Ottorrino “Toni” Bianco is one of the great Brazilian race car builders, and the last of the Brazilian carrozzieri. From his mind and hands came several iconic cars in Brazilian automotive history: Monarca, Fórmula Júnior, Bino, Fúria, Bianco, Dardo, Grancar Futura… There are so many names that it is difficult to list them all without forgetting anyone.
Among so many projects, one was practically forgotten: the TB-1, the first car that Bianco worked on after the Fúria. To this end, he opened Toni Bianco Competições and began developing a new prototype for Division 4, which could compete with the modern Avallones that came to dominate the category.
Thus began the design and construction of the TB-1, a process that was completed in just 3 months. A tubular chassis was built, on which a Ford 302 V8 engine from the Maverick and a Hewland FG400 transmission, similar to that used by F1 at the time, were mounted. F1 also provided inspiration for the rear suspension, with a system similar to that used by Ferrari and Lola single-seaters.
The bodywork was made of fiberglass with aluminum elements, and the car was equipped with 13-inch rims with 10 inches at the front and 15 at the rear, the total weight of the car at just 550 kg.
The expectation was that the TB-1 would debut in the Brasília race of Division 4, but this never happened, and the car was lost, until recently the fairing (without chassis/engine) was found by Maurício Marx, and is now for sale so that some enthusiast can rescue and complete the project.
Sources:
Bianco constrói o TB1 para correr em Brasília. Jornal do Brasil (RJ), 4ª feira, 26 de setembro de 1973.
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