Giaur was formed in 1950 by the great Berardo Taraschi (previously of Urania) and the Giannini brothers, the name coming from GIAnnini and URania. The engines were originally Giannini units, and Crosley engines were later used in America.  They raced throughout Europe in races such as the legendary Mille Miglia and also competed heavily in American SCCA racing.  Only 48 cars were made, 13 were the 750cc "Champion" which had removable fenders and were therefore eligible for both the Italian formula 3 series (open wheel 750 cc) and sportscar races.  Only four Giaur Champions are known in the world today.  Below are some examples of the incredible and beautiful Giaur racing cars.

1949(?) Giaur 1952 Targa Florio Francesco Donato

1953 Pebble Beach Pete Lovely (John Ritchey photo)

1955 CA State Fairgrounds (Etceterini.com archives)

1957 Seattle Sefair Race Henry Koepke (Ed Buck photo)

1949 Giaur Ex Tony Pompeo, Pete Lovely, and Henry Koepke

1949 Giaur at Mille Miglia

1950 Giro di Toscana Boldrini

1950(?) Giaur Coupe 

1950 Giaur Fiat 500cc engine

1950(?) Giaur

(Etceterini.com archives)

1953 Giaur Champion BT-035 Ex Bill Betts 7th SCCA National Class Hmod in 1954, 6th SCCA National Class Hmod in 1955, and 8th SCCA National Class Hmod in 1957, Jarl De Boer Collection

1953 Giaur Champion Ex Chalmers Hall; Raffi Minasian collection

Elkhart Lake June 1956 (Clair Reuter Photo)

Elkhart Lake June 1956 (Clair Reuter Photo)

Sandy MacArthur and family

Smartt Field October 1956 (Clair Reuter Photo)

Elkhart Lake June 1956 (Clair Reuter Photo)

1953 Giaur(?) Champion Lancia Moretti Mercury Ex Paul Gougelman, Sandy MacArthur, John Wessale, and Bob Snider; Mark Brinker collection

(Photo courtesy of the Mitichi web site) 

1953 Giaur Champion Gecchelin Collection 

Ex Tony Pompeo and Bob Samuelson 8th SCCA National Class Hmod in 1957

Japanese owned Giaur racing car

(Photos courtesy of: Rievocazione del Circuito del Castello)

1954 Giaur Record Car

Japanese owned Giaur racing car

Original Giaur Brochure Jack Reuter Collection

Etceterini.com list of American Giaur racing drivers:

• Bill Betts

• Sandy MacArthur

• Bob Samuelson

• Frank Dominianni (*Nardi*)

• Bill Louden

• John Wessale

• Paul Gougleman

• Chalmers Hall

• Bob Snider

• John Bentley

• Pete Bunn

• Walter Walton

• Pete Lovely

These photos courtesy of the the Alberto Taraschi Web Site

1949 Giaur 750 Sport Giannini G1 DOHC Engine

1950 Giaur Berlinetta Giannini G1 DOHC Engine

1952 Giaur 750 Sport Giannini G1 DOHC Engine

Giannini G2 DOHC Engine

1953 Giaur Champion Giannini G2 DOHC Engine

1954 Giaur Red Blitz Giannini G2 DOHC Engine

1954 Giaur Berlinetta San Remo Giannini G2 DOHC Engine

1954 Giaur Record Car Giannini G2 Supercharged DOHC Engine

1955 Giaur Formula 3 Giannini G2 DOHC Engine

1957 Giaur Sport Giannini G2 DOHC Engine