1949 Dagrada Giannini Fiat 750 Sport

1949 Dagrada Giannini Fiat 750 Sport – Chassis No. 0243849

Emerging from the shadows of post-war Italy, the 1949 Dagrada Giannini Fiat 750 Sport represents a seminal moment in both Italian motorsport and industrial ingenuity. Built during the country’s rapid transformation known as the Italian Economic Miracle, this car embodies the spirit of a nation rebuilding itself, combining ingenuity, resourcefulness, and a profound passion for speed.

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Italy faced devastation on every front: infrastructure in ruins, inflation rampant, and morale low. Yet, within a decade, the nation experienced an extraordinary recovery, underpinned by international aid, government-led industrial coordination, and the emergence of an industrial heartland between Milan, Turin, and Genoa. Automotive manufacturing, once restricted to the wealthy elite, began its ascent, coinciding with a burgeoning culture of motorsport. Small-displacement racing cars, crafted by independent constructors on the fringes of the industry, flourished. These etceterini, often suffixing their names with “-ini”, transformed modest engines into competitive machines, prioritising lightweight construction, agility, and driver skill.

Angelo Dagrada, known among contemporaries as the “wizard of speed”, was a key figure in this ecosystem. A Milanese mechanic of extraordinary skill, Dagrada honed his talents tuning engines for 750cc and 1100cc competition cars. In 1949, he took a decisive step by constructing his own 750 Sport, chassis 0243849, designed around a tubular steel frame and finished in hand-shaped aluminium. Minimalist and functional in design, the car’s barchetta-like silhouette – referred to as a siluro – and single central front headlamp concealed behind a grille, exemplified Dagrada’s philosophy: a racing machine distilled to its essentials.

Under the bonnet, the 750 Sport was equipped with an early Giannini G1 engine, based on the Fiat 500 Topolino block, enhanced with a Siata cylinder head. Producing approximately 55 horsepower and paired with a remarkably light chassis, the car achieved a power-to-weight ratio of 6.2 kg/hp and top speeds near 160 km/h – exceptional for its class. Each component was meticulously conceived, blending improvisation with emerging technical principles, reflecting the ingenuity that defined Italy’s small constructors in the post-war era.

This particular car was entrusted to Franco Bordoni-Bisleri, a distinguished aviator and racing driver, who began campaigning it in 1949. Bordoni, a decorated World War II fighter pilot credited with 19 aerial victories, approached racing with the same precision and daring that had defined his military career. Under his command, chassis 0243849 swiftly proved competitive, achieving multiple class victories at events such as the Treponti–Teolo, Vittorio Veneto–Cansiglio, and the Circuito del Castello. Its performance in hill climbs, circuit races, and road events consistently demonstrated the capabilities of Dagrada’s engineering and Bordoni’s skill, culminating in numerous podiums and ten outright victories from 1949 to 1953.

Among its notable appearances, the 1000 Miglia of 1950 stands out. Though forced to retire, the car’s participation at such a prestigious event underscored the importance of these small-displacement racers in Italy’s rich motorsport tapestry. In subsequent seasons, Bordoni’s campaigns at Modena, Senigallia, and the Coppa Ascoli confirmed the car’s enduring competitiveness. The vehicle was further refined over time with modifications to lighting, windshields, and aerodynamic features to meet evolving racing requirements.

Following Bordoni’s ownership, the car passed through notable custodians, including Italo Ascani, Giuseppe Bianchini, Jan de Reu, and Luc Brandts, each contributing to its preservation and competitive revival. The original Giannini G1 engine was reconstructed on a Fiat 500 A block, retaining all period-correct components while ensuring mechanical reliability. Restorations faithfully preserved key design elements, including auxiliary headlights and motorcycle-style fenders, maintaining the car’s authenticity and character.

In May 2025, this Dagrada Giannini 750 Sport captured contemporary attention at FuoriConcorso: Velocissimo on Lake Como, a celebration of Italian motorsport heritage. Among some of Italy’s most revered racing icons, the Dagrada stood out, embodying the philosophy of Velocissimo: speed distilled into its purest, most minimalist form.

Today, chassis 0243849 is not merely a historic racing car; it is a testament to post-war Italian creativity, technical daring, and the enduring legacy of Angelo Dagrada and Franco Bordoni-Bisleri. It offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a machine that combines the artistry of hand-shaped aluminium, the ingenuity of Giannini engineering, and the tangible excitement of a true competition car from an era when Italian motorsport was defined as much by heart as by horsepower.

Key Details:

• Chassis No: 0243849
• Engine: Giannini G1 (Fiat 500 Topolino-based, Siata head)
• Year: 1949
• Racing Pedigree: 34 races, 17 podiums, 10 victories (1949–1953)
• Notable Drivers: Franco Bordoni-Bisleri, Piero Carini, Giorgio Xeconti

Significant Events: 1000 Miglia, Circuito di Modena, Coppa Ascoli, Varese – Campo dei Fiori

Chassis 0243849 remains exceptionally faithful to its original conception, a true testament to Angelo Dagrada’s ingenuity and craftsmanship. It preserves the early tubular steel chassis, hand-shaped aluminium bodywork, and the minimalist, lightweight ethos that defined the 750 Sport. The carefully reconstructed Giannini G1 engine maintains its period-correct mechanical character, while every detail – from the auxiliary headlights to the distinctive ‘siluro’ profile – speaks to its racing heritage and meticulous preservation. As one of the most original and celebrated Mille Miglia entrants, this Dagrada Giannini 750 Sport offers collectors not only an authentic and historically significant competition car but also a rare opportunity to experience the spirit of post-war Italian motorsport in its purest form, and the ideal ticket to the world’s most prestigious historic road race.

Full history and paperwork can be provided on request. Available for sale exclusively with Besley Heritage Ltd: P.O.A