Autobianchi Bianchina

The Autobianchi Bianchina is a minicar produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi, based on the Fiat 500. 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.

Autobianchi Bianchina
Autobianchi Bianchina
Overview
ManufacturerAutobianchi
Production1957–1970
DesignerLuigi Rapi
Body and chassis
ClassCity car
Body styleBerlina (saloon)
Cabriolet (roadster)
Trasformabile (convertible)
Panoramica (station wagon)
Furgoncino (van)
LayoutRR layout
RelatedFiat 500
Powertrain
Engine
  • 479 cc ohv I2
  • 499 cc ohv I2
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,840 mm (72 in) (All)
1,940 mm (76 in) (Panoramica)
Length3,020 mm (119 in) (Berlina, Cabriolet)
2,985 mm (117.5 in) (Transformabile)
3,225 mm (127.0 in) (Panoramica)
Width1,340 mm (53 in) (All)
Height1,320 mm (52 in) (All)
1,330 mm (52 in) (Panoramica)
Curb weight530 kg (1,170 lb) (Berlina)
510 kg (1,120 lb) (Transformabile)
585 kg (1,290 lb) (Panoramica)
535 kg (1,179 lb) (Cabriolet)
Chronology
SuccessorAutobianchi A112

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 17 PS (13 kW) and in 1960, the cabriolet version was launched.

In the same year, the Trasformabile, whose engine cylinder capacity was increased to 499 cc (18 hp), was made available in a Special version with bicolour paint and an engine enhanced to 21 PS (15 kW). This body style featured fixed B-pillar and partial roof, as the rest of the opening was covered with foldable fabric hood, whilst the Cabriolet version had no B-pillar. The Trasformabile was the only versions 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. In France, the models were sold under different names: the Berlina became the Lutèce, the Familiare the Texane, and the Trasformabile was marketed as the Eden Roc.[1]

Production
  • Bianchina models
  • Trasformabile
  • Cabriolet
  • Berlina
  • Panoramica
  • Furgoncino (low roof)
  • Furgoncino (tall roof)

The Bianchina was produced from 1957 to 1970, for a total volume of approximately 275,000.

ModelYears producedPower (bhp)Capacity (cc)Production
Trasformabile series 11957–19581547917,000
Trasformabile series 21959–196016.547910,000
Trasformabile series 31961–196217.54997,000
Trasformabile Special1959–1962214991,500
Cabriolet series 11960214991,050
Cabriolet series 2 D1961–1964214995,500
Cabriolet series 3 F1965–1969214992,750
Berlina D1962–196417.549926,500
Berlina F1965–19691849933,500
Berlina Special D1962–1964214994,000
Berlina Special F1965–1969214995,000
Panoramica D1960–196417.549975,000
Panoramica F1965–196917.549985,000
Panoramica sun roof1960–196917.5499
Furgoncino van, low roof1965–197017.5499
Furgonetta van, tall roof1970–197717.5499

Source: Club Bianchina and Bianchina Classic Club

Autobianchi Bianchina Giardiniera

Autobianchi also used the Bianchina name for the Autobianchi Bianchina Giardiniera.[2]

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.[3]

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 over the course of these stories.

In the animation film Despicable Me 2, the car of Lucy Wilde resembles a Bianchina Trasformabile.[4]

References
  1. Catalogue Salon de l'Auto 68 (in French). Paris: Europe Auto (16): 11. 1968. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Bianchina - Giardiniera, www.autobianchi.org Retrieved on 30 July 2014
  3. "Autobianchi Eden Roc in "How to Steal a Million"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  4. "Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile in "Despicable Me 2"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
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