SCAT (automobile)

For other uses of "Ceirano", see Ceirano (disambiguation).
S.C.A.T.
Società Ceirano Automobili Torino
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1906
Defunct1929
Fateabsorbed by Fiat in 1929, cars produced until 1932[1]
HeadquartersTurin, Italy
Key people
Giovanni Battista Ceirano founder
ProductsAutomobiles
SCAT 15-20HP
1911 S.C.A.T.
1926 SCAT-Ceirano

The SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino) was an Italian automobile manufacturer from Turin, founded in 1906 by Giovanni Battista Ceirano.

The company was active from 1906 to 1932 and achieved Targa Florio wins in 1911, 1912 and 1914.[2] The first produced models were the 12 HP, the 16 HP and the 22 HP of 1909.

Ceirano family background

The Ceirano brothers, Giovanni Battista, Giovanni, Ernesto and Matteo, were influential in the founding of the Italian auto industry, being variously responsible for: Ceirano; Welleyes (the technical basis of FIAT); Fratelli Ceirano; Società Torinese Automobili Rapid (STAR/Rapid); SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino); Itala and SPA (Società Piemontese Automobili). Giovanni's son Giovanni "Ernesto" was also influential, co-founding Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (aka Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) and Fabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA).

In 1888, after eight years apprenticeship at his father's watch-making business, Giovanni Battista started building Welleyes bicycles, so named because English names had more sales appeal.[3] In October 1898 Giovanni Battista and Matteo co-founded Ceirano GB & C and started producing the Welleyes motor car in 1899. In July 1899 the plant and patents were sold to Giovanni Agnelli and produced as the first FIATs - the Fiat 4 HP. Giovanni Battista was employed by Fiat as the agent for Italy, but within a year he left to found Fratelli Ceirano & C. which in 1903 became STAR building cars badged as 'Rapid'. In 1904 Matteo Ceirano left Ceirano GB & C to create his own brand - Itala. In 1906 Matteo left Itala to found SPA with chief designer, Alberto Ballacco. In 1906 Giovanni founded SCAT in Turin. In 1919 Giovanni and Giovanni "Ernesto" co-founded Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (aka Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) and in 1922 they took control of FATA).

Production

SCAT production before World War I:

  • 1906 12/16 hp 2,724 cc > 1910 15/20 hp 2,951 cc
  • 1907 16/20 hp 3,190 cc
  • 1907 22/32 hp 3,770 cc > 1910 22/32 hp 4,398cc > 1912 25/35 hp 4,712 cc
  • 1912 60/75 hp 6,285 cc
  • 1914 12/18 hp 2,120 cc
  • 1915 18/30 hp 3,563 cc
  • 1913 torpedo
    1913 torpedo

Targa Florio

1911

Ernesto Ceirano wins the 1911 Targa Florio in a Scat 22/32.

In 1911, Giovanni's brother Ernesto Ceirano won the Targa Florio driving the SCAT he completed the 3 laps of the Grande Circuit of the Targa Florio, covering the 446-kilometre (277 mi) in 9 hours 32 minutes 22 seconds, an average speed of 46.8 km/h.[4][5]

1912

Cyril Snipe at the 1912 Targa Florio

British driver Cyril Snipe won the 1912 Targa Florio (Giro di Sicilia) on 25 and 26 May, driving a SCAT 25/35 with his co-driver Pedrini. They completed the 965 kilometre course around the island of Sicily in 24 hours 37 minutes 39 seconds, defeating a field of 26 cars which included Lancia, Isotta Fraschini, Fiat and A.L.F.A. The race passed through Palermo, Messina, Catania, Syracuse, Ragusa, Gela, Agrigento, Marsala, Trapani, and back to Palermo.[6][7]

1913

Snipe drove a SCAT again in the 1913 Targa Florio race, but failed to finish.[6][8]

1914

In 1914, Ernesto Ceirano drove a SCAT 22/32 to his second victory in the Targa Florio, completing a single 979 km lap of the island in 16 hours 51 minutes 31 seconds at an average speed of 58.07 km/h.[9]

Models

19 models were produced by SCAT:[10]

Start End Name Engine Cylinders Capacity
1906 1909 SCAT 12-16 HP Multi-block 4 cylinders 2,724 cm3 (85 x 120)
1907 1909 SCAT 16-20 HP Multi-block 4 cylinders 3,190 cm3 (92 x 120)
1907 1909 SCAT 22-32 HP Multi-block 4 cylinders 3,770 cm3 (100 x 120)
1910 1911 SCAT 22-32 HP Multi-block 4 cylinders 4,398 cm3 (100 x 140)
1912 1914 SCAT 15-20 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 2,951 cm3 (85 x 130)
1910 1911 SCAT 15-20 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 2,724 cm3 (85 x 120)
1912 1920 SCAT 25-35 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 4,712 cm3 (100 x 150)
1912 1915 SCAT 60-75 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 6,284 cm3 (100 x 200)
1914 1920 SCAT 12-18 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 2,120 cm3 (75 x 120)
1915 1916 SCAT 18-30 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 3,563 cm3 (90 x 140)
1921 1921 SCAT 18-25 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 2,120 cm3 (75 x 120)
1922 1922 SCAT 18-25 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 2,220 cm3 (76 x 125)
1922 1922 SCAT 18-25 HP Mono-block 6 cylinders 2,218 cm3 (64 x 115)
1921 1921 SCAT 30-40 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 4,712 cm3 (100 x 150)
1921 1921 SCAT 120 HP Corsa Mono-block 4 cylinders 9,236 cm3 (140 x 150)
1922 1922 SCAT 12-16 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 1,551 cm3 (67 x 110)
1922 1922 SCAT 20-30 HP Mono-block 4 cylinders 2,951 cm3 (85 x 130)
1924 1928 SCAT Ceirano N 150
("Ceiranina")		 Mono-block 4 cylinders 1,458 cm3 (65 x 110)
1924 1931 SCAT Ceirano S 150 Mono-block 4 cylinders 1,458 cm3 (65 x 110)
1926 1928 SCAT Ceirano 250 Mono-block 4 cylinders 2,297 cm3 (75 x 130)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ceirano Historia". autopasion18.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  2. ^ "SCAT". carsfromitaly.net. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  3. ^ Lancia, the essentials
  4. ^ History of Targa Florio
  5. ^ History of Targa Florio - 1911
  6. ^ a b Autosport, 2008, research profile of Cyril Snipe
  7. ^ History of Targa Florio - 1912
  8. ^ History of Targa Florio - 1913
  9. ^ History of Targa Florio - 1914
  10. ^ Donatella Biffignandi, Centro di Documentazione del Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile di Torino
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