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In 1835, Diatto was founded in the bustling Italian city of Turin by its founder, Guglielmo Diatto. The company was originally conceived as a carriage manufacturer but soon expanded its horizons. A few decades later, in 1874, Guglielmo’s descendants, Giovanni and Battista Diatto, began producing railroad cars, particularly for the prestigious Orient Express.

The beginning of the century brought with it new ambitions. In 1905, the next generation, Guglielmo’s grandsons, Vittorio and Pietro, began a collaboration with the French company Clément-Bayard, resulting in the birth of Diatto-Clément. By 1909, however, the company had been taken over exclusively by the Diatto family, which prompted the rebranding of the company to Autocostruzioni Diatto. This was the beginning of the company’s journey to create its own line of cars.

In the 20th century, Diatto began to make a name for itself on the world market, exporting its cars and gaining recognition as a significant player in the Italian automotive scene. The range of cars on offer was diverse, including racing sports cars that participated in famous races such as the Targa Florio. Diatto’s growth trajectory led to the establishment of production bases in its native Turin and expansion to foreign shores in France and Spain.

However, the turbulent 1920s took its toll. The company ran into financial difficulties, leading to the cessation of automobile production in 1928. Although Diatto attempted a revival in 1931, the company was unable to recapture its former glory. Unfortunately, by 1955, the curtains on Diatto’s path were closed.