1957 Bandini Saponetta

Ilario Bandini of Forli, Italy, was a trained mechanic and a successful race car driver. In 1946 he began manufacturing race cars and established Bandini Automoili. Bandini's earliest cars were built using modified Fiat components. With experience, his projects became more sophisticated and he produced sports racers with chassis of his own design. The cycle- and butterfly-fendered Bandini Siluros were beautiful and extremely competitive in both Europe and the U.S.A. In fact, Bandini won the SCCA National Class Championship in 1955 and 1957.

Bandini is particularly celebrated for the engineering masterpiece of Bandini twin cam engines. Building on the design of a Crosley crankcase, Bandini cast an all-new aluminum DOHC head and also cast the intermediate block. These engines produced impressive power and revved to over 8000 RPM with ease.

This example, chassis number 1005, is one of only 9 Saponettas ever constructed and the only right hand drive example. This car scored many class wins in the 1950s and early 1960s.

This Saponetta was owned and raced by Henry Rudkin from 1957 to 1960. Rudkin finished 4th in the 1960 SCCA National Championship. Dave Lang became the next owner and finished 3rd in the 1961 SCCA National Championship.


You may purchase a print in our dElegance 2014 online gallery.