Lot 227: 1929 Ansaldo Tipo 22

Following the First World War, the 'Societa Gio. Ansaldo &Co', established in Genova in 1853 by the engineer Giovanni Ansaldo was looking for ways to utilise its excess manufacturing capacity which was built up to support the military. It was decided to use the plant in Turin, then part of the aircraft manufacturing section of the company, to produce automobiles, the conversion taking place in 1918, with the first production car leaving the plant in the following year. The first models were known as the 4A and 4B, followed in 1922 by the 'Ansaldo 4C'. Sales went quite well, with around 287 selling in 1920 and 443 in 1921. All used an 1846cc in-line four-cylinder engine with 35bhp in the 4C. The 4C was built on a chassis available in two lengths, short chassis for torpedo and spider and long chassis for six-seat coupe bodies. A sport version, the 4CS, powered by a 2-litre four cylinder engine with overhead valves, included a young Nuvolari amongst its drivers. The later 6B model featured a six-cylinder in-line 1991cc engine with 50bhp. Following banking problems the company changed hands in 1923 (leaving the Ansaldo 'empire'), but car production continued unbroken. At this time there were approximately 200 staff, production output was between 1000 and 2000 cars per year. The Tipo 10, with a smaller 1.5-litre engine was built from 1926 to 1929. From 1927, in which year the controlling interest again changed hands, a new range of car were introduced, a four cylinder 37bhp or 60bhp Tipo 14, 15 and a 15GS and Tipo 18, with the six cylinder 2780cc, 67bhp to the eight cylinder 3536cc, 86bhp Tipo 22, the latter two for export. A total of around 400 of the Tipo 18 and 22 cars were made. The Type 22 you see here today, chassis 22091 was sadly one of the last Ansaldo's to be built by the manufacturer. Aimed squarely at the export market to compete with the likes of Bugatti, Duesenberg, Rolls Royce and Bentley it was ultimately produced inonly seven examples before the closure of the factory making this the rarest and most collectable of the various Ansaldo models. The car features an inline 3500 cc eight cylinder engine and three headlight configuration with division for driver. It is important to stress the rarity of this car: Only one other example is known to exist which is displayed at the well known Nicolis museum near Verona. Many of theinterior fittings and features are unique to this car. The car has featured in the book 'Cento Italiane Vive' by Edizioni Domus. A unique opportunity to acquire a very special piece of Italian motoring history. The car is Italian registered with the number T0E43124 and is supplied with the original black registration plates and papers from the ASI, the Italian historic register.Une de 7 Ansaldo 22 construit desquelles seulement une autre survit dans le collection du musee Nicolis pres de Verone, cette concurrent Italien de Rolls-Royce et Duesenberg avec un moteur a 8 cylindres et 3,5 litre possede les documents Italien de circulation et les papiers ASI, le registre Italien des voitures classiques.