Formula Junior regulations required an 1100 cc production engine.
Very belatedly (seeing Coopers had been offering mid-engined racers for sale since 1946), the Bandini Formula Junior used a rear-mounted Fiat engine, tilted 15° from upright.
It also featured drum brakes, and a Formula 3-style quick-change differential.
The Bandini was immediately in demand in the United States.
After a few months, a version with independent suspension appeared, though this was still no match for the dominating Coopers.
Nevertheless, the car caught the attention of the specialist publications, of Juan Manuel Fangio, and of importer Biener, who immediately ordered five.
It also gained a following with drivers such as Rodger Ward and Neil Babbs, Jr., who raced it in junior competitions until 1964, and with Roger Penske.

The 850 cc engine was particularly significant because it was the first engine completely built by Bandini: it was the basis for the subsequent Bandini 1000 cc engine.
The engine featured a monobloc bottom end, and choice of sidedraft or downdraught carburettors, fuel injection, or intercooled turbocharging.
At the same time, Bandinis continued to appear in the United States powered by engines from Mercury, Saab, Offenhauser, MG, O.S.C.A., Alfa Romeo, and even 365 ci (6 liter) Cadillac engines (in the fashion of the Allard J2).

In 1960, Ilario Bandini was invited to Daytona, where the Racemaster team took part in the famous sports car event with a ‘'Saponetta'’ and a Zagato-bodied Berlinetta, driven by Luckens, Richardson, and Callanan.
Bandini was feted as a true "star" by CBS television: he was presented with the Keys to the City by Daytona's mayor.
Noticing Bandini himself had just finished working on the team's engines, the mayor pronounced, "... I am happy to give this award to a man who knows how to use his hands, and not just his head."

In Cincinnati Bandini visited the site of the former Crosley plant and was invited to relocate his operation there.
Bandini stayed in the US long enough to witness Rudkin's victory at Lime Rock, but after that he preferred to return home to Forlì.

Meanwhile, in the same year back in Italy Bandini were active in the 750, 850 and 1000 classes using Banidini DOHC front and rear engined Formnula Junior, 1000P and Saponetta models.

This was the period of greatest growth for Bandini Automobiles.
A contemporary newspaper reports discussion of plans under way to develop a Formula One Bandini, while the production of a prototype go-kart Bandini (with a Parilla engine) and a micro motorbike to serve as a courier for gear and spark plugs to assist rapid repairs at the racetrack.

As Bandini himself reached fifty years of age, he continued to race, including at Sassi-Superga, Aosta-Pila (second), Vergato-Cereglio, and Cesenatico.
In the latter, he was joined by Guerino Lelli (fifth in a 750), Teodoro Zeccoli (out after breaking a sleeve of the 1000cc), and Edward Govoni (out after cracking the differential while his 850 lay third).
Giorgio Cecchini finished third at Vallelunga in an 850, and Alberto Canali third at Salsomaggiore Monte S. Antonio in a 1000 sports.

While in 1961 the United States welcomed Bandini, Dave Lang (thanks to three victories and a second place that allowed him to take third place in the SCCA's HM Class Championship without even entering subsequent races) led national standings, twenty points up on Osca, in Italy are left engines of one liter engine capacity or less.
Bandini himself had little luck in the Four Hours of Pescara (valid for the World Sports Car Championship), co-driving with Alberto Canali, but saw Cecchini and Cesare Sangiorgi classified sixth.
Vince him to Reggio Emilia is the seventh to Salsomaggiore Terme-S.Antonio fifth Vallelunga and second at Predappio where Cecchini won, also in a Bandini 1000.

Cecchini placed the fourth in Salsomaggiore, forced to retire after a fuel pump failure in the lead at Asiago, and after taking the pole position at Vallelunga suffered clutch failure one lap from the flag.
He came fourth at Parma-Poggio of Berceto, sixth in the Sh
Formula Junior regulations required an 1100 cc production engine. Very belatedly (seeing Coopers had been offering mid-engined racers for sale since 1946), the Bandini Formula Junior used a rear-mounted Fiat engine, tilted 15° from upright. It also featured drum brakes, and a Formula 3-style quick-change differential. The Bandini was immediately in demand in the United States. After a few months, a version with independent suspension appeared, though this was still no match for the dominating Coopers. Nevertheless, the car caught the attention of the specialist publications, of Juan Manuel Fangio, and of importer Biener, who immediately ordered five. It also gained a following with drivers such as Rodger Ward and Neil Babbs, Jr., who raced it in junior competitions until 1964, and with Roger Penske.
The 850 cc engine was particularly significant because it was the first engine completely built by Bandini: it was the basis for the subsequent Bandini 1000 cc engine. The engine featured a monobloc bottom end, and choice of sidedraft or downdraught carburettors, fuel injection, or intercooled turbocharging. At the same time, Bandinis continued to appear in the United States powered by engines from Mercury, Saab, Offenhauser, MG, O.S.C.A., Alfa Romeo, and even 365 ci (6 liter) Cadillac engines (in the fashion of the Allard J2).
In 1960, Ilario Bandini was invited to Daytona, where the Racemaster team took part in the famous sports car event with a ‘'Saponetta'’ and a Zagato-bodied Berlinetta, driven by Luckens, Richardson, and Callanan. Bandini was feted as a true "star" by CBS television: he was presented with the Keys to the City by Daytona's mayor. Noticing Bandini himself had just finished working on the team's engines, the mayor pronounced, "... I am happy to give this award to a man who knows how to use his hands, and not just his head."
In Cincinnati Bandini visited the site of the former Crosley plant and was invited to relocate his operation there. Bandini stayed in the US long enough to witness Rudkin's victory at Lime Rock, but after that he preferred to return home to Forlì.
Meanwhile, in the same year back in Italy Bandini were active in the 750, 850 and 1000 classes using Banidini DOHC front and rear engined Formnula Junior, 1000P and Saponetta models.
This was the period of greatest growth for Bandini Automobiles. A contemporary newspaper reports discussion of plans under way to develop a Formula One Bandini, while the production of a prototype go-kart Bandini (with a Parilla engine) and a micro motorbike to serve as a courier for gear and spark plugs to assist rapid repairs at the racetrack.
As Bandini himself reached fifty years of age, he continued to race, including at Sassi-Superga, Aosta-Pila (second), Vergato-Cereglio, and Cesenatico. In the latter, he was joined by Guerino Lelli (fifth in a 750), Teodoro Zeccoli (out after breaking a sleeve of the 1000cc), and Edward Govoni (out after cracking the differential while his 850 lay third). Giorgio Cecchini finished third at Vallelunga in an 850, and Alberto Canali third at Salsomaggiore Monte S. Antonio in a 1000 sports.
While in 1961 the United States welcomed Bandini, Dave Lang (thanks to three victories and a second place that allowed him to take third place in the SCCA's HM Class Championship without even entering subsequent races) led national standings, twenty points up on Osca, in Italy are left engines of one liter engine capacity or less. Bandini himself had little luck in the Four Hours of Pescara (valid for the World Sports Car Championship), co-driving with Alberto Canali, but saw Cecchini and Cesare Sangiorgi classified sixth. Vince him to Reggio Emilia is the seventh to Salsomaggiore Terme-S.Antonio fifth Vallelunga and second at Predappio where Cecchini won, also in a Bandini 1000.
Cecchini placed the fourth in Salsomaggiore, forced to retire after a fuel pump failure in the lead at Asiago, and after taking the pole position at Vallelunga suffered clutch failure one lap from the flag. He came fourth at Parma-Poggio of Berceto, sixth in the Sh
Ilario Bandini