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. At the age of 25 he moved to Eritrea, then an Italian colony, where he operated a transport business between Dekemhare and Asmara. He returned to Italy in 1939 and, with his savings, opened a garage and car rental/limousine service in downtown Forlì.
In the same year, Bandini began competing as a motorcycle racer, competing in races at Faenza, Lugo di Romagna, and Imola. In 1940, he first took part in the Mille Miglia, driving a Fiat Balilla "Coppa d'oro". During World War II, faced with shortages of fuel for civilian use, Bandini adapted his automobile engines to operate with wood gas. In 1946, he reassembled a Fiat 1100 that he had earlier cut apart and hidden to avoid requisition by German forces. He modified the chassis and suspension while rebuilding the car. Fitted with an aluminum body, the work of Turin coachbuilder Rocco Motto, this car became the Bandini 100, the first to carry the Bandini name.
Read more about this topic: Ilario Bandini
Famous quotes related to early years:
“If there is a price to pay for the privilege of spending the early years of child rearing in the driver’s seat, it is our reluctance, our inability, to tolerate being demoted to the backseat. Spurred by our success in programming our children during the preschool years, we may find it difficult to forgo in later states the level of control that once afforded us so much satisfaction.”
—Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)