Cabriolet
In 1885, 20-year-old Eduardo Bianchi set up a bicycle-making business in Milan, and before long, was making motorized three-wheelers and then, before the turn of the century, four-wheelers. In the 1920s, Bianchi was third behind Fiat and Lancia in Italian car production. Industrialist Ferruccio Quintavalle reorganized in partnership with Pirelli and Fiat in 1955 as Autobianchi, which in 1957 began making the Bianchina, a two-seat coupe based on the Fiat 500.
Cabriolet
Chassis number: 010682
Engine number: 056204
After spending many years of service, this Autobianchi was put into storage where it would remain for nearly 4 decades. The car was re-discovered when the building where the car was stored, was sold. This 'trasformabile' model has a fully retractable sunroof and was treated to a full restoration. Inside, there are black seats piped in with red-custom-sewn upholstery and red carpeting. The engine and all mechanical systems have been rebuilt.
In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Pebble Beach where it was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $31,900 including the buyer's premium.
by Dan Vaughan
Cabriolet
In 1885, 20-year-old Eduardo Bianchi set up a bicycle-making business in Milan, and before long, was making motorized three-wheelers and before 1900, four-wheelers. In the 1920s, Bianchi was third, behind only Fiat and Lancia, in Italian car production. Industrialist Ferruccio Quintavalle reorganized in partnership with Pirelli and Fiat in 1955 as Autobianchi, which in 1957 began making the Bianchina, a two-seat coupe based on the Fiat Nuova 500. Later, a convertible, or transformable, joined the lineup and horsepower increased from the air-cooled, inline 2-cylinder from 18 to 21 horsepower.
Cabriolet
Chassis number: 025184
Eduardo Bianchi was third behind Fiat and Lancia in Italian car production during the 1920s. In 1955, after allying with Fiat and Pirelli, the company changed its name to Autobianchi. Their first vehicle produced under this name was Bianchina. The design was based on the Fiat and offered many luxury features not found in the standard 500. The first body style was the trasformabile, or semi-convertible. During the production lifespan, only 10,000 of these examples were produced.
The Bianchina had a top speed of 60 mph and an estimated range of 300 miles. The fuel economy was rather impressive, rated at 50 mpg.
This example has been treated to a high-quality restoration. It is finished in red with cream accents and wears a new, black fold-down top. The inside is trimmed in tan and cream.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Scottsdale sale. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $44,000 including buyer's premium.
by Dan Vaughan
Cabriolet
Chassis number: 018663
This 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina trasformabile, Series 2, is an Italian microcar produced from 1959 to 1961. During that time, just 10,000 of these semi-convertible 'transformable' models were made. This example has been treated to a complete restoration to show quality. The engine is an original 479cc, 2-cylinder, air-cooled unit offering 17 horsepower. It has a 4-speed manual gearbox, 4-wheel independent suspension, and 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. It is finished in rec with cream accents and rides on Pirelli tires.
In 2013, this car was offered for sale at the Russo & Steele auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. As bidding came to a close, this vehicle was sold for $32,450 inclusive of the buyer's premium.
by Dan Vaughan
Cabriolet
Chassis number: 110B 022919
Engine number: 110.004 068204
This Bianchina was given a complete comprehensive Concours quality restoration. It was taken down to the bare tub, and media blasted with oxide in preparation for paint. It was finished in mint green with cream accents.
Since the restoration was completed, the car has traveled a mere 100 miles.
by Dan Vaughan
Cabriolet
Chassis number: 012492
Engine number: 063054
This red and white exterior is 13,000-plus miles on its odometer. It is powered by a 479cc overhead valve inline 2-cylinder air-cooled engine fitted with a Weber Single-choke carburetor. There are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and a four-speed manual rear transaxle.
The two-seat demi-convertible features a sliding fabric roof that stretched over a folding metal framework. Its design was by Luigi Rapi and the Autobianchi proved to be a dependable, reliable and economical means of transport. Production lasted for only a few years beginning in the late 1950s into the early 1960s.
This example has been given a recent cosmetic restoration including new paint, chrome and interior. The simple seats are now covered in red, non-original leather.
by Dan Vaughan
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 Dan Vaughan