1908 Itala 100hp Grand Prix

1908 Itala 100hp Grand Prix

Known lovingly as 'Floretta', this Itala was driven in the French Grand Prix by Giovanni Piacenza. It differed slightly from the other two in that it had a slightly longer wheelbase. Piacenza's race was short-lived as the car suffered a broken gearbox on the second lap. In 1909, this car was acquired by R. Wil-de-Gose, who became a regular with Floretta at Brooklands. In 1910, he lapped the 'Outer Circuit' at just over 100 mph, which was very close to the speed set by one of the 1908 Grand Prix winning Mercedes.

Later that year, it was fitted a slightly more luxurious four-seater body by Vincent's of Reading. It was subsequently road-registered with the license plate 'LD 2301' that is still on the car. Since then it has been a prominent member of the British vintage car scene. It was famously owned by Cecil 'Sam' Clutton for over five decades before it was acquired by legendary watchmaker and collector, the late George Daniels.

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