Zust
Encyclopedia
Zust was an Italian car manufacturing company operating from 1905 to 1917.
The company was founded by engineer Roberto Züst, an Italian industrialist of Swiss origin, who owned a precision tool manufacturing plant at Intra, near Lago Maggiore (formerly the Guller & Croff iron foundry
). Züst experimented with prototypes of cars from around 1900 on and in Milan
in 1905, he founded the Zust company for manufacturing cars and commercial vehicles. His first models were huge and expensive machines propelled by four cylinder engines from 7432 cc (454cuin) to 11308 cc (690cuin). These were joined by a slightly smaller 5 litre (305cuin) model in 1908. A Zust 28/45 HP participated in the 1908 New York to Paris Race
and finished third. Giustino Cattaneo (later of Isotta Fraschini) worked for him.
In 1906 Züst decided to also make smaller cars, so with his five sons he founded a new company known as Brixia-Zust
in the city of Brescia
. (Zust and Brixia-Zust are often confused). Due to financial problems, Brixia-Zust closed down in 1912; the Milan factory was sold and production of Zust cars concentrated in Brescia, where production continued until 1914. The last new models, the 15/25 HP or 2S 365 (2592 cc/158cuin) and the 25/35 or S305 (4712 cc/288cuin), appeared in 1913.
On October 1, 1917, the company was taken over by Officine Meccaniche
of Milan, who continued to make the S305 until 1923 under their own name.
The company was founded by engineer Roberto Züst, an Italian industrialist of Swiss origin, who owned a precision tool manufacturing plant at Intra, near Lago Maggiore (formerly the Guller & Croff iron foundry
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
). Züst experimented with prototypes of cars from around 1900 on and in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
in 1905, he founded the Zust company for manufacturing cars and commercial vehicles. His first models were huge and expensive machines propelled by four cylinder engines from 7432 cc (454cuin) to 11308 cc (690cuin). These were joined by a slightly smaller 5 litre (305cuin) model in 1908. A Zust 28/45 HP participated in the 1908 New York to Paris Race
1908 New York to Paris Race
The 1908 New York to Paris Race was an automobile competition consisting of drivers attempting to travel from New York to Paris. This was a notable challenge given the state of automobile technology and road infrastructure at the time. Only three of six contestants completed the course...
and finished third. Giustino Cattaneo (later of Isotta Fraschini) worked for him.
In 1906 Züst decided to also make smaller cars, so with his five sons he founded a new company known as Brixia-Zust
Brixia-Zust
Brixia-Zust was an Italian car manufacturer founded by engineer Roberto Züst, owner of Zust company of Milan. The affiliated company was situated in Brescia, Northern Italy. These companies are often confused...
in the city of Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
. (Zust and Brixia-Zust are often confused). Due to financial problems, Brixia-Zust closed down in 1912; the Milan factory was sold and production of Zust cars concentrated in Brescia, where production continued until 1914. The last new models, the 15/25 HP or 2S 365 (2592 cc/158cuin) and the 25/35 or S305 (4712 cc/288cuin), appeared in 1913.
On October 1, 1917, the company was taken over by Officine Meccaniche
Officine Meccaniche
Officine Meccaniche or OM was an Italian car and truck manufacturing company, founded in 1899 in Milan as Societa Anonima Officine Meccaniche...
of Milan, who continued to make the S305 until 1923 under their own name.