1964 Autobianchi Bianchina Cabriolet

Autobianchi was founded in January of 1955 and was the result of a joint venture between cycle manufacturers Bianchi, Fiat and Pirelli. Founded as a bicycle manufacturer in 1885 by Edoardo Bianchi, Bianchi began manufacturing passenger cars in 1899. The role they played as a national industrial asset made it a prime target for Allied bombing in World War II, which completely destroyed the company's factory in Abruzzi on Italy's South-Central east coast. After Eduardo Bianchi died in a road accident in 1946, the company passed into the hands of his son Giuseppe, who built a new facility in Desio and refocused its business on manufacturing bicycles, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

Giuseppe proposed to industrial giants Fiat and Pirelli to join him in founding a new company. Fiat would supply existing components and technical expertise, while Pirelli would supply its tires to this new OEM customer. Bianchi's role in this venture was to supply the bodies and complete the assembly of the cars.

Autobianchi's first production automobile was the Bianchina, built in 1957. The little Bianchina - with its 15 horsepower engine - was fuel efficient, economical, and had a smart and functional design. The Fiat 500's 479cc air-cooled, 2-cylinder engine was mounted in the rear and packaged in an all-new body designed by Fiat stylist Luigi Rapi, who managed the company's special design department. Rapi was also a key figure in organizing the new Desio factory for production, which began on September 11, 1957.

Horsepower soon increased to 18 and was available as a sedan, roadster, station wagon, and van.

Dubbed the 'Trasformabile,' the new car featured a two-door 'landaulet' body with a roll-back convertible top and fixed-roof frame. A full convertible, the cabriolet, began production in 1960 and carried through to 1969.

This particular example is an Autobianchi Cabriolet. It was partially restored in Bologna, Italy, by Officine Cortese and Imported Motor Cars in Santee, California. It has a 650cc engine, a 5-speed transmission, dual air Italian horns, emergency blinkers, and the original tool kit.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017