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Monday, 03 December 2007

Cisitalia

John Sutton

CISITALIA – D46
Turin – Italy

 

 
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      Cisitalia D46

 

Dante Giacosa, the designer of the Fiat Topolino and Fiat 500, was commissioned by Piero Dusio, who had made his fortune during the Second World War making uniforms for the Italian army, to design a low cost single-seater racing car.   In 1946 he financed the production of about 40 single seat racing cars which were forerunners of the later Formula Junior.  This was a “one make” formula intended to support Grand Prix meetings.    The components were derived from The Fiat 500 and the chassis was advanced for the time, being the first to use a tubular “space frame” on a production racing car with aluminium body panels by Motto. The engine was an 1100cc Fiat unit converted to magneto ignition, dry sump lubrication , gear driven race camshaft and twin downdraught Weber carburettors.  In this state of tune it gives about 60 bhp and with a weight of 350 kg the maximum speed is about 110 mph.  
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The front suspension was a modified Fiat Topolino layout with a transverse leaf spring above lower wishbones giving a track of 1220 mm.  The solid rear axle was also Fiat Topolino but turned upside down and driven through angled spur gears to lower the drive line was mounted on conventional leaf springs and a track of 1120 mm.   The brakes were taken from the larger ones fitted to the Fiat Ballila.  The wheelbase is 2008 mm 

The three speed gearbox, which was also designed by Giacosa, has sequential operation.  Having engaged first gear by means of the lever protruding from the instrument panel the car is set in motion by releasing the clutch pedal.  Thereafter it changes up to second and then top by depressing and releasing the clutch pedal each time.   Having reached top gear the next gear to be engaged is second so that it continues to alternate between these two gears until first is selected again.

 
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The first 7 cars were retained by the factory and lent to Grand Prix drivers, Nuvolari, Chiron, Sommer, Taruffi, Cortese, Biondetti and Giacosa.  The results for 1946 included a win for Dusio Giacosa in the Coppa Brezzi and second place for Nuvolari at Mantua.  The Asti race was won by Bonetto and the Taruffi won at Vercelli.  At the Comminges  meeting Cisitalia took the first 4 places in the 1100 cc race and Loyer was 4th in the Grand Prix.For 1947 a Cisitalia “Circus” of 16 drivers was planned but after the Cairo race which included Lurani, Brivio, Taruffi and Ascari, the project was abandoned. These attractive and well made little cars are now making a comeback in historic races and are eligible to compete with the front engined Formula Juniors.  
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The car featured here was recovered from Czechoslovakia and restored in Germany to be entered in hillclimbs.  One of the 7 cars retained by the Cisitalia Works it ran in the Brno Grand Prix in the 1940’s.  It is now owned by Richard Pilkington who competes regularly in historic racing. 

 

Last Updated ( Monday, 03 December 2007 )
 
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