1964 Autobianchi Bianchina

Cabriolet
Chassis number: 005265

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 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