Aluminium Pistons Who Was First?

Posted by Packard53 On 2007/12/26 21:38:15

It has always been claimed in Packard circles by some so-called Packard historians, that Packard was the first automotive manufacturer to use aluminium pistons in automotive engines.

Just got done reading some history on the use of aluminium pistons in car engines. From two different sources that I have in my library seems to that might not be the case that Packard was the first.

The first car manufacture to use aluminium pistons in their engines was the auto firm of Aquila Italiana located in Turin Italy from 1906 to 1914. An engineer for the firm named S.M. Viale was the one who first started experimenting with aluminium pistons.

Aquila Italiana started producing cars in 1906 building four and six cylinder engines. These engines were the first to use aluminium pistons.

I just kind of wonder who might be right and who is wrong. Seems PI and PAC both publish lists claiming Packard was the first. Packard certainly had to among the first in the US to do so.

John F. Shireman