Autobianchi · 1957–1970

Autobianchi Bianchina

The Autobianchi Bianchina is a minicar produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi, based on the Fiat 500's chassis and mechanicals. It was available in various configurations: Berlina (saloon), Cabriolet (roadster), Trasformabile (fixed profile convertible), Panoramica (station wagon), and Furgoncino (van). The car was presented to the public on 16 September 1957 at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. Initially, the car was equipped with the smallest Fiat engine, air-cooled 479 cc, producing 15 PS (11 kW). In 1959, the engine power was increased to 16.5 PS (12.1 kW) and in 1960, the cabriolet version was launched. In the same year, the Trasformabile, whose engine cylinder capacity was increased to 499 cc and 17.5 PS (12.9 kW), was made available in a Special version with bicolour paint and an engine enhanced to 21 PS (15.4 kW). This body style featured a fixed B-pillar and partial roof, like the rest of the opening was covered with a foldable fabric hood, while the Cabriolet version had no B-pillar. The Trasformabile was the only version to feature suicide doors, and in 1962, it was replaced by a four-seat saloon. The engine and chassis were the same in both. In 1965, a minor facelift was made and in the Berlina, the regular engine gained a half horsepower. In France, the various Bianchina models were sold under different names: the Berlina became the Lutèce, the Familiare the Texane, and the Cabriolet was marketed as the Eden Roc. In the United States, the importer marketed them with Fiat badging rather than as Autobianchis. The Panorama was also assembled by Neckar Automobilwerke AG in West Germany as the "Neckar Panorama".

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Autobianchi A112

All Autobianchi Bianchina data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Production

The Bianchina was produced from 1957 to 1970, for a total volume of approximately 275,000. Source: Club Bianchina and Bianchina Classic Club

In popular culture

The 1966 movie How to Steal a Million with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole features Hepburn's character driving a red Autobianchi Bianchina cabriolet. Italian comedy character Ugo Fantozzi, created by Paolo Villaggio and protagonist of television monologues, short stories, and films, famously drives a white Bianchina, usually somewhat damaged and with a four-leaf clover decal on the left side. The car is known for its tendency to become badly damaged throughout these stories. A pink with black polka dots Trasformabile is featured in the 1986 music video, "Nobody's Fool," by glam metal band, Cinderella. In the animation film Despicable Me 2, the car of Lucy Wilde resembles a Bianchina Trasformabile. The car is owned and driven by Lolita Lobosco in the eponymous Italian detective series broadcast in the UK by Channel 4 in its Walter Presents series (S1 E2, 01:01:30).

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Autobianchi Bianchina
Manufacturer: Autobianchi
Production: 1957–1970
Successor: Autobianchi A112
Class: City car
Layout: RR layout
Body style: 2-door saloon (Berlina), 2-door convertible (Trasformabile and Cabriolet), 3-door station wagon (Panoramica), 3-door Van (Furgoncino)
Engine: 479 cc ohv I2, 499 cc ohv I2
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Wheelbase: 1840 mm (All), 1940 mm (Panoramica)
Length: 3020 mm (Berlina, Cabriolet), 2985 mm (Trasformabile), 3225 mm (Panoramica)
Width: 1340 mm (All)
Height: 1320 mm (All), 1330 mm (Panoramica)
Kerb weight: 530 kg (Berlina), 510 kg (Trasformabile), 585 kg (Panoramica), 535 kg (Cabriolet)
aka: Fiat Bianchina, Neckar Panorama
Related: Fiat 500
Designer: Luigi Rapi