|
|
| | Transormabile Speciale Chassis Num: 110BO25824 |
The following year the car was given a more powerful engine and was offered as a salon, coupe, convertible and estate. 1958 was also the same year that Bianchi sold its shares to its partners, Fiat and Pirelli.
At the 1960 Geneva Salon, the Bianchina Speciale Convertible was introduced. It was a miniature luxury car aimed at the American market and outfitted with a generous amount of chrome trim and a unique interior. Power was supplied from the 500D motor and the suspension was modified to give it a more responsive and luxurious ride. Soundproofing was improved to reduce exterior noise. The cooling slots on the side, behind the doors, and the chrome borders were removed.
The Bianchina Speciale Convertible was given a price 20 percent over the base 500. The convertible body styles would continue until 1970, while the estate and saloon were discontinued in 1969.
This 1961 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile Speciale has been given a complete restoration since new. It is painted red with a red-and-white striped interior. It has a two-cylinder engine that displaces 499 cc and produces 21 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2007 this car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $25,000 - $35,000 and offered without reserve. Bidding surpassed those estimates, settling at $41,800 including buyer's premium.
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 their motorcycle production, of which many were used successfully in sporting competition.
Prior to World War II, the company produced a variety of models which appealed to a wide range of consumers. By the close of the 1930s, production had shifted towards concentrating on motorcycles and commercial vehicles. The companies 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, Giuesppe.
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 that would focus 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 which was based on the Fiat 500. It was powered by a 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 on the 500. The first bodystyle to roll of the assembly line was the 'Trasformabile' and would remain as 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 staring roll in the original 'Pink Panther' movie, starring Peter Sellers.
Prior to World War II, the company produced a variety of models which appealed to a wide range of consumers. By the close of the 1930s, production had shifted towards concentrating on motorcycles and commercial vehicles. The companies 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, Giuesppe.
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 that would focus 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 which was based on the Fiat 500. It was powered by a 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 on the 500. The first bodystyle to roll of the assembly line was the 'Trasformabile' and would remain as 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 staring roll in the original 'Pink Panther' movie, starring Peter Sellers.
1961 Autobianchi Bianchina 500 |
|
| Year | 1961 |
| Make | Autobianchi |
| Model | Bianchina 500 |
| Body Style | Transormabile Speciale |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Steel Monocoque |
| Production Years for Series | 1959 - 1970 |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 110BO25824 |
| Performance | |
| Top Speed | 105 km/h | 65.3 mph Similar top speeds |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Air-Cooled | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 499.00 cc | 30.5 cu in. | 0.5 L. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 21.00 BHP (15.5 KW) @ 4000.00 RPM |
| HP / Liter | 42.0 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 7.00:1 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| 1 Weber carburetor | |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Other models by Autobianchi |
| View Specifications |
 |
| Vehicle Ratings |
| Rate the Vehicle |
| Add Review |
| Articles and Event Coverage |
| Gooding & Company |
| Additional Resources and Links |
| Gooding & Company Auction : Pebble Beach Official Website |
| Recent Vehicle News | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 | ||
Conceptcarz.com
| Site Map
| Contact
| Terms Of Use | Links | RSS
| Top
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com