Engineering Magazines

At that time Italy was a poor country, they soon realized that with their limited car market, and luxury car market the need, indeed the necessity to export their products. The enterprising partners first shipped a car to the United Sates in 1902 and established the Isotta Import Company in New York just five years later. In 1908, Isotta won Sicily’s super tough Targea Florio race and notched up more than several important auto races in America. Two years later, the Italians launched the mighty KM model, which sported 10.6 liter, four cylinder, and sixteen valve engine. It would storm along at 90 mph at a time when few aircraft could achieve that in flight.After World War I, Isotta Fraschini decided to concentrate on the lucrative and prestigious luxury end of the automotive market. The 5.9 liter Tipo 8 arrived in 1909 – powered by the world’s first series production straight eight engine, and was later joined, then replaced by the Tipo 8A. Customers purchased a chassis and ordered whatever body tickled their fancy from a coachbuilder. The well known high end coachbuilder of the time Sala and Castanga accounted for most of them. Others built to the likes of Fleetwood and Barker.

One of the lighter and more powerful Super Spinto versions of the *A finished sixth in the first Mille Miglia , driven by none other than Count Maggi , one of the 1000 -mile road race founders and originators. He was accompanied by Bindo Maserati. Bindo and his brother Alfieri were then working for Isota Fraschini as testers. Most of the parts for the first Masaerati cars were made at Isotta’s factory on Via Monterosa in Milan.

Launched in April 1931, the Tipo 8B is generally considered as Isotto Fraschini’s finest automobile product. It offered more performance than its predecessor. About 950 of these fine motor vehicles were manufactured and sold. The Tipo 8B Automobile product line encountered strong opposition from the likes of Rolls-Royce, Hispano and Bugatti. By the mid nineteen thirties the Isotta Frascnini car production system and enterprise was out of the automobile business. It made a short comeback after the time period approximately of the post Second World War II period when the Tipo 8C Monterosa appeared to a fanfare of postwar trumpets. The Post World War II Tipo 8C Monterosa was a most interesting concept car of its time period – a very big car with a V-8 engine its tail. Rather unbelievably, or perhaps

We owe a debit of gratitude to these early luxury automobile innovators and producers in that what we take today for automotive vehicle features , engineering as well as reliability started early on with the expectations of purchasers of these luxury automobile products.

A decade ago motorcycles had speed, looks, and style. They have certainly improved with each passing year. Year after year motorcycle manufacturers get more innovative, produce faster, lighter and more comfortable motorcycles, and learn what works and what doesn’t. What are the favorites from 2007?

- Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer.

These motorcycles have a V2 engine with an electric starter and a liquid cooling system. The seat was 28.1 inches and the dry weight was 668 pounds. It was made with a double cradle frame and a telescopic fork front suspension with a swingarm rear suspension. These motorcycles had single disc rear brakes and double disc front brakes. They have a fuel capacity of 4.88 gallons.

- BMW R1200GS

These motorcycles have a two cylinder boxer engine. They also have an electronic fuel injection with an electric starter. These motorcycles had oil and air cooled engines and a 6-speed gearbox. At 438 pounds, they were meant for speed. These off road motorcycles came in desert yellow metallic, rock red metallic, ocean blue metallic, or granite gray metallic. Though the fuel capacity is a whopping 5.28 gallons, the consumption is 1.45 gallons for every 6.2 miles.

- Yamaha WR 450 F

These are also off road motorcycles. They have a single cylinder engine, with a liquid cooling system. At just 246 pounds, it is nearly two-thirds the weight of the BMW R1200GS motorcycles. The front suspension is a telescopic fork, the rear a swingarm. The fuel capacity on these motorcycles is a mere 2.10 gallons. These motorcycles had single disc brake systems for both front and rear.

- Yamaha FZ1 Fazer

These naked motorcycles had in line four engines with an electric starter. They also had a liquid cooling system, a final drive chain transmission, and digital ignition. Like the BMW R1200GS, these Yamaha motorcycles weighed 438 pounds. The frame was aluminum die cast and the front suspension was telescopic upside down forks. The rear a swingarm suspension. These motorcycles had double disc front brakes and single disc rear brakes. Fuel capacity on these motorcycles is 4.76 gallons.

- Harley Davidson VRSCX

These custom or cruiser motorcycles have a V2 engine. They have an electronic sequential port fuel injection system and liquid cooling system. The seat is a mere 27.1 inches high and the weight 637 pounds. These motorcycles are 5-speed with a final drive belt transmission. The front and rear brakes are both single disc four piston. These motorcycles came in two tone mirage orange pearl or brilliant silver pearl. It has a 5 gallon fuel capacity.

- Victory Vegas Jackpot

Like the Harley Davidson VRSCX, these motorcycles are also custom or cruiser motorcycles. With a V2 engine, an air cooling system, and final drive belt transmission, it has many of the same features as the Harley Davidson VRSCX motorcycles. It has an electronic fuel injection system and a 6-speed gearbox. These motorcycles had an even shorter seat at 25.7 inches high. Though the seat was lower, they were a bit heavier weighing 659 pounds. The fuel capacity was 4.5 gallons and colors included black, orange crush, or sunset red.