Book Review

The new book about Bandini is now available through VeloceToday.

Bandini

Hardcover, 11x9.5", over 300 b&w and color photos, 412 pages, English and Italian

Ilario, that is, not Lorenzo, the ill fated Ferrari pilot. Ilario, known as "Lili" to his close friends, was a remarkable man, who during the course of some 30 years created the jewel-like Bandini sports racers. His story is not only fascinating, but he typifies the great time of small Italian race car constructors who planned to conquer the racing world, at least in class.

The Bandini badge featured a bantam rooster crowing (the symbol of the town of Forli), in place of the prancing horse of Ferrari or the Bull of Lamborgini. It was an appropriate device, for Bandini, a very short person, strutted and persevered until the racing world took notice of his cars and victories, primarily in the heavily contested 750cc class. Ilario ruled the roost at home as well, but never married because he was too busy chasing beautiful women "who eventually all left me because I annoyed them". One has to admire the sheer chutzpah of the guy.

Bandini as most of us recall them. The 750 sportsracer was often seen racing - and winning - in the U.S.

Likewise, one also has to admire the book which is devoted to Ilario Bandini. Like the man, it is full of life and enthusiasm; a scrapbook put together in typically Italian style, as if they had opened a blank book, and with great passion and excitement, poured between the covers the many aspects and achievements of Bandini and his cars, in no particular fashion. For that reason, it is a joy to behold. It is also informative, interesting and contains a great deal of new information. There is no table of contents but a useful index. Most of Ilario's races are recorded in detail but there is no overall listing of worldwide Bandini victories, and I am assured that there are a few minor errors in captions and with the translations.

Authors Franco Fabbri and Cesare Sangiorgi not only compiled the hundreds of clippings, letters and photos left by Bandini after his death in 1992, but interviewed many of Bandini's employees. Their stories bring a surprising depth to the Ilario Bandini story, as do many of the short contributions from friends and drivers scattered throughout the volume. There is also a long and informative chapter about Bandini in America, including accounts of Ilario's 1961 visit to Daytona Speedway.

Seventy five Bandinis were constructed in Ilario's Lancia dealership between 1947 and 1972, of which 45 have been found, restored, and listed in the book, along with the present owners. There is no listing by serial numbers, as Bandini serial numbers were not consistent, or even applicable in some cases.

"Bandini" is a tribute paid for and authorized by the nephew of Ilario Bandini, Dr. Dino Bandini. Dr. Bandini is also putting finishing touches on the Bandini Museum in Forli, which will house at least seven examples of Bandini sportsracers.

The Italian View by Lorenzo Marchesini

I had the pleasure of meeting Dott. Dino Bandini at the Padua Auto Show several months ago, and was impressed with his enthusiasm and total support of maintaining the memory of Ilario Bandini (his uncle) and his unique and famous sports race cars. Dott. Bandini's love and enthusiasm is clearly demonstrated in the book "Bandini".

Bandinis came in a variety of shapes and sizes. This sports prototype is a 1000cc rear engined effort from 1963.

The book is officially backed by the Municipality of Forli and is the result of a joint effort of Bandini's personal physician (Franco Fabbri) and one of the official drivers of the Scuderia Bandini (Cesare Sangiorgi), with the support of an internationally acclaimed car historian, journalist and driver of sports cars (Luigi Orsini). It is an initiative to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Ilario's death. Pivotal in the book is the effort by Dott. Dino Bandini, and his role as the official verifier for the marque with the ASI (Registro Automobili Storiche Italiano). In addition, Dott. Bandini has established a museum for Bandinis, which we'll feature in a later edition of VeloceToday.

While reading the book, several things come to the foreground. First, Bandini is no doubt one of the more important makes in the junior league of Italian race car manufacturers. He was respected by Ferrari whom he knew well. Bandini represents a passion for motor racing in the region Emilia Romagna. He had a brilliant mind and invented quite a lot of things under the hood! His efforts, along with those of major league legends such as Ferrrari and Maserati, have given birth to a group of smaller but highly skilled constructors that today include Dallara and Lucchini. And we should not forget the hundreds of garage operators (garagisti/elaboratori) that today still race small displacement cars in the regional championships of slaloms and hillclimbs and that still prepare the cars of a vast number of clientele (every village in the Emilia-Romagna has, one can safely state, at least one such outfit).

During his lifetime, Bandini was also honored by academia. Enzo Ferrari got his Honoris Causa Degree from the University of Bologna and the NY International University for Higher Studies "Pro Deo". Bandini, as well as Ferruccio Lamborghini, was honored by the latter in a similar way for his achievements. Bandini is less of a household name in the world compared to Ferrari and Lamborghini but nevertheless considered their equal, at least in New York, USA!

"Bandini" is a very limited edition book that is a bargain in view of its content and price! A must have on the shelves of anyone who is interested in the history of the Italian sportscar manufacturers and in particular those that come under the umbrella name of Etceterinis.

VeloceToday is proud to announce that the Bandini book is now available. There is a very limited number of copies. Books signed by Dott. Bandini are priced at $125 each (exclusive for VeloceToday) and unsigned $100 each. Please email us for details at contact@velocetoday.com. Checks only, please.