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The Isotta-Fraschini
company of Milan
was one of the most progressive of early luxury car manufacturers. It created
the first series-built car with four-wheel brakes and was the first to offer
straight-eight engines in production. Because of the exceptional quality of
the chassis, it was sought after by the wealthy and well known, principally
those who wanted a certain amount of flash and glamour as well as elegance.
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Fleetwood Metal Body Company, a
firm set up in Pennsylvania
for the express purpose of making car bodies. Fleetwood was known for two
attributes: high quality construction and conservative styling. Clearly an
exception in terms of the second, the Isotta is
nevertheless well made.
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Milan and Turin, the two great automotive centres,
were quite separate, and family relationships were of key importance in the
industry. Felice Bianchi-Anderloni
creates Carrozzeria Touring in 1926, the principal
Milanese body builder, which clothed the majority of Isotta-Fraschini
chassis, including the few made after World War II. Isotta-Fraschini
never resumed full production, and although there have been a few attempts to
revive the name; they were without the depth of engineering skill and spirit
of innovation and quality that characterized the original company.
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