It looks sporty, it's red and trust me - it makes a lot of noise. But drive it and you'll never hear somebody scream 'It's a Zanussi!' because, to most, this is an unknown marque. Zanussi manufactured only a tiny number of cars: just seven, plus a few more based on customers' cars, mostly the Fiat 508 Balilla and the 1100. This car is a real oddity.
Fioravante Zanussi was born in 1894 at Pasiano di Pordenone, in northeast Italy, the eldest of nine children. He showed a keen in interest in all things mechanical from an early age - four of his brothers would end up working with cars, too. By the age of 16 he had a job with Anonima Aquila Italiana, a car and engine manufacturer in Turin. He soon moved to the bigger, better-established SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino), where he was assigned to the racing department.
It is important to remember that in the early 1900s the Ceirano brothers were the leading force behind the growing Italian motoring scene, and their contribution to the development of Italian cars of the period is immeasurable. SCATS won the Targa Florio in 1911, 1912 and 1914; before World War One, the racing driver Tazio Nuvolari was distributing their cars in the Veneto region. The talented and passionate young Zanussi was in exactly the right place to build his knowledge and experience.
In 1914 Zanussi was hired by FIAT (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) as an engine testing specialist, but then Italy entered the war and he was enlisted as a motorcycle courier. 'He was dreaming about aeroplanes, the new, growing force in the Army,' says Zanussi's son Ezio. As soon as he spotted an opportunity, he asked to be moved. His commanding officer did not want to lose his skills and refused to sign the necessary authorisation. So Fioravante was given a promotion but he refused it, even though he would be punished for this gesture. That's the sort of man he was.'
This story is from the September 2022 edition of Octane.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2022 edition of Octane.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
