Itala was an exotic car manufacturer in Turin, Italy from 1904-1934, started by Matteo Ceirano and five partners in 1903. Their first car won a hill climb, the year after they won the Coppa Florio and the year after that the Targa Florio. In 1907 Itala won the Peking-Paris Marathon by three weeks. These sporting successes helped sales dramatically, the company continued to grow and, at the beginning of WW1, offered a wide range of cars. Unfortunately, due to the war Itala had to build aeroplane engines but at a loss. By about 1925 the company was being run under receivership and after many attempts to revive the company, Itala was closed in 1934.

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