Indy Racing Cars Looked Like This Wonderful Isotta Fraschini Tipo IM
Isotta Fraschini was founded in January 1900 at the behest of Cesare Isotta and Vincenzo Fraschini, but began to build own cars from 1904. The first model to see the light had a 4-cylinder engine capable of delivering 24 horses and was deployed in various competitions by Vincenzo Fraschini himself. The Tipo IM you can admire in these photographs represents one of the most interesting pre-war models existing today, thanks to the inspiration of the engineer Giustino Cattaneo who realized the most aerodynamic shape possible in view of one of the most important competitions in the world, the 1913 and 1914 Indianapolis race, in which this same specimen has been driven by the legendary American racing driver Teddy Tetzlaff.
The engine is an in-line 4-cylinder, but the dimensions are truly exceptional. It is in fact a 7.2cc that produces 135 hp at just 2,350 rpm through a 4-speed mechanical gearbox. Its featherweight therefore allows high speeds and the fact that between the driver and the external environment there was no type of protection, did nothing but to put hopes in the four drum brakes and especially in the skills of those who would grip the wheel that literally seems coming out of the engine compartment. A beautiful car designed for real heroes and auctioned last year in Pebble Beach for $ 2,645,000.
Words by Marco Mancino / Photos by Gooding & Company