Nardi (carmaker)
Encyclopedia
Ufficine Nardi was an Italian
automobile
and racing car maker, named for their creator.
Enrico Nardi
was a racing mechanic, engineer, and driver who got his start with Lancia
. He test drove the first car built by Auto Avio Costruzione
in Modena, where many ex-Lancia colleagues joined him.
In 1932, Nardi joined with Augusto Monaco
to create the Nardi-Monaco Chichibio. It used an air-cooled
998 cc 61 c JAP
of 65 bhp, 10 bhp more than the 1750 cc (107 in3) Alfa Romeo
s of its competition, transversely mounted and coupled to a five-speed gearbox, but unusually, driving the front wheels. Weighing only
672 lb (305 kg), it proved capable of 180 kilometre per hour. This was enough to win several Italian hillclimb
s, including by Giulio Aymini in 1932.
Beginning in 1948, Nardi joined with and Renato Danese and established a workshop in Via Vincenzo Lancia, Torino, building racing cars, prototypes, and small-series special designs.
The 750 Nardi-Danese or 750ND was a tiny machine, starting with a Fiat 500
chassis, powered by a 50 bhp 746 cc BMW
flat twin motorcycle engine in the extreme nose, its cylinder head
s (sometimes) exposed, a single headlight in the extreme nose. Despite the engine mounting, view over the nose was adequate, and unlike the Chicibio, the rear wheels were driven. It used a multi-tube chassis and was available as a monoposto (one-seater, or GP
type) or due posti (two-seater, sports racer
, when fitted with cycle fender
s).
Its competition, mostly superannuated MG Midget
s were no match for it, though it faced more competition from Bandini
s. The miniature marvel dominated circuit, hillclimb, and open road events. Nardi himself raced the monoposto in the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti 'climb, winning in both 1947 and 1948. There were also three entered in the 1952 Targa Florio
; all failed to finish. The 750ND remained competitive well into 1953, against the growing power of Ferrari and Maserati; at the Susa-Moncenisio 'climb, a 750ND was eighth, only 2% slower than the Ferrari of André Simon. It also made reputations for a couple of drivers, in particular later Lancia
pilot Gino Valenzano.
For 1947, the Nardi-Danese 1500 sport was built for Marco Crespi, coupling two 746 cc in series on an Auto Avio Costruzioni 815
chassis.
Around the same time, he traced the original Ferrari straight-eight castings, made in Bologna
, and fitted them with 508 heads and an assortment of internal parts, to create a 1½ liter and a 2 liter car.
In 1948 and 1949, the company built Alfa Romeo 6C
2500 variations in two series.
Nardi established his own workshop in the Via Lancia in 1951, focusing on prototypes and tuning equipment. Here, he designed or built several prototypes, including:
After the failure of the bisulruo, Ufficine Nardi ceased work on car prototypes in the mid-1950s and turned to aftermarket such as manifolds, crankshafts, camshafts. It has become best known for the Nardi steering wheel, introduced in 1951 in
walnut
, since but mostly using African mahogany
. The Nardi wheel was first fitted to a 1952 Pegaso
.
After Nardi's death in 1966, the ufficine was run by Barbero until 1969, then by Iseglio.
Nardi-Personal Website
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
and racing car maker, named for their creator.
Enrico Nardi
Enrico Nardi
Enrico Nardi was an Italian racing car driver, engineer and designer.He worked at Lancia between 1929 and 1937 as a truck engineer, racing car driver, and later, advisor to Vincenzo Lancia...
was a racing mechanic, engineer, and driver who got his start with Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
. He test drove the first car built by Auto Avio Costruzione
Scuderia Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. The team currently only races in Formula One but has competed in numerous classes of motorsport since its formation in 1929, including sportscar racing....
in Modena, where many ex-Lancia colleagues joined him.
In 1932, Nardi joined with Augusto Monaco
Augusto Monaco
Augusto Camillo Pietro Monaco was an Italian engineer, best known for his racing cars from the early 1930s....
to create the Nardi-Monaco Chichibio. It used an air-cooled
Aircooling
Air cooling is a method of dissipating heat. It works by making the object to be cooled have a larger surface area or have an increased flow of air over its surface, or both. An example of the former is to add fins to the surface of the object, either by making them integral or by attaching them...
998 cc 61 c JAP
JA Prestwich Industries Ltd
JA Prestwich Industries, was an English engineering company named after founder John Alfred Prestwich, which produced cinematographic equipment, internal combustion engines , and other examples of precision engineering.-History:J. A...
of 65 bhp, 10 bhp more than the 1750 cc (107 in3) Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
s of its competition, transversely mounted and coupled to a five-speed gearbox, but unusually, driving the front wheels. Weighing only
672 lb (305 kg), it proved capable of 180 kilometre per hour. This was enough to win several Italian hillclimb
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
s, including by Giulio Aymini in 1932.
Beginning in 1948, Nardi joined with and Renato Danese and established a workshop in Via Vincenzo Lancia, Torino, building racing cars, prototypes, and small-series special designs.
The 750 Nardi-Danese or 750ND was a tiny machine, starting with a Fiat 500
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a car produced by the Fiat company of Italy between 1957 and 1975, with limited production of the Fiat 500 K estate continuing until 1977. The car was designed by Dante Giacosa....
chassis, powered by a 50 bhp 746 cc BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
flat twin motorcycle engine in the extreme nose, its cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
s (sometimes) exposed, a single headlight in the extreme nose. Despite the engine mounting, view over the nose was adequate, and unlike the Chicibio, the rear wheels were driven. It used a multi-tube chassis and was available as a monoposto (one-seater, or GP
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
type) or due posti (two-seater, sports racer
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
, when fitted with cycle fender
Fender (vehicle)
Fender is the US English term for the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well . Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Fenders are typically rigid and can be...
s).
Its competition, mostly superannuated MG Midget
MG Midget
The MG Midget is a small two-seater sports car produced by the MG division of the British Motor Corporation from 1961 to 1979. It revived a famous name used on earlier models such as the MG M-type, MG D-type, MG J-type and MG T-type.-MG Midget MkI :...
s were no match for it, though it faced more competition from Bandini
Ilario Bandini
Ilario Bandini was an Italian businessman, racing driver, and racing car builder.-Early years:Bandini was born in Villa Rovere, today part of the administrative region of Forlì in Romagna. Upon leaving elementary school, he apprenticed as a mechanic and turner in nearby Forli...
s. The miniature marvel dominated circuit, hillclimb, and open road events. Nardi himself raced the monoposto in the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti 'climb, winning in both 1947 and 1948. There were also three entered in the 1952 Targa Florio
Targa Florio
The Targa Florio was an open road endurance automobile race held in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo. Founded in 1906, it was the oldest sports car racing event, part of the World Sportscar Championship between 1955 and 1973...
; all failed to finish. The 750ND remained competitive well into 1953, against the growing power of Ferrari and Maserati; at the Susa-Moncenisio 'climb, a 750ND was eighth, only 2% slower than the Ferrari of André Simon. It also made reputations for a couple of drivers, in particular later Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
pilot Gino Valenzano.
For 1947, the Nardi-Danese 1500 sport was built for Marco Crespi, coupling two 746 cc in series on an Auto Avio Costruzioni 815
Auto Avio Costruzioni 815
The Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 was the first car to be fully designed and built by Enzo Ferrari. Legal issues with former associates Alfa Romeo prevented Ferrari from creating the Ferrari marque. The 815 raced at the 1940 Brescia Grand Prix, where both entries failed to finish due to engine problems...
chassis.
Around the same time, he traced the original Ferrari straight-eight castings, made in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, and fitted them with 508 heads and an assortment of internal parts, to create a 1½ liter and a 2 liter car.
In 1948 and 1949, the company built Alfa Romeo 6C
Alfa Romeo 6C
The Alfa Romeo 6C name was used on road, race and sports cars made between 1925–1954 by Alfa Romeo. 6C refers to a straight 6 engine. Bodies for these cars were made by coachbuilders such as James Young, Zagato, Touring, Castagna, and Pininfarina...
2500 variations in two series.
Nardi established his own workshop in the Via Lancia in 1951, focusing on prototypes and tuning equipment. Here, he designed or built several prototypes, including:
- a monoposto with a 500 cc CarruCarrùCarrù is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 70 km south of Turin and about 30 km northeast of Cuneo....
flat twin. - a 1952 F2 prototype developed with Gianni LanciaGianni LanciaGianni Lancia is an Italian former automobile engineer, industrialist and racing enthusiast, known for running the Lancia carmaker in Torino...
using mid/rear-mounted 160 bhp Lancia AureliaLancia AureliaThe Lancia Aurelia is a car that was produced by the Italian manufacturer Lancia. Designed by Vittorio Jano, the Aurelia was launched in 1950 and production lasted until the summer of 1958....
V6 engine, fitted with six Dell'OrtoDell'OrtoDell'Orto is an Italian company, headquartered in Cabiate, specialized in the construction of carburetors and electronic injection systems. The company was founded in 1933 as "Società anonima Gaetano Dell'Orto e figli"...
carburettors and Nardi's own head and camshaftCamshaftA camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
. It featured aluminum bodywork by Rocco MottoRocco MottoRocco Motto was an Italian coachbuilding company established in 1930. The company produced bodies from Cadillacs to Delahayes....
(who also bodied Bandinis) - two Raggio Azzurro (Blue Ray) prototypes (the B20 in 1955, B24 in 1958), bodied by Michelotti and built by VignaleVignaleVignale was an Italian automobile coachbuilder company. Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale was established in 1948 at Via Cigliano, Turin by Alfredo Vignale in Grugliasco, near Turin ....
on 4th-series Aurelias. - the 4CV, powered by a 750 cc PanhardPanhardPanhard is currently a French manufacturer of light tactical and military vehicles. Its current incarnation was formed by the acquisition of Panhard by Auverland in 2005. Panhard had been under Citroën ownership, then PSA , for 40 years...
, intended for the 1953 Le MansLe MansLe Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
, as well as the 750 LM CrosleyCrosleyThe Crosley was an automobile manufactured by the Crosley Corporation and later by Crosley Motors Incorporated in the United States from 1939 to 1952.-History:...
in 1950-54. A 750 Spider was presented at 37th Paris Salon in 1950, bodied by Pietro FruaPietro FruaPietro Frua was one of the leading Italian coachbuilders and car designers during the 1950s and 1960s.-Early years:...
. - The unusual Bisiluro Damolnar (bisiluro meaning twin torpedo), with the aid of Mario Damonte and Carlo MollinoCarlo Mollino- Biography :Born in Turin, Piedmont, Carlo Mollino was the son of Eugenio Mollino, an engineer. As he grew up, Carlo Mollino became interested in a variety of topics that were as outrageous as his art, such as design, architecture, the occult, and race cars....
. Following the lead of Piero TaruffiPiero TaruffiPiero Taruffi , was a racing driver from Italy, and also the father of lady racer Prisca Taruffi.-Sports car career:...
's CisitaliaCisitaliaCisitalia was an Italian sports and racing car constructor. The name "Cisitalia" derives from "Compagnia Industriale Sportive Italia", a business conglomerate founded in Turin in 1946 and controlled by the wealthy industrialist and sportsman Piero Dusio...
Tarf record-breaker of 1948 and the Pegaso that failed to start at Le MansLe MansLe Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
in 1953, it was a twin-boom model (separated by airfoils), with a twin-cam 737 cc Gianni engine producing 62 bhp at 7000 rpm and tandemTandemTandem is an arrangement where a team of machines, animals or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction....
wheels in one boom, driver and tandem wheels in the other. Weighing 450 kg (992 lb), it was capable of up to 216 mi/h, it started at Le Mans in 1955, falling out early. It currently resides in the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Milano. - Silver Ray was 350 bhp PlymouthPlymouth (automobile)Plymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, produced by the Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:...
Golden CommandoChrysler B engineChrysler's B and RB engines are a series of big-block V8s which in 1958 replaced the first-generation Hemi engines. The B and RB engines use wedge-shaped combustion chambers....
V8-engined, Michelotti-bodied coupē, built for William SimpsonWilliam SimpsonWilliam Simpson may refer to:*William Dunlap Simpson , Governor of South Carolina from 1879*William Simpson , Scottish war artist and correspondent*William John Simpson , journalist and political figure in Quebec...
in 1960. - single-seater on VW Beetle components, Formula VeeFormula VeeFormula Vee is a popular open wheel, single seater junior motor racing formula, with relatively low costs in comparison to Formula Ford or Formula BMW....
prototype for Hubert Brundage (1959).
After the failure of the bisulruo, Ufficine Nardi ceased work on car prototypes in the mid-1950s and turned to aftermarket such as manifolds, crankshafts, camshafts. It has become best known for the Nardi steering wheel, introduced in 1951 in
walnut
Walnut
Juglans is a plant genus of the family Juglandaceae, the seeds of which are known as walnuts. They are deciduous trees, 10–40 meters tall , with pinnate leaves 200–900 millimetres long , with 5–25 leaflets; the shoots have chambered pith, a character shared with the wingnuts , but not the hickories...
, since but mostly using African mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
. The Nardi wheel was first fitted to a 1952 Pegaso
Pegaso
Pegaso was a Spanish make of trucks, omnibuses, tractors, armored vehicles, and, for a while, sports cars. The parent company, Enasa, was created in 1946 and based in the old Hispano-Suiza factory, under the direction of the renowned automotive engineer Wifredo Ricart...
.
After Nardi's death in 1966, the ufficine was run by Barbero until 1969, then by Iseglio.
Sources
- Setright, L. J. K. "Nardi: The Italian Miniaturist" in Ward, Ian, executive editor. The World of Automobiles, Volume 13, p. 1491-2. London: Orbis Publishing, 1974.
Nardi-Personal Website