The company Orio & Marchand was established towards the end of the 19th century. The company first produced bicycles, then motorcycles and, lastly, motor cars, before closing down in 1909. The “12/16 HP” model was one of the Emilia-based brand’s most accomplished cars, with a distinctive perfectly ‘square’ engine (with a bore and stroke of 120 mm x 120 mm) with 4 separate, in-line cylinders, and a very spacious “landaulet” body. Launched in 1904, it was – alongside the 10 HP – the flagship model in the Marchand range, and it was also the longest-lived, remaining in production until the brand went out of business. A race version was also made, which, however, never accomplished any significant results.
The decision to produce it was made after the prototype was successfully used to reconnoitre the route for the Giro d’Italia by driver Giuseppe Tamagni together with Costamagna and Longoni, respectively director and editor of the “Gazzetta dello Sport”, to prepare for the great motor race sponsored by the publication in 1901. This feat received widespread coverage in the newspapers of the era, so it was decided to put the car into production in 1904. A few examples were also exported to France and Great Britain.
