1962 Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica

The Autobianchi was positioned up-market from FIAT. The Bianchina made its introduction as the Transformable coupe, with a full-length folding sunroof, and showed clear signs of American influence. They had whitewall tires, plentiful chrome, and two-tone paintwork. Fiat introduced their 500D engine in 1960 which became standard equipment on the Bianchina range and was augmented by two new models: a Cabriolet and the Panoramica estate car that used the FIAT Giardiniera's space-saving horizontally-opposed engine. The Quattroposti saloon, the fourth version introduced, arrived the following year.

This 1962 Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica was sold new in Europe. It was given a restoration in Italy in the late 1990s. It is finished in lime green with tan upholstery, and the odometer reads just over 85,000 kms. There are new tires and a stereo system, including an external amplifier.

In 2011, this estate car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale presented by Bonhams. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $14,625, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011