Nembo GT Due Litri: The Lost Legend of Italian Sports Cars in the Swinging '60s

Rare ONES - In the vibrant tapestry of Italian sports cars, the year 1966 stands out as a watershed moment. It witnessed the emergence of the Lamborghini Miura, a vehicle that not only etched its place in the annals of automotive history but also challenged established technical conventions. The Miura's mid-engine configuration, positioned behind the driver, echoed the revolutionary design principles observed in Formula 1 cars of the late 1950s.

The Nembo GT Due Litri was an automotive creation of Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini, former Maserati team employees turned founders of Carrozzeria Neri and Bonacini in 1966. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars)

While the Miura commanded attention, it wasn't the pioneering mid-engined Italian car. The ATS 2500 GT and De Tomaso Vallelunga had previously embraced this design, albeit in limited production. The Miura, with its transversely mounted engine, sparked a new wave of smaller-scale sports cars. Among them, the noteworthy Nembo GT Due Litri, a creation of Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini, former Maserati team employees turned founders of Carrozzeria Neri and Bonacini in 1966.

The Nembo GT Due Litri is inspired by the Lamborghini Miura so it is not surprising that the car displays distinct similarities. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars)

During the 1960s, a golden age for Italian sports cars, Neri and Bonacini's portfolio included exotic cars like the Ferrari 250 Breadvan for the Scuderia Serenissima and the Strale Daytona 6000 GT, based on the Iso Rivolta GT ordered by a luxury car dealer. Inspired by this flourishing era, the duo, after years of contributing to other factories, embarked on creating a vehicle under their own Nembo trademark in 1966.

The Nembo GT Due Litri was built by Neri and Bonacini after years of contributing to other factories, embarked on creating a vehicle under their own Nembo trademark. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars)

The Nembo GT featured a monocoque chassis with front and rear subframe chassis, incorporating an aluminum body. Drawing inspiration from the Miura, the car displayed distinct similarities, especially in the rear section—exhibiting fenders, rear window, and a black grille reminiscent of Lamborghini's iconic design.

The Nembo GT Due Litri featured a monocoque chassis with front and rear subframe chassis, incorporating an aluminum body. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars)

A standout feature of the Nembo GT was its engine—a 4-cylinder boxer engine from the Lancia Flavia Sport Zagato. Equipped with dual carburetors, it produced a maximum power of 105 hp. The boxer engine not only ensured a lower center of gravity but also hinted at exceptional handling capabilities. Weighing less than 1,800 pounds, the Nembo GT delivered impressive performance, reaching a top speed of 125 mph.

The Nembo GT Due Litri featured a 4-cylinder boxer engine sourced from the Lancia Flavia Sport Zagato, complemented by dual carburetors. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars)

The first Nembo GT, a test car with essential tuning, sported an unpainted aluminum body. Its headlights were integrated into the front grille, and the taillights, though sizable, featured a distinctive design. The second iteration marked improvements, offering enhanced comfort and nearing small-scale production readiness. The cabin, though seemingly simple, featured standard equipment such as a radio with speakers and carpeted floors.

The Nembo GT Due Litri's boxer engine not only ensured a lower center of gravity but also hinted at exceptional handling capabilities. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sports Cars)

Despite its promising potential, the Nembo GT encountered a significant setback when Lancia declined to supply engines for the Flavia, disrupting plans for series production. This unforeseen obstacle prompted Neri and Bonacini to part ways with their venture, signaling the end of their dream to produce a successful sports car. Neri joined the Piero Drogo factory, while Bonacini moved to De Tomaso.

The reasons behind Lancia's refusal remain unclear, with speculations pointing to poor timing, considering Lancia's bad days towards acquisition by Fiat. Regardless of the cause, the Nembo GT Due Litri, with its tremendous potential, met an untimely demise. Two Nembo GTs still exist today, serving as a poignant reminder of the unrealized potential of a project that, much like their earlier Aguzzoli Cóndor endeavor in 1964, faced an unfortunate end despite its promising prospects. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SERVILL ON FLICKR | MYCARQUEST | AUTOPUZZLES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | ULTIMATECARPAGE | DRIVE-MY.COM | CLASSICCARSTALKS | IT.WIKIPEDIA | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTS CARS | VINTAGE ITALIAN CAR PASSION ]

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