THE HISTORY:
An historic perspective of the 1956 Bandini Barchetta (Little Boat) Racer..
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Only a small percentage of race cars survive to an old age. Of that percentage most end up tucked away in a dark corner with their parts scattered or salvaged, their bodies damaged from racing encounters and their racing histories sketchy at best. Fortunately for the Bandini being restored at D & D Classic Auto Restoration, Covington, Ohio, all memories weren't lost.

Ordered from Bandini in 1956 by New York cartoonist, the late Alex Raymond, the originator of the well-known Flash Gordon comic strip, this particular Crosley SOHC engine-powered Bandini Barchetta arrived from Italy and was immediately put into storage. Sadly after the order was placed, Raymond was killed in an automobile accident and never saw his Bandini. Late in 1957, it was purchased in an estate sale by George Tipsword, an avid racer from Connecticut who won "several firsts, many seconds, a few thirds," behind the wheel of the Bandini. "The car was very competitive," says Larry Melsheimer, Vincennes, Indiana, who purchased the Bandini racer in 1972. At the time, Melsheimer was operating a service station and by chance met up with Tipsword, who relayed the car's history. Tipsword had relocated from the East Coast to Lawrenceville, Illinois, which is "just across the Wabash River from Vincennes" and had sold the Bandini in the meantime. It had been in other hands before Melsheimer bought it in '72.

Somewhat unfamiliar with his Bandini‚s history, Melsheimer says he was very pleased and fortunate that Tipsword came along. According to Tipsword despite the fact the Bandini was ordered in 1956, what arrived in the U.S. appears to be "roughly early 1950's vintage - reflecting styling from "an older period", ie. it wore cycle fenders unlike similar racers built in 1956.

Other owners included Dr. Ralph Smith "who dabbled in racing" at George Field, a WWII era Air Force air field in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Smith's son Ralph, Jr. and his high school buddy David Mischler drove the Crosley powered car on the street. Mitchler's interest was natural as his grandfather was a Crosley dealer in the 1950's. Later Mischler became the Bandini's owner. He put it in storage at his uncle Mike Tablor's trucking company where it soon wore out its welcome by being "in the way". Sold to stock and sprint car driver, Wes Stafford, the Bandini continued its competitive nature until it came into Melsheimer's hands in '72.

For some 30 years, the Bandini was stored by Melsheimer with plans to restore it as it looked when it arrived in the U.S. The body had been modified several times to conform to racing regulations in the U.S. "Regarding storage, I was not careful enough," says Melsheimer who indicated that he was tied down to his service station business and the Bandini sat on the back burner despite his admirable intentions. Often times it was being stored in less than ideal conditions. "At the time, I was active in the Crosley Auto Club of Indiana where I was encouraged to restore the car," Melsheimer related.

The Bandini was brought to D&D Classic Auto Restoration in 2002 where the drivetrain and body were restored to import configurations. The Bandini Barchetta changed hands again in 2008, via the Internet, when Melsheimer sold it to Corinna Fendt, a lady who lives in Germany. At this writing, it is undergoing final assembly having received a seductive dark red paint job true to its Italian origins.

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