BTW I've just found out that my photo in post #19 is none other than the immortal Tazio Nuvolari in his Ansaldo at he 1922 Coppa Veronese. I thought it looked like him so I checked further.
And I've found a photo in one of my reference books of the pre-WW1 Aquila Italiana race cars, and it looks nothing like the puzzle photo. The company ceased in 1917 when it was taken over by SPA, and the more I think about it, the puzzle car does look more like an early 20s car. I've asked one of the editors to take expert advice so we can decide if the puzzle has been identified correctly.