Italian title
Chassis n° 159

- One of the prettiest Bandini models built
- Lovely restoration, looked after by Brixia Motor Classic
- Ideal for participating in the Mille Miglia Storica
- Participated in the Mille Miglia 1957

This car took part in the 1957 Mille Miglia in the hands of Bruno Garavini, powered by the Bandini-Crosley 750 cc twin-cam engine (68 ch) designed by Ilario Bandini. Another Saponetta was also entered for the event, driven by Carlo Camisotti and Giovanni Sintoni, but the two cars had to retire with engine problems. This Saponetta (chassis 159) had a number of special details, like the small air intake on the left side at the base of the windscreen. Contrary to the registration documentation, this car was built in 1956 and not 1953. In fact, Ilario Bandini sometimes used the same plate to register different cars.
Our Bandini took part in other races in Italy up until it was bought in 1962 by a certain Giovanni Fabbri during a visit to the Bandini workshop. The car was then missing an engine and had a truncated rear body. Fabbri took it with him to Ravenna and fitted a Ford 105 E 4-cylinder engine so that he could use it regularly. Subsequently, the car was registered in Florence (FI334440) and, at the start of the 1980s, it took part in a Mille Miglia retrospective. It also regained its original rear body shape, as well as a Crosley-Bandini engine with 850 version head.
The car, in the hands of the current owner for 30 years, is in lovely condition and benefits from regular maintenance by the specialist Brixia Motor Classic, in Brescia. Sold with its old FIVA passport, it is the ideal machine for taking part in the historic Mille Miglia, or for taking part in concours d'élégance events. Here is a car that is both original and rare, being one of just nine Saponettas built by Ilario Bandini, one of his most accomplished models.

Full catalogue and more photos https://www.artcurial.com/en/sale-4315-retromobile-2023-artcurial-motorcars