DIATTO (Italy)
The "Diatto-Clement Societa
Anonima" was born in 1905 from an accord between Diatto (a
Turin based company since 1835) and Clement (a Paris based company)
in order to construct cars known as the 'Torino' at Turin. These
were actually licensed products from the latter company. The first
car was the 20-25HP which used a 3770cc four cylinder engine,
followed the year after by the 10-12HP (1884cc two-cylinder) and
the 14-18HP (2724cc four-cylinder). The success of these models
led to more being introduced, including a six-cylinder model.
In 1909 Clement left the business and the company was renamed
'Societa Fonderie Officine Frejus'. During the first world war
new models continued to be introduced (the 18HP, 20-25HP and 30-40HP)
as well as chassis' for light commercial vehicles for the military.
An expansion program led to the purchase of various companies
in and around Turin whose experience, equipment and plans were
all used by Diatto. A bodyshop was also founded for the internal
production of the bodies.
After a brief name change in 1918, in 1919 the company became
'Societa Anonima Automobili Diatto'. Financial problems followed
the war, but cars continued to be developed and produced. The
Tipo 10 was a small car with a 1018cc four-cylinder engine, whilst
the Tipo 30 was built under licence from Bugatti and included
a four-valve-per-cylinder 1452cc four cylinder engine (later increased
to 2-litres) with around 30bhp.
Following liquidation in 1923 a new company was formed in 1924
with new investors. The Tipo 20 family (20, 20A and 20S) was released,
and a Grand Prix car was developed using a supercharged 2-litre
dohc eight cylinder powerplant. The economic situation at the
time was, however, not to be denied another victim and in 1928
the last cars were produced. The company continued to produce
some spare parts and components until the 1950s when it was totally
absorbed into "S.p.A. G. Veglio & C".
source:
www.carsfromitaly.com
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