Amédée Gordini

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Amédée Gordini (June 23, 1899 - May 25, 1979) was an Italian-born race car driver and sports car manufacturer in France.

Gordini was born in Bazzano, Province of Bologna in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. He was a young boy when he became fascinated with automobiles and racing. In his early teens, he worked as a mechanic for Alfieri Maserati. After serving in the Italian army during World War I, in 1926 he settled in Paris, France and raced cars for Fiat in Grand Prix motor racing events and at the 24 hours of Le Mans.

In the 1930s he joined with Simca to improve their engines and eventually founded the Gordini company to build a line of sports cars for racing. In the 1940s, his son Aldo joined his racing team as a mechanic and occasional driver. After World War II, obtaining financial support for racing became increasingly difficult and Gordini's long relationship with Simca ended in 1956. However, the Renault car company engaged him and Gordini notably developed the Renault Caravelle, Renault 5 Alpine Turbo and the Renault 8 amongst others.

In 1953 the government of France awarded Amédée Gordini the Legion of Honor.

Amédée Gordini died in 1979 in Paris and was buried in the Montmartre Cemetery.