Let $G=({\mathbb Z}/a\rtimes{\mathbb Z}/b) \times \SL_2(\mathbb{F}_p)$, and let $X(n)$ be an $n$-dimensional $CW$-complex of the homotopy type of an $n$-sphere. We study the automorphism group $\Aut (G)$ in order to compute the number of distinct homotopy types of spherical space forms with respect to free and cellular $G$-actions on all $CW$-complexes $X(2dn-1)$, where $2d$ is the period of $G$. The groups ${\mathcal E}(X(2dn-1)/\mu)$ of self homotopy equivalences of space forms $X(2dn-1)/\mu$ associated with free and cellular $G$-actions $\mu$ on $X(2dn-1)$ are determined as well.

Given a continuous map $\delta$ from the circle $S$ to itself we want to find all self-maps $\sigma\colon S\to S$ for which $\delta\circ\sigma = \delta$. If the degree $r$ of $\delta$ is not zero, the transformations $\sigma$ form a subgroup of the cyclic group $C_r$. If $r=0$, all such invertible transformations form a group isomorphic either to a cyclic group $C_n$ or to a dihedral group $D_n$ depending on whether all such transformations are orientation preserving or not. Applied to the tangent image of planar closed curves, this generalizes a result of Bisztriczky and Rival [1]. The proof rests on the theorem: {\it Let $\Delta\colon\bbd R\to\bbd R$ be continuous, nowhere constant, and $\lim_{x\to -\infty}\Delta(x)=-\infty$, $ \lim_{x\to+\infty}\Delta (x)=+\infty$; then the only continuous map $\Sigma\colon\bbd R\to\bbd R$ such that $\Delta\circ\Sigma=\Delta$ is the identity $\Sigma=\id_{\bbd R}$.