Bandini formula junior

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FjuniorBandini.jpg


The Bandini formula junior is a racing car model produced from 1959 until 1962 by Bandini Cars Forlì.

The formula was a junior category promotional designed Europe and United States to start young drivers racing career, allowing a deserved better visibility beyond national boundaries.

For this reason, the technical regulation contained rules that restrict the project costs and operational expenses. In an effort to flatten the differences between different cars, engines had to come necessarily from auto series produced in a large number of units on which they were allowed limited interventions. The choice of Bandini, as well as that of many other car fell on Fiat 1100 / 103. The most obvious changes to the propeller are about special conducted of carburetors, changes to head, a new oil sump, and tuned that carried the maximum power up to 90 hp @ 6900 rpm. For a better weight distribution, and the passage of piantone steering, the engine was placed at the center of body and tilted 15 ° along the longitudinal axis. The box steering could well be in a perfect position to avoid bump and roll steer.

A Bandini driving a recent race in the speedway Texan

The formula junior were prepared in the new headquarters of Via Bertini and most of them were exported to America through the importer Biener of New York. On one of these cars, among others, made one of his first experiences Roger Penske, famous driver, team managers and american industrial.


The Chassis

The trellis frame tubes
The special differential
Motore fjuniorbandini.JPG
The photo of the passenger of a formula junior

For this new category single-seater was developed a chassis designed specifically built to Bandini with elements mixed-section round and elliptical. The rear suspension saw for the first time on a Bandini, the application of De Dion system with the adoption in some cases even a Watt system. On the front however, the suspension system is triangles overlapping with the ability to adjust quickly camber. The steering adopt a solution anti-Ackermann.

On one car was tested, this is a novelty, the solution to independent multilink rear wheels with anti-bar and telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and springs elicoidal cylindrical cosaxial inclined.

The solution of differential quick change of relations introduced on formula three was also used on junior for the same purpose but implemented through a new merger and secured to the frame. This also made it possible adjustment of the angles characteristic of rear.


  • Structure and material: frame of elliptical and circle section tubes, steel special steel aeronautics derivation ;
  • Suspensions:
    • Front: Independent, triangles overlapping with stabilizing bar, camber recordable
    • Rear: a bridge rigid DeDion with shock vertical telescopic hydraulic and springs cylindrical helical coaxial;
      • as a wheel independent multilink with lower triangle, shock hydraulic telescopic inclined bound to portamozzo and springs cylindrical helical coaxial camber, caster and convergence Recordable
  • Braking system:
    • Service: hydraulics, drum earlier 250 mm and rear 220 mm
    • Parking: not found
  • Steering: a worm
  • Guide: single, central location
  • Wheels: ray Borrani or Light Amadori or Campagnolo 12 "-13" -14 "
  • Tank: 40 Litres
  • Transmission: differential central position reversed box with quick change of relations (6 reports available) and semiassi reached with the rear omocinetici
  • Weight total: 404 kg
  • Top speed: 210 km / h
  • Pass 2066 mm
  • Track:
    • Front: 1380 mm
    • Back: 1345 mm
  • Length: 3600 mm

The Engine

Ilario Bandini with an engine test bench

The engine Fiat 1100/103 is inclined along the longitudinal axis of 15 °, allowing positioning at the center of chassis for better weight distribution

  • Positioning: forward longitudinal, 4-cylinder in-line tilted 15 °
  • Bore: 68 mm
  • Stroke: 75 mm
  • Displacement: 1089.5 cm ³
  • Compression ratio: 9.8:1
  • Power: 2 carburettors Weber 38DCOE body double / 40DCOE
  • Power: 90 hp @ 6900 rpm
  • Lubricate: Carter wet with pump gear
  • Cooling: forced liquid with centrifugal pump, cooler on the front
  • Gearbox and clutch: Fiat 4 speed +RG, clutch single dry disc
  • Ignition and electrical equipment: coil and distributor switch on base, battery 12 V


The Body

A junior, portrayed recently, the pits of Monaco
Bandini formula junior driver Hugh Ruthwen II, owner of The Finish Line Store


The single-seater bodywork in aluminium, construction Bandini, offers simple lines, in full style "formula one" of the period.

The front part, in various configurations, is consistently low and brings air needed for cooling through a rectangular opening smoothed or at semicircle. Conversely tail, which has a lower door to enter the differential is high, voluminous and rounded.

Bandini Formula junior to Bandini day

Both sides are set to the frame by screws, while the engine bonnet, which reaches the seat of the drive, is set with two constraints quick release. Two air-intakes lateral horizontal elements to allow the hot air vent on the bonnet hand, is derived the taking of fresh air for carburetors.

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Bandini Automobili
Barchette: "La prima" 1100/46 | 1100 sport | 1100 Siluro (Torpedo) | Bandini-Maserati 1500 | 750 sport Siluro (Torpedo) | 750 sport internazionale "saponetta"

Formula: Formula 3 | Formula junior
GT: 750 GT Zagato | 1000 GT
Sport coupé: Saloncino | Berlinetta 1000 turbo 16Vi
Sport prototipo: 1000/62 P | 1000/66 sport | 1000/70 V | Mille s.p. | 1300 16Vi
The Ilario Bandini Story