1950's H modified barn find

[DanielRapley]

I am looking for information on the H modified Fiat special below.

It raced on the east coast as a Crosley powered H modifed in the 50's and probably raced in Italy with a Fiat Topolino 500 engine. .



As raced in the early 50's.




As found 2 weeks ago after 40+ years in a horse barn.





Here is what I know

It was sold as a Giaur, not sure if Giaur made the car or Nardi, Siata or another etceterini manufacturer.

Late 40's - early 50's ; built and raced in Italy. Based on Fiat parts (some early Alfa bits also).

Early 50's ; Imported to the USA by Tony Pompeo of New York.

1950/51; Sold to Frank Dominianni, who raced the car at East Coast venues. Fiat Engine tossed and repowered with a Crosley.

Mid 50's; Sold into the vastness of America.

I am particularly interested in any Italian history the car may have.

Any info, or suggestions on Italian websites, discussion groups, email groups that could assist would be welcomed.


Cheers,

Daniel


Click here to see more photos.



DanielRapley@aol.com

[SL]

That looks like a nice find you have there, hope to see the car at a race track very soon.

Seems you have had little luck here, but perhaps you should try the Atlas guys http://www.atlasf1.com/bb/index.php (I hope Mods let this though)

There is one guy whose name escapes me (Dcenterini ???) who has a whole history of the Fiat racers. He does pop into 10/10 now and then. Plus our own TimD who has a transit van plus, full of old magazines and race programmes. so I hope that between us we can help you out.

Simon

[TimD]

Trouble is, everything I have on this car is in the well-documented 1951 Dominianni era. Autosport actually used to cover the 1951-1955 SCCA events fairly well, with a couple of pages apiece. Frank Dominianni was one of the eternal triers of Class H (Modified).

This really is a job for Dr Etceterini - come on, Doc, we need you!

[dretceterini]

Hey, I'm working on it!! I already replied to Dan. For the record, based on the chassis design, I think it is a Nardi that came to America with a 750 Giaur/Giannini Fiat Topolino motor enlarged to 750cc (from 569cc) and a 3rd main bearing added to the bottom end and a conversion from side valve to Giannini OHV. The car later had a Crosley in it. I'm looking for photos of the car in Italy, circa 1947-1950, but don't have all that many Italian magazines of the period. There is nothing on this car in the Taraschi book (Taraschi was the man who built the Giaurs and Uranias), nor is there anything in the Giannini book! I'll pst something when I get further information. I have put Dan in contact with Tazio Taraschi, the grandson of the man who built the Giaurs..

[A Tait]

Thats amazing, all the best with the resto.