1959 Autobianchi Bianchina

History

Edoardo Bianchi was a bicycle manufacturer who created the company Bianchi in 1885. Beginning in 1899, he began experimenting with the automobile. The company's history is also remembered for its motorcycle production, of which many were used successfully in sporting competition.

Before World War II, the company produced various models that appealed to a wide range of consumers. By the close of the 1930s, production had shifted towards concentrating on motorcycles and commercial vehicles. The company's factories were destroyed during WWII, and Edoardo Bianchi passed away in 1946 due to a car accident. Ownership of the company went to his son, Giuseppe.

After the war, a new factory was constructed in Desio and production resumed for bicycles, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles. Bianchi later approached Fiat and Pirelli with a proposal to form a new company focusing on automobile production. An agreement was reached in early 1955, and the Autobianchi Company was formed. A new factory was built to handle the production.

Fiat provided the technical components and knowledge, Pirelli provided the tires, and Bianchi created the bodies and assembled the vehicles. The first product produced under this new venture was the Bianchina, based on the Fiat 500. It was powered by an air-cooled, two-cylinder engine mounted in the rear of the car. The body was designed by Luigi Rapi. The car was positioned to sell above the Fiat 500 and offered luxury features not found in the 500. The first body style to roll off the assembly line was the 'Trasformabile' and would remain the only body style available until 1960 when the Cabriolet was introduced. A three-door estate dubbed the Panoramica and a two-door saloon called the Berlina were introduced later.

In 1960, the newly introduced Fiat 500D became standard equipment on the microcar. An Autobianchi Bianchina Cabriolet played a starring role in the original 'Pink Panther' movie, starring Peter Sellers.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008