Giovanni Battista Ceirano
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Battista Ceirano (1860–1912) was an Italian entrepreneur and car pioneer.
Born in Cuneo
in 1860, Ceirano is the eldest of three brothers who were pioneers of the Italian car industry. At the age of twenty, devoured by the "sacred fire of mechanics", leaves for Turin
with the aim to broaden his technical horizon, which was too limited at his father's small watchmaker workshop.
In 1888, after eight years of "apprenticeship", he rented a storage space and started to built bicycles with his brothers John and Matthew. The bicycles were sold under the name of Welleyes, because at the time English names had more clout with the public.
At the end of 1898 the company Ceirano GB & C
was founded with the intention to build cars. Among the workers was Vincenzo Lancia
, who founded Lancia
.
The first car was designed by Aristide Faccioli. It was equipped with a small twin engine (663 cc) and a two speed gearbox. This car was also named Welleyes and presented to the public in mid 1899.
Due to the success of this car a small-series production was planned. This was impossible to implement in the cramped spaces of Ceirano GB & C.. For this reason, Ceirano contacted members of the aristocracy and finance Turin in order to form a company that can build a factory. The preliminary agreement was reached on July 1, 1899, signed by the group of aristocrats. On July 11, 1899 Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino - Fiat
was officially founded.
When Fiat acquired the "Ceirano GB & C." Ceirano share was paid out and he was given the job of a sales agent for Italy.
Being a representative was not the aspiration of Ceirano and he left Fiat after only one year: He founded "F.lli Ceirano" which became STAR (Società Torinese Rapid Cars). In 1905 he retired in Bordighera
where he died in 1912.
Born in Cuneo
Cuneo
Cuneo is a city and comune in Piedmont, Northern Italy, the capital of the province of Cuneo, the third largest of Italy’s provinces by area...
in 1860, Ceirano is the eldest of three brothers who were pioneers of the Italian car industry. At the age of twenty, devoured by the "sacred fire of mechanics", leaves for Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
with the aim to broaden his technical horizon, which was too limited at his father's small watchmaker workshop.
In 1888, after eight years of "apprenticeship", he rented a storage space and started to built bicycles with his brothers John and Matthew. The bicycles were sold under the name of Welleyes, because at the time English names had more clout with the public.
At the end of 1898 the company Ceirano GB & C
Ceirano GB & C
The Ceirano GB & C was a historic automobile company, founded in October 1898 by Giovanni Battista Ceirano, Emanuele di Bricherasio, Attilio Calligaris, Pietro Fenoglio and Cesare Goria Gatti....
was founded with the intention to build cars. Among the workers was Vincenzo Lancia
Vincenzo Lancia
Vincenzo Lancia was an Italian pilot, engineer and founder of Lancia.Vincenzo Lancia was born in the small village of Fobello on 24 August 1881, close to Turin...
, who founded Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
.
The first car was designed by Aristide Faccioli. It was equipped with a small twin engine (663 cc) and a two speed gearbox. This car was also named Welleyes and presented to the public in mid 1899.
Due to the success of this car a small-series production was planned. This was impossible to implement in the cramped spaces of Ceirano GB & C.. For this reason, Ceirano contacted members of the aristocracy and finance Turin in order to form a company that can build a factory. The preliminary agreement was reached on July 1, 1899, signed by the group of aristocrats. On July 11, 1899 Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino - Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
was officially founded.
When Fiat acquired the "Ceirano GB & C." Ceirano share was paid out and he was given the job of a sales agent for Italy.
Being a representative was not the aspiration of Ceirano and he left Fiat after only one year: He founded "F.lli Ceirano" which became STAR (Società Torinese Rapid Cars). In 1905 he retired in Bordighera
Bordighera
Bordighera is a town and comune in the Province of Imperia, Liguria .-History:The city was founded around the 4th century BC by the Ligures....
where he died in 1912.