1953 BANDINI 750 SPORT SILURO

Italian title
Chassis n° 211
Engine n°753

• Ninth in class in the 1953 Mille Miglia
• Typical Italian race car of this period
• Superb specific design with tubular chassis and twin-cam engine
• Rare survivor of its type

Ilario Bandini became known for the success he enjoyed in the 750cc class. He began constructing models of this size in 1952, and these proved to be very successful in the United States, winning Class H in the SCCA Championship with Ralph Dillard in 1955 and Melvin Sachs in 1957, and second place with Henry Rudkin in 1954, 1956 and 1957. The Bandini cars they drove featured a tubular chassis designed and patented by Bandini (with oval-shaped tubes in special steel) matched with a Crosley engine featuring a twin-cam head developed by Bandini himself (called "testa piatta" for its flat shape). The Crosley engine was robust thanks to its five-bearing crankshaft, driven by shaft and bevel gears. In its standard form, it was an engine used by the navy, in aviation, fire-fighting and even as a starter for tanks. For his chassis, weighing no more than about 20 kilos, Bandini designed a lightweight, aluminium two- seater body, that was as simple as possible and fitted with cycle wings. Its shape earned it the name Siluro ("torpedo"). The focus on keeping the weight down ensured these Bandini were quick and reliable.
The first season in Italy, in 1952, didn’t go to plan as the engine failed to produce the expected power (Bandini later modified his cylinder head). Despite this, Ilario Bandini still won third in class at the Circuito di Bari and won the Bologna- Raticosa hillclimb.
For 1953, a change of regulations allowed cars to be fitted with more enveloping wings better integrated into the body and easily removed. Three cars were entered for the Mille Miglia that year, but only one crossed the finish line. It is this car that we are presenting in the sale. It was recognised, without hesitation,
by Massimo Bondi a few years ago, when Dino Bandini invited him to come and see it. In 1953, Massimo Bondi finished ninth in the 750 class. During the same season, Bandini also came third at the Circuito delle Caldaie and second at Senegallia, the race where Bondi finished fourth in our Bandini. He also finished third in class at Brindisi and second in the Bologna-Raticosa hillclimb.
In the meantime, Bandini modified his initial twin-cam head to give it the "roof" shape that it retained for a few years. The subsequent increase in power allowed the Bandini Siluros to remain competitive and successful results included a class win by Ilario Bandini in the Coppa della Consuma, followed in 1954 by a win in the Predappio-Rocca della Caminate hillclimb, and third place overall in the Bologna- Raticosa race.
We should remember that a competition car was expensive at that time and not many amateur drivers could afford one. Consequently, the small constructor Bandini arrived at race meetings with three or four cars and rented them out. Massimo Bondi was one of Bandini’s loyal drivers. It was in this chassis 211 that he finished ninth in the 1953 Mille Miglia, winning the Coppa Trofeo Franco Mazzotti, a cup that he presented to Dino Bandini on the day that he confirmed that it was indeed his car.

After a career in Italy, the car (chassis 211) was exported to the US, presumably through the sports and race car importer, Tony Pompeo. A certain TB Davies from Dallas ordered parts in 1957 suggesting he already owned a Bandini and we know that he took part in 1957 in a race in Stillwater, Texas. We also have photos of the car in the hands of John Savarese, at the end of the 1950s and start of the 1960s.
This Bandini was then bought as "chassis 211 ex. TB Davis" by an enthusiast for this type of machine, an enthusiast for this type of machine. Dino Bandini acquired it in 1998, restoring the car to its 1953 Mille Miglia specification, with a bare body. This Bandini is one of only two examples still equipped with a Crosley engine that has a "testa piatta" cylinder head. The structure and original coachwork of this car, with its retractable pivot lights, still bear the evidence of its rich racing past, which is rare to find. The engine as been recently fully restored. FIVA and ASI papers come with the car. Dino Bandini has taken part three times in this machine in the Historic Mille Miglia, in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
This car, a testament to the constructor’s ingenuity when he first started out, is special for having been so successful in its class, thanks to its strong and lightweight design. With simple bodywork and stripped out interior typical of the most radical competition cars, this machine will not only provide its new owner with an exhilarating drive, but will also take them on a wonderful journey back in time and open doors to the most prestigious historic events.

Photo © Peter Singhof

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1953-bandini-750-sport-siluro-no-reserve-4134-139