Franco Bordoni-Bisleri was born in Milan on January 10, 1913, into one of Italy’s most prominent industrial families. His grandfather, Felice Bisleri, had founded the renowned Bisleri pharmaceutical and spirits company, and the family crest, featuring a rampant lion and the Latin motto Robur, became a symbol Franco would carry with him throughout his life, both in the air and on the track.

In 1936 Bordoni earned his civilian pilot’s license and, despite being briefly disqualified from military service due to a minor nasal defect, was admitted to the Regia Aeronautica in 1937. Here, he qualified as a reserve lieutenant and joined the 18° Gruppo Caccia, part of the 3° Stormo, flying fighter aircraft.

During the Second World War, Bordoni distinguished himself as a combat pilot in North Africa. Initially flying the outdated Fiat CR.42 biplane, he shot down four Bristol Blenheims and a Hawker Hurricane in 1941. As the war progressed, he transitioned to more modern aircraft, including the Macchi C.202 Folgore and later the Macchi C.205 Veltro.

Operating in extremely demanding conditions and often at a technical disadvantage, he secured further aerial victories against Allied aircraft, including P-40 Kittyhawks and American heavy bombers such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-26 Marauder.

After the war, Bordoni took on responsibilities within the family business while also assuming the presidency of the Aero Club of Milan, which carries his name today. Yet his competitive spirit found a new outlet in motorsport. He debuted at the 1000 Miglia in 1949 in a Fiat 1100B, in 1950, he claimed a class victory at the Coppa Inter-Europa at Monza, driving a Maserati A6.

In April 1950, he acquired the Dagrada-Giannini 750 Sport from Angelo Dagrada, a car he was racing for the manufacturer already in 1949. In 1950, he would drive the Dagrada to third place at Senigallia, also setting the fastest lap of the race. During the same season, he won at Modena, in the Circuito del Castello in Teramo, and the following year in the Coppa Ascoli, Circuito delle Caldaie.

Bordoni raced the Dagrada in 32 races in total, earning the car the reputation it has today. He would later sell the Dagrada in July of 1962, to Italo Ascani. Throughout his career, Bordoni also enjoyed success driving cars from other manufacturers. In 1952, driving an OSCA, he won the 1.1-litre class at the Bari Grand Prix, and the following year he was crowned Italian Sports Car Champion. He triumphed at the Coupe de Vitesse at Montlhéry and secured additional victories at events such as the Trullo d’Oro and the Pergusa Grand Prix, piloting a Gordini T15S. In 1954, he repeated his successes at Trullo and Pergusa and added a win at the Trieste–Opicina hillclimb.

In 1955, he joined the works Maserati team, competing in prestigious races such as the RAC Tourist Trophy, the 10 Hours of Messina, and the Targa Florio with cars including the A6GCS and the 300S. He also competed with a Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta, achieving strong results in the 1000 Miglia and Coppa della Toscana. He added another Pergusa win to his record and continued racing into 1956 and 1957, achieving further podiums before gradually retiring from competition. His final known victory came at the Grand Prix des Frontières in 1957.

Franco Bordoni-Bisleri remained closely involved with both aviation and motorsport until his tragic death on September 15, 1975, during a flight over Liguria. While piloting a SIAI-Marchetti F.260, he encountered severe weather conditions and crashed, resulting in the deaths of his ten-year-old son and a family friend.