Founded in Turin in 1905 by marquis Pallavicino and by a young engineer who would reach great fame, Giulio Cesare Cappa. Despite the early death of Pallavicino, Aquila went down in history for having experimented with brilliant innovations conceived by Cappa: aluminum pistons, monobloc engine, baty-carter, and, since 1915, electric starting and lighting systems. The company also had an intense racing activity, with drivers such as Meo Costantini, Eugenio Beria d’Argentina, and Giovanni Marsaglia. The outbreak of WWI imposed a difficult plant conversion. In 1917 Aquila Italiana was absorbed by SPA, after having produced about 1,500 cars.