Florentia (Italy) - AllCarIndex

Fabbrica di Automobili Florentia was an Italian automobile manufacturer based in Florence, active from 1903 to 1912. The company was founded by Giustino Cattaneo and Antonio Chiribiri, both of whom later achieved notable success in the automotive industry. Cattaneo became a prominent designer at Isotta-Fraschini, while Chiribiri established his own car brand.

The early models produced by Florentia were conventional two-cylinder vehicles, which showcased the engineering capabilities of the founders. In 1905, the company acquired a license to manufacture Rochet-Schneider cars, initially producing the 16 and 24 horsepower models equipped with four-cylinder T-head engines. These models featured advanced components for the time, including four-speed gearboxes, honeycomb radiators, and chain drive systems.

In 1906, Florentia introduced a shaft-driven 18/22 horsepower model with a 4.4-liter engine. The following years saw the development of larger chain-driven models, including a 9.9-liter four-cylinder 40/50 and a 6.6-liter six-cylinder vehicle. In 1906, the company expanded its operations by acquiring the Venice-based S. Van shipbuilding company, which began to divert attention away from automobile production.

Although Florentia was still listed as a car manufacturer in 1912, it is unclear how long production continued beyond that year. The company's focus on shipbuilding likely contributed to a decline in automotive output, marking the end of its brief but notable presence in the early automotive industry.