1901-1910
At the Milan Fair of 1901, the newly founded company Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino displayed two buses and a rather unusual trailer for the fire brigade: this opened the way for what was to be the very first truck, the 24HP from 1903.
The 24 Horse Power marked the start of light commercial vehicle production for Fiat. It was rather small (as were all vehicles at the time), with dimensions not very different from those of a modern light commercial vehicle, but with the functions and capacity of a truck: its platform of seasoned wood could hold up to 4000 kg of cargo.
Given the nature of the 24 HP (which was revolutionary for its time), a process of experimentation was needed: three prototypes were built. Tests followed, and the 24 HP passed them all, so well that even the Italian Armed Forces took an interest in the new vehicle.
In 1906, a limited number of 24HP models were produced, while its successor, the 18-24HP truck, was to be successfully mass produced.
Image captions:
(1) 24 HP transport truck. Note the raised driving position, steering column and, next to the gear lever, the handbrake. The name '24 HP' came from the power of the engine, measured in 'Horse Power'. The 24HP was produced from 1903 to 1905.
(2) The original project for the 24HP truck, built in Corso Dante 35-37 in Turin, in the very first Fiat factory, inaugurated on 19 March 1900 and employing 150 workers.
Images kindly provided by the Fiat Historic Archive.
