| S.C.A.T. Società Ceirano Automobili Torino | |
| Foundation: | 1906 |
| Defunct: | 1929 |
| Fate: | absorbed by Fiat in 1929, cars produced until 1932[1] |
| Location: | Turin, Italy |
| Industry: | Automotive |
| Key People: | Giovanni Battista Ceirano founder |
| Products: | Automobiles |
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.
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).
SCAT production before World War I:
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 446km (277miles) in 9 hours 32 minutes 22 seconds, an average speed of 46.8 km/h.[4] [5]
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]
Snipe drove a SCAT again in the 1913 Targa Florio race, but failed to finish.[6] [8]
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]
19 models were produced by SCAT:[10]
| Start | End | Name | Engine | Cylinders | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 1909 | Multi-block | 4 cylinders | 2,724 cm3 (85 x 120) | ||
| 1907 | 1909 | Multi-block | 4 cylinders | 3,190 cm3 (92 x 120) | ||
| 1907 | 1909 | Multi-block | 4 cylinders | 3,770 cm3 (100 x 120) | ||
| 1910 | 1911 | Multi-block | 4 cylinders | 4,398 cm3 (100 x 140) | ||
| 1912 | 1914 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 2,951 cm3 (85 x 130) | ||
| 1910 | 1911 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 2,724 cm3 (85 x 120) | ||
| 1912 | 1920 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 4,712 cm3 (100 x 150) | ||
| 1912 | 1915 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 6,284 cm3 (100 x 200) | ||
| 1914 | 1920 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 2,120 cm3 (75 x 120) | ||
| 1915 | 1916 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 3,563 cm3 (90 x 140) | ||
| 1921 | 1921 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 2,120 cm3 (75 x 120) | ||
| 1922 | 1922 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 2,220 cm3 (76 x 125) | ||
| 1922 | 1922 | Mono-block | 6 cylinders | 2,218 cm3 (64 x 115) | ||
| 1921 | 1921 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 4,712 cm3 (100 x 150) | ||
| 1921 | 1921 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 9,236 cm3 (140 x 150) | ||
| 1922 | 1922 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 1,551 cm3 (67 x 110) | ||
| 1922 | 1922 | 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 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 1,458 cm3 (65 x 110) | ||
| 1926 | 1928 | Mono-block | 4 cylinders | 2,297 cm3 (75 x 130) |