The Ceirano brothers,
Giovanni Battista,
Giovanni,
Ernesto and
Matteo, were influential in the founding of the Italian auto industry, being variously responsible for :
Ceirano;
Welleyes (the technical basis of F.I.A.T.);
Fratelli Ceirano;
S.T.A.R. / Rapid (
Società Torinese Automobili Rapid);
SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino);
Itala and
S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili). Giovanni's son Giovanni "Ernesto" was also influential, co-founding
Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (aka
Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) and
Fabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA). In 1888, after eight years apprenticeship at his father's watch-making business, Giovanni Battista started building
Welleyes bicycles, so named because English names had more sales appeal. In October 1898 Giovanni Battista and Matteo co-founded
Ceirano GB & C and started producing the
Welleyes motor car in 1899. In July 1899 the plant and patents were sold to
Giovanni Agnelli and produced as the first
F.I.A.T.s - the
Fiat 4 HP. Giovanni Battista was employed by Fiat as the agent for Italy, but within a year he left to found
Fratelli Ceirano & C. which in 1903 became
Società Torinese Automobili Rapid (S.T.A.R.) building cars badged as 'Rapid'. In 1904
Matteo Ceirano left Ceirano GB & C to create his own brand -
Itala. In 1906 Matteo left Itala to found
S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili) with chief designer,
Alberto Ballacco. In 1906 Giovanni founded
SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino) in Turin. In 1919 Giovanni and Giovanni "Ernesto" co-founded
Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (aka
Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) and in 1922 they took control of
Fabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA). ==Career==