Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
The Chiribiri 12 hp Torpedo by Carrozzeria Balbo.
The Chiribiri 12 HP Torpedo, bodied by Carrozzeria Balbo, was produced circa 1920 in Turin by the Italian manufacturer Chiribiri & C. The vehicle was based on the standard 12 HP chassis, introduced by Chiribiri in 1919 as a light touring car positioned within the lower displacement segment of the postwar Italian automotive market. The company, founded by Antonio Chiribiri in 1910, had initially specialized in aviation components and later shifted to automobiles, producing a limited number of small-displacement vehicles and racing cars until its closure in 1929. The 12 HP chassis employed a ladder frame construction with longitudinal steel members and cross bracing. The front and rear axles were suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs. Braking was provided by mechanically actuated drum brakes on the rear wheels only. The powertrain consisted of a front-mounted inline four-cylinder engine with a side-valve configuration. Displacement was 1,593 cubic centimetres, and the rated power output was approximately 19 horsepower at 2,200 revolutions per minute. The engine was coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox with reverse. The drivetrain layout featured a rear-mounted differential, connected by a propeller shaft, forming an early variant of what would later be described as a transaxle system. The body was produced by Carrozzeria Balbo, also based in Turin, known for manufacturing bespoke coachwork on various Italian chassis during the interwar period. The torpedo configuration featured a four-passenger open touring layout with separate fenders, a vertical windshield, and a rear-mounted spare wheel. Body construction was conventional for the period, using a steel or wood frame with sheet metal panels. Chassis and production records from the period are limited, and surviving examples of the 12 HP Torpedo are rare. The specific vehicle bodied by Balbo represents one of the few known examples of the collaboration between Chiribiri and independent coachbuilders. It reflects typical design and engineering standards of the early 1920s for light passenger cars in Italy. This model formed part of Chiribiri’s attempt to transition from aviation to road transport production in the immediate post-First World War period, occupying a modest position in the broader landscape of Italian motor manufacturing during the early interwar years.
Carrozzeria Balbo was one of Italy’s many independent coachbuilders that played a crucial role in shaping automotive design but never achieved widespread recognition. While names like Pininfarina and Bertone dominate discussions about Italian automotive styling, Balbo remained a quieter presence, crafting elegant and innovative designs that often went uncredited. However, its impact on the world of fuoriserie (custom-built cars) remains significant.
