S.P.A. (automobile)

S.P.A.
Società Piemontese Automobili
	File:Logo Società Piemontese Automobili.svg
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1906
Defunct	Template:End date and age
Fate	Acquired by Fiat
Headquarters	Turin, Italy
Key people	Founders: Michele Ansaldi, Matteo Ceirano
Products	Automobiles, military vehicles

Template:Other uses of

S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili) was an Italian producer of automobiles, military vehicles, and aircraft engines, established in Turin by Matteo Ceirano alongside Michele Ansaldi. The company operated from 1906 until 1926. In 1908, it combined with Fabbrica Ligure Automobili Genova (FLAG), forming Società Ligure Piemontese Automobili, which maintained its headquarters in Genoa while continuing manufacturing activities in Turin.

The firm relocated to Turin in 1923 and was acquired by Fiat in 1925. Following this takeover, automobile production was discontinued; however, the manufacture of commercial and military vehicles persisted. Although car production recommenced post-World War II, by 1947 the company had been fully integrated into Fiat.

Ceirano family background

The Ceirano siblings—Giovanni Battista, Giovanni, Ernesto, and Matteo—played pivotal roles in establishing Italy’s automotive industry. Their contributions include founding or influencing several enterprises such as Ceirano, the Welleyes (which formed the technical foundation for F.I.A.T.), Fratelli Ceirano, S.T.A.R./Rapid, SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino), Itala, and S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili). Giovanni’s son, Giovanni "Ernesto", also made significant contributions by co-founding Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (also known as Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) and Fabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA).

In 1888, after completing an eight-year apprenticeship at his father’s watchmaking workshop, Giovanni Battista began producing Welleyes bicycles—a name chosen for its English appeal to buyers. In October 1898, Giovanni Battista and Matteo established Ceirano GB & C, initiating production of the Welleyes motor car in 1899. By July 1899, the factory and patents were sold to Giovanni Agnelli, who manufactured them as the first F.I.A.T. models—the Fiat 4 HP. Giovanni Battista served as Fiat’s Italian agent but departed within a year to launch Fratelli Ceirano & C., which evolved into Società Torinese Automobili Rapid (S.T.A.R.) in 1903, producing automobiles under the 'Rapid' brand. In 1904, Matteo Ceirano exited Ceirano GB & C to establish his own marque, Itala. Two years later, in 1906, Matteo left Itala to create S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili) with chief designer Alberto Ballacco. That same year, Giovanni founded SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino) in Turin. Later, in 1919, Giovanni and Giovanni "Ernesto" co-founded Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (also known as Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili), acquiring control of Fabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA) in 1922.

History

File:AS42-1.gif

SPA-Viberti AS.42 in North Africa, March 1943, operated by the PAI. It belonged to the "103rd Compagnie Arditi Camionettisti," with half engaged on the Tunisian Front and the remainder on the Libyan Front

File:Bus spa 1.jpg

SPA bus model 34

Founded in 1906 by Matteo Ceirano and Michele Ansaldi—the latter also known for establishing Ansaldi automobiles—the firm began its operations in Turin under the name Società Piemontese Automobili. Alberto Ballacco served as the lead designer.

In 1908, a merger took place with Fabbrica Ligure Automobili Genova (FLAG), resulting in the formation of Società Ligure Piemontese Automobili. While production remained in Turin, the company’s headquarters shifted to Genoa.

During the First World War, the company manufactured aero engines such as the 6A. Both Ceirano and Ansaldi departed from the firm in 1916.

By 1923, operations were relocated back to Turin. Financial difficulties culminated in Fiat acquiring the company in 1925, which marked a strategic shift away from passenger cars toward commercial and military vehicle production.

Following World War II, car manufacturing was briefly resumed; however, by 1947, the company had been completely integrated into Fiat.

Cars

File:SPA dell Automobile.jpg

1922 SPA 23S displayed at Museo dell'Automobile

The initial vehicles developed by Alberto Ballacco and Ceirano included models such as the 28/40HP and 60/70 HP, both equipped with four-cylinder engines featuring side valves and live rear axles. These were showcased at the Esposizione di Torino.

By 1907, their lineup expanded to include two six-cylinder variants; one distinctive feature was a flywheel positioned at the front end of the crankshaft.

Advancements by 1911 incorporated L-head monobloc engine designs, unitary gearboxes, and high-tension magneto ignition systems. The following year, they sold approximately 500 units and introduced a new four-cylinder 14/16 hp engine that served as the foundation for a modern, compact automobile.

By 1914, their offerings encompassed twin-, four-, and six-cylinder models, with the largest engine displacing 11,536cc.

Post-World War I production resumed with pre-war designs including the 14/16 HP powered by a 2,700cc side-valve engine and the 25/30 HP featuring a six-cylinder 4,400cc engine.

In 1922, they unveiled the advanced 30/40 Super Sports model equipped with a 4,400cc six-cylinder engine utilizing twin overhead camshafts (DOHC) operating four valves per cylinder. This vehicle incorporated aluminium alloy cylinders with steel liners, aluminium pistons, dual carburetors, dual ignition systems, front-wheel brakes, and a V-shaped radiator. By 1923, their sporty models were marketed under designations such as Tipo 23, Tipo 24, and Tipo 25.

Racing

File:SPA 50 HP 9000 1914.jpg

S.P.A. 50 HP 9000 from 1914

In 1908, Ernesto Ceirano secured third place at the Targa Florio driving an S.P.A. 28/40 HP featuring a four-cylinder, 7,785cc engine.

During the 1909 season, an S.P.A. race car piloted by Francesco Ciuppa claimed victory at the Targa Florio. The driver completed one lap of the challenging 148km Grande Circuit in a time of 2 hours, 43 minutes, and 19 seconds, averaging a speed of 54.67 km/h.

Product Range

28/40 horsepower
50 horsepower
60/70 horsepower
25/30 horsepower
14/16 horsepower
Tipo 23
Tipo 23 S
Tipo 24
Tipo 25

Aero Engines

File:SPA 6A inline engine (2).JPG

SPA 6A inline engine

Throughout World War I, the firm manufactured aviation engines. The S.P.A. 6A was a water-cooled, six-cylinder inline engine delivering 220 horsepower (164 kW).

This engine powered several aircraft models, including:

Ansaldo A.1 Balilla – Italy’s sole domestically produced fighter aircraft;
Ansaldo SVA – a reconnaissance biplane;
Breda A.2 – an Italian sport and touring plane from 1921;
Breda A.3;
Breda A.9 and A.9bis – 1928 Italian biplane trainers utilized by the Regia Aeronautica;
CANT 7 – an Italian Flying boat introduced in 1920;
Marchetti MVT / SIAI S.50 – Italian fighter aircraft from the late 1910s to early 1920s.

Military Vehicles

SPA 9000 da 102/35
Dovunque 35
Dovunque 35 protetto
Dovunque 41
25C/10 (refer to Ursus A)
36R
38R
S37
AS37
AS42
AS43
CL39
TL37
TM40
A-10000

References

External links

Template:Automotive industry in Italy Template:Fiat Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 159: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).