1907 Targa Florio - Vittorio Gremo in a Junior 28/40 finished 16th
Fabbrica Junior Torinese d'Automobili, Ceirano Junior, Junior F.J.T.A., was an Italian automobile manufacturer based in Turin which was founded by Giovanni Ceirano in 1905. The Junior, often known as F.J.T.A., was made from 1905 until 1909 (or 1910.[1])
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.[2] 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 1905 Giovanni also left Ceirano GB & C to found his own company - Fabbrica Junior Torinese d'Automobili, branded as Junior and F.J.T.A.
History
1907 Targa Florio - Guido de Martino in a Junior 28/40 from Fabbrica Junior Torinese d'Automobili
In 1904 Giovanni Ceirano founded the car manufacturer 'Ceirano Junior & C.' in Turin, but by 1905 he renamed it Fabbrica Junior Torinese d'Automobili. By 1906 he may have left or reduced his interest as he also founded S.C.A.T. (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino), also in Turin. In 1907 the company merged with Officine Turkheimer per Automobill e Velocipedi (O.T.A.V.). Production ceased in 1909 (or 1910[1]) but 'Momo F. & C.', one of the Italian dealers, acquired the stock and sold off the remaining vehicles.
Cars
Throughout the company's 5-year existence the cars were variously badged as Junior and Junior Ceirano. The range included :
a 16/20 hp four cylinder model which resembled the standard Mercedes designs of the period. To wit - the cylinders were cast in two blocks of two cylinders, with side valves, a T-head design and chain drive to the rear wheels.[1]
a 28/40 hp produced from 1907 to 1909. It used a 4-cylinder 8,000cc engine that developed 45 hp, giving a top speed of 100 km / h. It was priced at 11,500 lire for the chassis and it achieved some success in the Targa Florio of 1907 and 1908.
Competition
1908 Targa Florio - Giuseppe Tamagni in a Junior 16/20 FJTA
On 22 April 1907 Vittorio Gremo finished 16th at the secondTarga Florio. Driving a Junior 28/40 with number "8B" for the official factory team he completed 3 laps of the Madonie circuit, covering 277.42 miles in 9 hours 13 minutes 28 seconds, and finishing 56 minutes behind the winner - Felice Nazzaro in a Fiat. His team mate Guido de Martino, driving a Junior 28/40 with number "8C", retired on the third lap, whilst Francesco Tololli, driving a Junior 28/40 with number "8A", did complete only one lap.[3][4]
On 18 May 1908 Giuseppe Tamagni finished 6th at the thirdTarga Florio. Driving a Junior 16/20 with number 3A for the factory team he completed 3 laps of the Madonie circuit, covering 277.42 miles in 9 hours 56 minutes 9 seconds.[3][5]
^ abcdefThe Complete Encyclopedia of the Motor Car, 1885 to the Present, by G.N. Georgano, Ebury Press, 1973. page 397. Junior (i); F.J.T.A. Italy, 1905 -1910
