Description
Strong documented racing pedigree
1000 Miglia eligible - included into Registro 1000 Miglia
Took part in 34 races, with 17 podiums and 11 victories between class and overall
Complete ownership history
Impressive historical documentation, photographs and memorabilia
Full mechanical overhaul in 2026 - ready to race
Extensive collection of spare parts
Conceived for the racetrack in the very heart of Milan, this 750 Barchetta was shaped in 1949 by the so-called “Wizard of Speed,” the deft-handed Angelo Dagrada.
The car was unpainted at first and bore no badges, though it was later fitted with the ‘DAGRADA’ script on the nose and given a coat of red paint as it evolved to meet the demands of racing. The car was soon sold to Dagrada’s friend and sports car champion Franco Bordoni-Bisleri, a highly decorated Italian fighter pilot credited with nineteen aerial victories over North Africa.
Under the hood, Dagrada equipped the 750 Sport with one of the early Giannini G1 engines, based on the Fiat 500 Topolino block, but extensively reworked for performance. This unit was paired with a Siata cylinder head, an upgrade that optimized airflow and combustion, allowing the 750cc inline-four engine to develop around 55 horsepower. With its lightweigth construction, the car achieved a strong power-to-weight ratio of approximately 6. 2 kg/ hp and could reach top speeds near 160 km/ h, which was impressive for its class and era.
From the outset, chassis 0243849 was developed with competitive racing in mind and saw constant modification in its early life. These included changes to windshield height, and lighting configuration, as well as other small components to meet the racing criteria.
The earliest confirmed racing record of the car dates to July 1949, when it appeared at the ‘Notturna all’Ippodromo di Mirafiori’, driven by Franco Bordoni Bisleri. Bordoni placed second in class, signaling the car’s competitive potential. Shortly after, he entered the Susa-Moncenisio hill climb, finishing seventh overall.
In August 1949, Bordoni made his Sport category circuit racing debut at the Coppa Adriatica in Senigallia, in a strongly contested race: he finished third of his class, making several attempts to overtake Puma, who was first. At one point, Puma blocked him, forcing him into the straw bales. As a result, Bordoni also lost second place, which was claimed by Musso, driving a Stanguellini.
By September 1949, the car was proving consistently competitive winning both the Treponti – Teolo and the Vittorio Veneto – Cansiglio. In March 1950, the chassis was officially registered with the Milan ‘motorizzazione’ and received the ex-officio serial number ‘MI0243849MI’. The following month, ownership was formally transferred to Bordoni, although his use of the car in competition had already begun the previous season, suggesting it had functioned as a semi-works entry for Dagrada.
On April 23, 1950, Bordoni and Angelo Dagrada entered the 1000 Miglia together. Period photographs show the car equipped for the event, featuring a crossbar on the nose supporting twin auxiliary headlamps and a front-mounted license plate. The car recorded strong times through Rome, but it was forced to retire. Throughout 1950, Bordoni continued to race the Dagrada 750 Sport extensively, frequently placing in the top ranks of his class and achieving overall victories.
This car remained active in racing until mid-1953, with its final recorded appearance at the Varese–Campo dei Fiori hill climb, where it was raced by Giorgio Xeconti and modified with integrated fenders to comply with new regulations, finishing third of his class. After this, the car was retired from active competition but stayed in Bordoni’s ownership until July 1962.
That summer, the car was sold to Italo Ascani and re-registered in Perugia, in 1963. Later, in 1966, it was purchased by collector Giuseppe Bianchini, a noted expert in postwar Italian sports cars. In 2013, it was sold again to renowned collector Jan de Reu, before Dutch enthusiast Luc Brandts acquired it and initiated its participation in 1000 Miglia reenactments. Before our acquisition, Francesco Di Lauro took great care of the 750 Sport from 2020 to 2024.
