Isotta-Fraschini
Isotta Fraschini was know as "The Aristocrat of Automobiles." This was the Italian supreme luxury marque from Milan which only the most elite could own. Today Isotta-Fraschini is a set of several companies.
- Isotta-Fraschini Motori S.p.A., "From a great history, today's story", an Italian engineering firm specializing in diesel products, particularly marine engines, industrial engines, and rail traction engines but has provided a wide range of civil and military engineering products and services.
- Fabbrica Automobili Isotta-Fraschini S.p.A., for a while the name and trademark was in the hands of the Italian government from which an Italian businessman Giuliano Malvino purchased it. At the present time this company is inactive although there is talk that is will be resurrected to compete Maybach, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley.
- Isotta Fraschini Milano, s.r.l., produces luxury goods in the spirit of the supreme luxury that the Isotta-Fraschini Motor Car embodied.
History
Isotta Fraschini was the most extreme and ultra-luxury marque in Italy; it was a true Italian pedigree, regarded as highly as Rolls-Royce is to the British but even more unusual. Like its Anglo counterpart, the name was made up of two surnames of its founders, Cesare Isotta and Oreste Fraschini. This high-end luxury car marque was established as Fabbrica Automobili Isotta-Fraschini. Prior to establishing their own company in 1903, Isotta and Fraschini were assembling Renault autombiles beginning in 1899.
The first automobile which this marque produced featured a four cylinder that had an output of 12 hp (9 kW) which was succeeded by 16 hp 12 kW then 24 hp (18 kW). In 1905 Isotta-Fraschini gained much notoriety in the race, Coppa Florio which they entered their Tipo D that featured a 17 liter 100 hp (75)engine. For a short time, in 1907 Isotta-Fraschini merged with the French company Lorraine-Dietich
The Isotta-Fraschini is the automobile driven by the character Norma Desmond in the Oscar winning movie "Sunset Boulevard." In the movie, which is set in the 1940s, Norma is a forgotten former silent film star from the 19teens and 1920s, and the car represents both the height her glamour and how its time has past.