1954 BANDINI MONOPLACE 750 « FORMULE 3 »
Unregistered
Competition car
Chassis n° 49
Engine n° 49

• Four cars built, only two survivors
• Preserved with a superb patina
• The most affordable way to own a Bandini

In 1954, Bandini built this car to compete in races open to single- seaters. He called it a ‘Formula 3’, but at the time the category did not really exist, we assume that it was his way of referring to his 750cc single-seater. He built four of them, all equipped with a 750 Crosley engine, but the model is interesting because Bandini used it to test disc brakes fitted to all four wheels. The model made its racing début in 1954 for the third edition of the Coppa Luigi Arcangeli, held on the racetrack at Forli. Bandini finished second, behind Tazio Taraschi driving his own Taraschi.
Today, only two examples of the car are known to exist in Italy. The other car can be seen in a photograph from 1957 taken at the Syracuse circuit, when it was testing the disc brakes with which it was fitted. Dino Bandini’s car has drum brakes and a single overhead-cam 750cc Crosley engine. Sold complete with the FIA documents delivered in 1985 to its previous owner D. Galassi, who drove a Formula Junior Taraschi and a sports Bandini, this car is highly authentic. The FIA papers state that the body was partly restored and that the brakes and engine were rebuilt to their correct period specification. The car is in fine, original condition, with a very pleasing patina. Its competition history is not known, but it undoubtedly took part in hill climbs and local races in Italy. It could be kept simply as a ‘rolling sculpture’ preserving its original appearance, without necessarily returning to competition with it.

Photo © Peter Singhof

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1954-bandini-monoplace-750-formule-3-no-reserve-4134-141