Chiribiri

Chiribiri
	Chiribiri logo
Company type	Private
Industry	AutomotiveAircraft
Founded	1910
Fate	ceased operations 1929
Headquarters	Turin, Italy
Key people	Antonio Chiribiri

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Chiribiri, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 2025

Chiribiri operated as a producer of aircraft and automobiles in Turin, Italy, between 1910 and 1929. The enterprise, formally known as Fabbrica Torinese Velivoli Chiribiri & C., was established by the Venetian entrepreneur Antonio Chiribiri, alongside Maurizio Ramassotto and engineer Gaudenzio Verga.

History

Antonio Chiribiri alongside a Miller aero-engine

Born in Venice in 1865, Antonio 'Papà' Chiribiri relocated from his native city—less conducive to engineering pursuits—to Florence where he gained experience working in a small workshop. He subsequently advanced his career at Zust and later at Isotta Fraschini, specializing in automotive technical roles. In 1909, he joined the Turin-based aeronautics firm Miller Aircraft to lead technical design efforts.

Aircraft

In 1910, Antonio Chiribiri founded his own firm dedicated to producing aeronautical components and accessories, named 'Fabbrica Torinese Velivoli Chiribiri & C'. Renowned for high-quality aircraft parts, the company expanded to constructing at least one complete aircraft: the 'Chiribiri No. 5', a two-seat tractor monoplane that first took flight in July 1912. This model measured 24 feet (7.3 m) in length with a wingspan of 31 feet (9.4 m), weighed approximately 770 lb (350 kg), and achieved speeds up to 55 mph (90 km/h). Subsequently, Chiribiri secured a license to manufacture 100 aircraft engines for the French firm Gnome et Rhone, which led to the cessation of their own aircraft production. This achievement allowed the company to establish a pilot training school at its factory, preparing aviators who later participated in World War I.

In 1918, a Fiat equipped with a Chiribiri engine set a world speed record for the timed kilometer from a flying start. Originally constructed in 1913, this car featured an 8,000 cc inline-four aircraft engine from Chiribiri delivering 130 CV (96 kW), mounted on a Fiat 50-60 HP chassis. It is widely regarded as Italy’s first monoposto. At Monza, it reached speeds of 160 km/h (99 mph) over the standing kilometer distance. Presently, this historic vehicle is part of the Mario Righini collection housed at the castle in Panzano, a subdivision of Castelfranco Emilia, Italy.

Cars

Following their 1913 venture with the land speed record car, Chiribiri began serious production of automobiles in 1914. Gustavo Brunetta d'Usseaux, a wealthy landowner, initially ordered 100 units of the ‘Siva’, an economical vehicle powered by a 980 cc engine; however, financial difficulties led Chiribiri to continue independently. By 1915, they introduced a second production run featuring a larger chassis and a 1300 cc, 12 hp (9 kW) engine, maintaining output throughout the wartime period.

At the 1919 Paris Motor Show, Chiribiri unveiled the 12 HP lightweight automobile. This model was an open four-seater equipped with a 1593 cc side-valve engine delivering approximately 19 CV (kW), incorporating an early form of transaxle design where the four-speed gearbox was integrated with the rear differential. The car achieved moderate success and remained available until 1922. It was succeeded by the ‘Roma 5000’—offered in Touring and Sport trims—capable of reaching speeds up to 100 km/h and powered by a 1499 cc engine producing between 25 and 30 CV at 3,200 rpm. This model evolved into the 1924 Milano, which featured a 1486 cc engine rated at roughly 20 CV. A twin-cam variant called the Monza was also marketed, available either as a four-seat torpedo-bodied tourer or as the 'Monza Corsa' competition version, which was eventually offered with a supercharger. Production of the Monza concluded in 1927, while the Milano continued until Chiribiri ceased operations.

Motor Racing

The Monza GT made its racing debut with drivers Ada Chiribiri, Amedeo Chiribiri, Tazio Nuvolari, Gigi Platé, and Jack Scales—known as 'the Englishman' (Jan 29, 1886 – Oct 23, 1962)—securing victories in three events: the Susa-Moncenisio race, the Gran San Bernardo contest in Aosta, and the Voiturette Grand Prix held at Monza's autodrome.

In 1921, Amedeo Chiribiri competed under the alias Deo and claimed victory at Florence’s Coppa della Cascine, while Mauro Ramassotto finished second in the Rome Criterium’s 2,000 cc category.

During the second Penya Rhin Grand Prix in Barcelona (1922), held on the Circuit de Vilafranca—a road course located in hills near Sitges—Mauro Ramassotto secured third place and Amedeo Chiribiri recorded the fastest lap for Voiturettes up to 2000 cc at an average speed of 112 km/h.

At the third Penya Rhin Grand Prix in Barcelona (1923) on the same circuit, Tazio Nuvolari finished fifth driving a 1500 cc Chiribiri. Later that year at the II Spanish Grand Prix on the banked Sitges Terramar autodrome, Nuvolari achieved fourth place.

In 1924, Alete Marconcini earned the Italian National Championship behind the wheel of a Chiribiri 12/16 by winning three events: Circuito di Belfiore in Mantua, Circuito di Cremona, and Circuito del Montenero (Coppa Montenero). Additionally, Tazio Nuvolari triumphed at both Circuito del Savio and Circuito del Polesine races, while Rodolfo Caruso took first place in Coppa della Perugina.

Tragically, on July 9th, 1926, Piroli—the riding mechanic—lost his life during an event at Berlin's Avus circuit.

Road vehicles

In 1923, a street-legal model was introduced, equipped with either a 45 CV (33 kW) engine or an upgraded 65 CV (48 kW) variant capable of reaching 5,000 rpm. Two years later, a supercharger was incorporated, boosting output to 95 CV (70 kW) at 5,700 rpm and enabling speeds up to 180 km/h (112 mph).

By 1927, the firm expanded its portfolio to include diesel and industrial engine production.

Closure

The company underwent restructuring in 1925 and was renamed 'Auto Costruzioni Meccaniche Chiribiri'. However, sales of passenger vehicles remained limited, primarily due to the underwhelming performance of the side-valve Milano model combined with the elevated pricing required by its advanced 'aeronautical' engineering standards. Although the shift toward diesel and industrial engines occurred in 1927, the economic downturn across Europe ultimately led to the company's shutdown on 3 September 1929, with its assets subsequently acquired by Lancia.

Chiribiri family

Antonio Chiribiri passed away in April 1943. His son Amedeo, born in 1898, along with his daughter Ada, were his principal collaborators and team members, having achieved victories in races, hill climbs, and rally events.

References

External links

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