American Grand Prix at Savannah, Georgia. Itala built very successful racing cars including the 34/45 hp model that won the 1908 Paris to Peking race by the somewhat excessive three weeks! The company became part of the Fiat Group in 1935.

In 1904, the Itala Company was formed in Turin, Italy by Matteo Ceirano and Guido Bigio. The vehicles created were primarily designed for racing and outfitted with large engines. Throughout the years, the vehicles would capture many victories, the most famous being the 1907 Paris-Peking Marathon. This 10,000 mile endurance race included two continents, deserts, swamps and other terrain. Eleven men in five different vehicles entered the race. The most powerful vehicle was the 40 HP Itala driven by Prince Scipio Borghese. There were no roads that stretched from Peking to Paris that was able to accommodate automobiles. Many of the vehicles were underpowered and able to scale the steep inclines. Animals and men were needed to push the vehicles to the summit of the mountains. On the down hills, the vehicles mechanical components were once again inadequate, often failing to properly slow the vehicle. The extreme heat from the desserts caused the radiators to overheat. The only solution was to pour the reserve drinking water into the vehicles to keep them from boiling over. After sixty-one days, the Itala entered Paris, winning the race. Twenty days later the remainder of the vehicles arrived in Paris. There were two De Dion-Burtons and a Spyker. The final vehicle, a three-wheel, 6HP Contal was unable to complete the race.

The success of their race cars and the high profile individuals who purchased them aided in increasing demand for the vehicles. The Itala Company enjoyed mild success until the onset of World War I, where they shifted to building military vehicles and aircraft engines. After the war the company went back to producing race cars. Their Tipo 24 featured a 2-liter six-cylinder engine fitted to a small body. Prior to the war, their vehicles were large and outfitted with very powerful engines. As with many companies during the late 1920's and early 1930's, slow sales and a tough economy brought financial difficulties for the Itala Company. The Company introduced their Tipo 61 powered by a 60 horsepower six-cylinder engine. To help widen their clientele base, it was offered in various body styles and sizes. It was not until 1934 that the company's financial problems became so great that they were forced to close their doors, after 30 years of automobile production.

Targa Florio

The first of the classic road races was the Targa Florio which began in 1906 and continued off-and-on until 1976. The first course was three laps on a 92-mile course in the Madonie Mountains. As the years progressed, the course was changed due to floods, earthquakes, and some of the roads' poor maintenance. Just prior to the First World War, the course traversed the perimeter of the island. Regardless of the course, the challenges were ever present. Handling and reliability often won out over the higher horsepower entrants as the treacherous mountain courses were better suited to the nimble cars that could negotiate the narrow passageways and sharp, unforgiving turns.

Photos grouped by event
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance	Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

1907 Itala Grand Prix Racer
Year	1907
Make	Itala
Model	Grand Prix Racer
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Combined MPG	0.00

Engine
Engine Configuration	I
	135-degree
	T-Head
Cylinders	4
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	7.40 L \| 451.5 cu in. \| 7400.1 cc.
Horsepower	50.00 HP (36.8 KW)
HP / Liter	6.8 BHP / Liter
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol

Standard Transmission
Transmission	Manual

Vehicle Spotlight

Similar Vehicles
10+ Liter Club
2003 Cadillac Sixteen
1922 Mercedes Racing Special
1921 Mercedes Chitty Bang Bang
1915 Van Blerck 17-Liter
1911 Fiat S74
1910 Benz 200HP Blitzen-Benz
1908 Mercedes 120HP
1908 Mors Grand Prix
1908 Napier 65R
1905 Panhard et Levassor Type Q Labourdette
1904 Fiat 75 Alessio
1902 Ford 999

1907 Itala Grand Prix Racer