Isotta-Fraschini
was established as Fabbrica Automobili Isotta-Fraschini as a
builder of high-quality automobiles. They produced their first
aircraft engine in 1910. These first engines were water-cooled
in-line four-cylinder engines.
During World War I, Isotta-Fraschini produced
mostly 6-cylinder engines although the V.5 of 1915 was an in-line 8.
Between wars, Isotta-Fraschini developed many
different engines so that by World War II they had a large number of
engine types all made in small numbers.
Unable to make the switch from military to
civilian production after World War II, Isotta-Fraschini was
liquidated.
The Isotta-Fraschini name was resurrected by Breda
in 1955.