Unique exhibition at Mauto
2024 marks an important anniversary in the history of Ayrton Senna and MNational Automobile Use, the temple of Italian design and style in the automotive and motorsport industry, pays homage to the Brazilian champion with a unique exhibition. The spirit of Senna pervades the museum with an exhibition that is well presented 255 exclusive pieces. Everything the public expects and something more are present: the nuances, the precious details, the letters – like the one addressed to the then president of the FIA Jean Marie Balestre – and the sentences collected with extreme care, passion and respect by Carlo Cavicchi.
Senna and her world
From his beginnings in karting to his experience with Williams, there are the single-seaters and all the objects linked to Senna's career: helmets, suits, shoes, trophies and, of course, the Nardi and Personal steering wheels.
“Very meticulous and gifted with great sensitivity, Ayrton Senna requested a special steering wheel,” tells Lorenzo Cerofolini, CEO of Nardi-Personal. “Unlike the majority of drivers who used steering wheels with anatomical shapes, crowns of different sections, grips set for the hand and a diameter of approximately 278 mm, the Brazilian champion, like the other McLaren drivers, used a steering wheel with a larger crown large, a diameter of 298 mm and a firm, thin handle. The large diameter steering wheel allowed him to drive precisely, almost surgically, in search of the apex of a curve. For this reason, Senna later did not want to drive with Williams' anatomical steering wheels.”
Always with Italian steering wheels
From the beginning of his career with the Tolemanto the three world titles won with McLaren and until the fateful 1994 with the Williams, the Brazilian legend competed with Italian steering wheels. Ron Dennis, famous for his severity regarding quality and his attention to safety, wanted the Nardi brand exclusively. The steering wheels specially designed for McLaren recalled the shapes of the classic steering wheel Nardi, with the aluminum armor covered in wood, very thin and with a rather large diameter. The steering wheels of the time had a diameter ranging from approximately 265 mm to 300 mm, with a leather covering approximately 2.5 mm thick.
Italian pride
“Having the presence of the Nardi and Personal steering wheels in this exhibition in honor of the Brazilian champion is an honor for us”, says Cerofolini. “From road cars to racing cars, Nardi-Personal sports steering wheels have won the Formula 1 world championship with drivers of the caliber of Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve”.
Nardi-Personal Spa is today an international boutique in the automotive industry. The passion for craftsmanship and Made in Italy translates into the production of car steering wheels of all types: in wood or leather, perfectly round or slightly squared, classic or more sporty. Each piece is unique. Today again, each steering wheel is made and finished by hand, before and after the polishing and painting phases. The production, which also includes knobs, gearshift boots, horns, brake levers and pedals, also extends to the fashion and lifestyle sector, and is especially known in the clothing market. customization of vintage cars and luxury sedans.
(RB)
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