Description
This model is the ultimate 750 Sport for competition. After the Siluro versions, Bandini designed a more streamlined wraparound body, in the great tradition of Italian roadsters designed for the long straights of the Mille Miglia. The Bandinis had nothing to be ashamed of against competitors such as Osca, Siata, Stanguellini or sometimes even Maserati. The cars were built by hand in Bandini's workshops by craftsmen from the Caproni aircraft factories.
Ilario Bandini himself nicknamed the 750 Sport 'Saponetta' (little bar of soap) because of its smooth shape. The car was based on the Siluro, which had already achieved success in racing in Italy and the United States. The term 'Internazionale' referred to the new name for the category, but also to pay tribute to the company's successes in America. The Saponetta was equipped with the second version of the Bandini 750 engine, with double overhead camshafts and the intermediate distributor.
According to Dino Bandini, a total of nine Saponettas were built. For the car we present, an origin from 1957 and signed by Ilario Bandini contains some interesting details, such as the weight of the bare chassis (18 kg) and the curb weight of the car (350 kg). It specifies that engine no. 756 was fitted, a 747cc unit developing 68 hp at 8500 rpm. Thanks to its light weight and high specific output, it can be influenced with the best models in its class, achieving eventual victories in several Italian races. Power can be used to over 100 HP and a Saponetta has been bench tested with 112 HP in the US.
All Saponettas had air intakes on the side of the body intended to evacuate warm air from the engine; the small differences in these intakes help distinguish the different cars. Two identical figures were displayed in the 1957 Mill Miglia. One (no. 156) was assigned to Carlo Camisotti and Giovanni Sintoni, the other (no. 137) to Bruno Garavini. This Bandini is identified as No. 156. In 1957 the car competed in other races, including the 6 Ore di Vallelunga with Bandini himself and the Trento-Bondone climb with Massimo Bondi.
Bandini raced the car (chassis 150-160) for a number of years, fitting an 850cc and then a 1000cc engine, and the last photos we have of him with it date from late around 1964. He sold the car in the late 60s or the early 70s, and was not heard of again until 1998, when it was bought back by Dino Bandini in America. At that time it was in poor condition but Dino Bandini has confirmed that no engine was completely fitted, but the original 750cc engine was supplied with the car. According to him, it is the only one of the two cars that participated in the 1957 Mille Miglia that still has its original engine. When the restoration was completed, Dino Bandini happily took part in the Mille Miglia Storica twice, in 2002 and 2003
The rich history, combined with its sublime styling and brilliant design, makes it an exceptional car, equipped with an ASI plate (no. 16861) and its FIA passport.
Racing history:
1957
Mille Miglia, Camisotti – Sintoni
Trento – Bondone, Bondi
6 Ore di Vallelunga, Bandini, 7th in class
1958
Monza
Predappio – Rocca delle Camirate, class win
Autodromo di Modena, class win
Bologna – San Luca, class win
Compiano – Vetto d'Enza, class win
1959
Compiano – Vetto d'Enza, 3rd overall
Cesenatico, Govoni
Coppa della Consuma
Coppa Sant Ambroeus Monza
6 Ore di Vallelunga, 3rd overall
Trapani – Monte Erice
Trento – Bondone
Predappio – Rocca delle Camirate, class win
1960
6 Ore di Vallelunga, Massimo Bondi (with Osca engine)
Sasso – Superga
Val d'Aosta – Pila, 2nd in class
Vergato – Celilio
Cesenatico
1961 (1000cc)
Compiano – Vetto d'Enza, Bandini, overall winner
Trento – Bondone, Bandini, 7th overall
Salsomaggiore – Sant Antonio, Bandini, 7th overall
Predappio – Rocca delle Camirate, Bandini, 2nd overall
Vallelunga, Bandini, 5th overall
1962 (1000cc)
Parma – Poggi di Berceto
Predappio – Rocca delle Camirate, Bandini, class win
Coppa Chieti, Bandini, 3rd overall
Coppa della Consuma, Bandini, 6th in class
Bologna – Raticosa, Bandini, 4th in class
Vinci – S. Baronto, Bandini, 3rd overall
Vallelunga, Bandini, 4th in class
Coppa Galenga, Bandini, 3rd overall
1963
Coppa Consuma, 5th in class
Vallelunga, 5th in class
1964
Trento – Bondone, Bandini, 4th in class
Ascoli – San Marco, Bandini, 4th in class
Predappio – Rocca delle Camirate, 4th in class
Coppa Chieti, Benelli
