CNA

The Gilera 500 4C, the latest evolution "Rondine"

The CNA Rondine', also known as 'Gilera 500 4C is a motorcycle United States no. Has special historical significance as the ancestor of modern quadricilindrici front running.

Unlike the traditional national technical, which ranks in the north most of the motor industry, this experience was born and has developed a Rome.

History

The beginnings

In 1923, Carlo Gianini and Peter hesitation were two couples engineers graduates living in the capital, in that turbulent period that followed the march on Rome and preceded the Matteotti crime.

The two engineers, a small shop in the center of Rome near the Diocletian Baths, designed a sophisticated 4-cylinder engine frontemarcia but had to suspend their work because they do not have the capital necessary to carry out the Prototype of the propeller.

First tests on the Rondine 'Autodromo of Littorio in 1934

Thanks to some friendships university had the opportunity to submit their ideas to the count John Bonmartini, wealthy Roman nobility of character, which became famous for having participated in the march on Rome and accompany them if they made from a small plane the NAC (National Aeronautics Company), which he founded.

Wanting to get in good light nell'Italia "enthusiastic and daring" of the time, Bonmartini decided to finance the project and, in 1926,was the GBR(acronym surnames Gianini Bonmartini hesitation ) that in less than two years brought out the first version of the engine: a half liter air-cooled, which developed the bench strength, remarkable for its time, the 28 HP at 6,000 rpm.

Given the good results in 1927, the three decided to form the 'OPRA' (short for Officine Precision Automotive Romana). With the intention of the founders, the OPRA was to develop the engine and offer it to case motorcycling and car European for the construction license. The new engine was equipped with cooling and the Joint power went up to 32 hp at 6500 rpm.

However, the propeller was not successful and, to some differences with Bonmartini, hesitation decided to escape from society. The activities of the OPRA Spa was stopped, to be liquidated at the end of 1929. The company ended up being absorbed by the CNA, in confluì also Gianini, which were entrusted with the direction of the department design aircraft engines.

The CNA

Gianini also distinguished himself in the aircraft, designing and building for the CNA Propellent "C7" for air touring lightweight, adaptable to various aircraft that develops 180 hp power. The prpulsore, mounted on an airplane "Fiat AS.1" be amended, was the protagonist of the world record height for air touring the 1st category, by reaching a Renato Donati the share of 8334 meters, the December 10 of 1932, at the airport Littorio in Rome.

From left: Rossetti, Gianini and Taruffi with CNA Rondine victorious in Tripoli in 1935

The opportunity to take in hand the projects of "Rondine", he appeared two years later, when it was established theGrand Prix motorcycle Tripoliby Italo Balbo, now governor of the Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, after leaving the chair of Minister dell'Aeronautica.

At the time was minister, Balbo had clashed several times with Bonmartini as managing director of CNA. Among them was born a strong political antagonism and now Bonmartini accarezzava the idea of sending two motorcycles to Tripoli to win the GP called by the rival for the 1935.

The desire for redemption of Count Bonmartini and Gianini, although with different motivations, made possible the realization, in just eight months, a new motorcycle, which was created on the basis dell'OPRA, but further developed, and regardless of costs. The evolution of GP was provided with volumetric compressor, distribution with double-camshaft, imbiellaggio benches and rolling, pipes of cylinders nitrides, exchange preselettore with a 4-speed transmission and chassis sheet printed. The power for these years, is impressive: 87 hp at 9000 rpm.

La Rondine

Bonmartini (claudicante for the fall in an attempt to record) with Taruffi.

The fruit of the work will be baptized with the name of 'Rondine'", in memory of the plane that had overflown the march on Rome.

Two "Rondine," entrusted to Taruffi and Rossetti, are then deployed to the GP of Tripoli of 1935. Despite the official presence of large houses such as Guzzi and Norton, the "Rondine" won the first and second place under the eyes of amazed that Italo Balbo, rather than be forced to reward his rival, left the stage indispettito authorities.

Given the success Bonmartini gave the "Rondine" its policy levied, even placing themselves in person at the head in an attempt to beat the world record for speed on the km and remedying launched a ruinous fall On Firenze-Mare.

The team of CNA prepares an attempt to record the Firenze-Mare in 1935

The record was then conquered by the Taruffi November 19 1935, covering the distance of a thousand meters in 14 seconds and 72 cents the average of 244,316 km / h.

But it was the singing of the swan. The fight between Bonmartini and Balbo turned in favor of the latter, marking the end of the noble Roman politics. The CNA is nationalized and the "Rondine" was sold to Caproni that fast motorcycling experience, Taruffi commissioned to find a buyer.

Taruffi offered it to the Gnome et Rhône, the Moto Guzzi and finally to the Gilera, with no comforting answers.

=== The Gilera 500 === 4C

Obstacle accompanying Gilera Rondine during attempts to record in 1937

After the rejection of the first, was the Gilera to win the six motorcycle built and parcel of the drawings with an offer that said small, but that was immediately accepted by Caproni, eager to get rid of that "dry twig."

The further development of Rondine was immediately implemented, thanks to the care of that obstacle, meanwhile, was up in Gilera.

The Kawasaki 900 Z1 of 1972, one of the most successful Japanese models, inspired by the "Rondine"

The "Rondine", now 'Gilera 500 4C' won numerous international competitions in the years preceding the Second World War, in addition to the world record speed of 274,181km/h, once established by Taruffi in 1937 on the highway Milan-Bergamo.

After the war, the resumption of international competitions, the Gilera 4C left the bike to beat, nor the opposition saw the possibility of achieving this. It was probably why, at the instance of the "winners" British sports authorities forbade the use of the compressor. The Gilera 4C, proscritta in international competitions, was put into retirement at the end of 40s.

External links

• Gilera
• Piero Taruffi

Send what you got to:

• [email protected]