Enrico Nardi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Enrico Nardi (Bologna, 1907 - August 23, 1966) was an italian racing car driver, engineer and designer.^[1]^[2]^[3]

He worked at Lancia (1929-37) as a truck-engineer, racing car driver and later, as an advisor to Vincenzo Lancia. With Augusto Monaco, he created the Nardi/Monaco «Chichibio» using a 998 cc JAP engine from JA Prestwich Industries Ltd, rated at 65 bhp (48 kW) 300 kg (661 lb) 180 km/h (110 mph) (1933). It was driven by Giulio Aymini in local hill climbs (1932). Enrico Nardi also competed in Mille Miglia, in a Fiat 508 Balilla with J. McCain (1935) and M. Trivero (1936), as well as a Lancia Augusta berlina with Vittorio Mazzonis (1937) and Lancia Aprilia with P. U. Gobbato (1938).^[4]

At Scuderia Ferrari (1937-46), Nardi became known for setting up the Fiat 508-chassis for the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 (1940), which he also raced in Mille Miglia with owner Lotario Rangoni (1940).

[edit] Nardi-Danese

After World war II, he and Renato Danese established a workshop in Via Vincenzo Lancia, Torino, racing cars, prototypes and small-series special designs

750 Nardi was a cycle-fendered 50 bhp, 746 cc BMW flat twin motorcycle engine on a Fiat 500 chassis, made as monoposto (one-door) or due posti (two-door). Smaller 498 cc-engined cars were also made
Nardi-Danese 1500 sport built for Marco Crespi (1947) coupled two 746 cc in series on the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 chassis.^[5]
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 variations in two series (1948-49).

Nardi himself raced the monoposto in Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti (winner, 1947; 1948). It was also represented at Targa Florio (three drivers, did not finish, 1952).

[edit] Nardi & C. S.a.S.

His own workshop was established in Via Lancia (1951), focusing on prototypes and tuning equipment. Some of these prototypes were

an F2 prototype developed with Gianni Lancia using mid/rear-mounted 140 bhp (100 kW) Lancia Aurelia engine (six Dell'Orto carburators), and aluminum bodywork by Rocco Motto (1952).^[6]
two «Raggio Azzurro» (Blue Ray) prototypes, designed by Michelotti and built by Vignale on 4th-series Lancia Aurelia's (B20 1955, B24 1958).^[7]^[8]
Nardi 4CV was a 750 cc engine by Panhard intended for Le Mans (1953), as well as the 750 LM Crosley (1950-54). A 750 Spider was presented at 37th Paris salon (1950), body by Pietro Frua.^[9]
The «Bisiluro Damolnar» (bisiluro meaning twin torpedo) was built for Mario Damonte, Carlo Mollino & Nardi) using a Gianni engine, 737 cc, 62 bhp (46 kW) @ 7000 rpm, 450 kg (992 lb), up to 216 mph (348 km/h). It ran at Le Mans (1955).^[10] It was based on a catamaran-alike Piero Taruffi design for Cisitalia (1948), and is currently in the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Milano.
«silver ray», a Plymouth Golden Command V8 350 bhp-engined Michelotti-bodied coupe for James Simpson (1960).^[11]
single-seater on VW Beetle components, Formula Vee prototype for Hubert Brundage (1959).^[12]

Ufficine Nardi ceased to work with car prototypes in the mid-50s and specialized in speed-enhancing parts such as manifolds, crankshafts, camshafts. It has become most known for the Nardi steering wheel, initially (in 1951) using walnut but mostly using African mahogany wood. It was first fitted to a Pegaso (1952).^[13]

Nardi died from blood poisoning from exhaust gas, ^[14] after which his ufficine was ran by Barbero (1966-69) and Iseglio.