Bandini Automobili

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Bandini Automobili

Type	Defunct (1992)
Founded	1946
Headquarters	Forlì, Italy
Key people	Eng. H.C. Ilario Bandini, founder
Industry	Automobile
Products	Sports cars
Website	www.ilariobandini.it www.bandinicars.com

Bandini Automobili was an Italian automobile manufacturer that existed between 1946 and 1992. It was named after its founder Ilario Bandini.

Founded in 1946 in Bandini’s hometown, the first Bandini used a modified Fiat 1100 engine, cradled in a tubular steel frame with a hand-hammered aluminum body. Many other post-war Italian sports car companies followed a similar design. But Bandini’s sharp mind, racing knowledge and his eye for detail ensured that Bandini cars were a force to be reckoned with in Europe and the US.

Interest in America surged when Bandini Siluros with their screaming 750-cc engines and wildly flared front fenders won SCCA class championships in 1955 and 1957. Hardly modified Crosley engines became famous thanks their DOHC Bandini heads. (more racing info bellow) Bandini himself continued to race in Italy, including the Mille Miglia, while newer models were being built and developed at the factory. One of these included the new 1957 Sport International. It was a two-seat sports car with a tubular steel frame and room for engines of up to 1.0 liter. The design of the car body was very striking. The smooth lines and petite dimensions earned the car the Italian nickname of Saponetta, or “little soap.”The formula 3 of 1954 had 4 disc brake which was very early for italian cars or any car manufacurer. The Bandini GT, Zagato bodied raced in daytona and 12 hours of sebring. The coupè by Corna was a 1000cc and the engine was mounted in front.

Bandini Collection

Bandini Day, 2002

1 Racing History
2 Dedication to Ilario Bandini
- 2.1 Historical Bandini Register
3 Models
4 External links

[edit] Racing History

See also: Ilario Bandini

Ilario started as a race driver, he took part by his car to more 60 races, including hillclimbs and circuit racing also at the Mille Miglia from 1947 until 1965 (19 times first place finishes and 18 podium in 750 and 1000 class). In the United States, Bandini cars won the SCCA HM class championship in 1955 Thanks to Dolph Vilardi and in 1957 Melvin Sacks won with 5 Bandini's in the first ten positions. The successes allowed Ilario to receive the Gold Key of Daytona and later in 1981 the Laurea H.C. award in mecanichal engineering from PRODEO university of NewYork.In 1959 he produced one of the most successful and beautiful Formula Juniors. Bandinis won SCCA Class HMod races well in to the mid 1960’s, Bandini siluro won the SCCA Southwest Regional Championship from 1961-1963 and the Saponetta took 3rd in the National Hmod class in 1961. Bandini continued to make one off cars well into the 1980’s and the great "Drake of Forli" passed away in 1992.

[edit] Dedication to Ilario Bandini

Dedication to the great Ilario Bandini

Cover of the book, authors Franco Fabbri and Cesare Sangiorgi.

On Saturday the 16th of November 2002 the city of Forlì, Italy remembers Ilario Bandini. Bandini Ilario is considered one of the most important Italian constructors of performance sports and race cars. Born in Ville Rovere close to Forli, on April 18th, 1911, the city dedicated a plaza (or town square) to honor his name and great activity.

[edit] Historical Bandini Register

From 1992 in the last workshop of Bandini, Ilario's family preserve any kind of documents and collect the most representative cars. Ten Bandinis are in show on demand to Bandini owners or only enthusiastics. 46 Bandinis still existing from U.S. to Japan are acknowledged by the Register. It defend and diffuse the brand, the history of Ilario Bandini and his cars.