The year is 1953. Ilario Bandini has been making racecars since the 1940s, mainly using Fiat engines. But his cars attracted the favour of Tony Pompeo, an Italian immigrant in New York who imported racecars. Pompeo wanted a Bandini that could complete in the under-750cc class, so he sent Ilario Bandini a lightweight 620cc four-cylinder engine, a model designed to be airdropped for generators during WWII. Bandini modified the hell out of it, lengthening the stroke, swapping out pistons, and changing the lubrication. The engine was brought up to 747cc, making it competition worthy and eventually the car to beat on the Sports Car Club of America’s H/Modified circuit.
This particular 1953 Bandini 750 Sport Siluro was owned by cartoonist Alex Raymond, the man responsible for Flash Gordon and Rip Kirby. It was recently restored, including the addition of original carbourettors. Expect it to go for at least a quarter of a million dollars.
