Bandini was born in Villa Rovere, today part of the administrative region of Forlì in Romagna.
 After finishing elementary school, he apprenticed as a mechanic and turner in 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 started competing as a motorcycle racer, racing at Faenza, Lugo di Romagna, and Imola.
In 1940, he 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 cut apart and hidden to avoid its requisition by the German army.
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 1100, the first to carry the Bandini name.
Bandini was born in Villa Rovere, today part of the administrative region of Forlì in Romagna.  After finishing elementary school, he apprenticed as a mechanic and turner in 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 started competing as a motorcycle racer, racing at Faenza, Lugo di Romagna, and Imola. In 1940, he 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 cut apart and hidden to avoid its requisition by the German army. 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 1100, the first to carry the Bandini name.
Ilario Bandini