De Sanctis Formula Junior Race Car 1959 - World Of Classic Cars -

De Sanctis Formula Junior Race Car 1959

Est. 83 bhp 1,098 cc overhead-valve four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, independent swing axle rear suspension and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,000 mm (78.7")

It has long been the case that as motor racing has become more competitive, it has also become more expensive. Thus, entry level classes, or formulas, have periodically been created to encourage novice drivers of

De Sanctis Formula Junior Race Car 1959

modest means. Such was Formula Junior, suggested by Count Giovanni "Johnny" Lurani in the late 1950s. Adopted by the CSI as an open wheel class in 1958, it was limited to engines displacing one-litre or less, with a weight limit of 360 kg (792 lb). For cars up to 400 kg (880 lb.), a 1,100 cc engine was permitted. All engines were required to have ordinary production parts.

De Sanctis Formula Junior Race Car 1959

Gino De Sanctis and his son Lucio ran a large Fiat dealership in Rome. Lucio became interested in racing and by the late 1950s had built a car to his own design. On a tubular space frame chassis, he mounted the engine in the rear with coil spring control arm suspension and telescopic shock absorbers. Rear suspension used swing axles with transverse leaf springs, longitudinal torque arms and telescopic shocks. For power, he used the ubiquitous Fiat 600 engine in its 746 cc form. It soon became the car to beat in Formula Junior, but by 1959, it was giving ground to more powerful cars using Ford 105E or BMA “A” engines. De Sanctis then upgraded to the larger engine from the 1100-103 Fiat, which was more competitive and is the type fitted to the example presented here.