Nardi (carmaker)

Nardi -Personal SpA, formerly Nardi & Nardi Danese and Officine & C. is an Italian manufacturer of car accessories in Turin, who also built sports and racing cars until 1957. Founders of the company were former racing driver and engineer Enrico Nardi (1907-1966) and Renato Danese.

Development of the company

Nardi was from 1929 to 1937 with Lancia and then he worked with Ferrari before he started his own business in 1946. In 1932 he built together with Augusto Monaco the Nardi - Monaco Chichibio, a single-seater with a 1000 cc motorcycle engine from JAP, which made ​​65 hp at 5400/min, and a five-speed gearbox. The top speed is said to have stood at 180 km / h.

Augusto Monaco was also involved in the construction of the small sports car with BMW, Lancia and Fiat engines, which brought out Nardi end of the 1940s. These sports cars were added in 1951 Formula 2 single seater and a record-breaking car. An unusual vehicle was developed in 1955 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans zweirümpfige Bisiluro ( two torpedoes ) with a 750 cc engine. A success is not achieved by the car; Driver Mario Damonte crashed in the race after six rounds. 1957, Nardi, a construction of automobiles and concentrated henceforth on the manufacture of accessories, especially of steering wheels. The most famous product is the Nardi steering wheel with wooden rim, aluminum spokes and the lettering E. Nardi.

On 1 March 2005 Cerofolini Lorenzo took over the company, which is now under the name Nardi -Personal SpA changed its name and will continue to operate under that name.