Amédée Gordini (June 23, 1899 – May 25, 1979) was an Italian-born race car driver and sports car manufacturer in France. Gordini was born in Bazzano, Province of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. He was a young boy when he became fascinated with automobiles and racing. In his early teens, he worked as a mechanic for Alfieri Maserati. After serving in the Italian army during World War I, in 1926 he settled in Paris, France and raced cars for Fiat in Grand Prix motor racing events and at the 24 hours of Le Mans.