Autobianchi Bianchina

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Autobianchi Bianchina
Autobianchi Bianchina Berlina Bianca.jpg
Autobianchi Bianchina
Overview
Manufacturer Autobianchi
Production1957–1970
Designer Luigi Rapi
Body and chassis
Class City car
Body style Berlina (saloon)
Cabriolet (roadster)
Trasformabile (convertible)
Panoramica (station wagon)
Furgoncino (van)
Layout RR layout
Related Fiat 500
Powertrain
Engine
  • 479 cc ohv I2
  • 499 cc ohv I2
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 1,840 mm (72.4 in) (All)
1,940 mm (76.4 in) (Panoramica)
Length3,020 mm (118.9 in) (Berlina, Cabriolet)
2,985 mm (117.5 in) (Trasformabile)
3,225 mm (127.0 in) (Panoramica)
Width1,340 mm (52.8 in) (All)
Height1,320 mm (52.0 in) (All)
1,330 mm (52.4 in) (Panoramica)
Curb weight 530 kg (1,168 lb) (Berlina)
510 kg (1,124 lb) (Trasformabile)
585 kg (1,290 lb) (Panoramica)
535 kg (1,179 lb) (Cabriolet)
Chronology
Successor Autobianchi A112

The Autobianchi Bianchina is a minicar produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi, based on the Fiat 500's chassis and mechanicals. It was available in various configurations: Berlina (saloon), Cabriolet (roadster), Trasformabile (fixed profile convertible), Panoramica (station wagon), and Furgoncino (van). The car was presented to the public on 16 September 1957 at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.

Contents

Initially, the car was equipped with the smallest Fiat engine, air-cooled 479 cc, producing 15 PS (11 kW). In 1959, the engine power was increased to 16.5 PS (12.1 kW) and in 1960, the cabriolet version was launched.

In the same year, the Trasformabile, whose engine cylinder capacity was increased to 499 cc and 17.5 PS (12.9 kW), was made available in a Special version with bicolour paint and an engine enhanced to 21 PS (15.4 kW). This body style featured a fixed B-pillar and partial roof, like the rest of the opening was covered with a foldable fabric hood, while the Cabriolet version had no B-pillar. The Trasformabile was the only version to feature suicide doors, and in 1962, it was replaced by a four-seat saloon. The engine and chassis were the same in both.

In 1965, a minor facelift was made and in the Berlina, the regular engine gained a half horsepower.

In France, the various Bianchina models were sold under different names: the Berlina became the Lutèce, the Familiare the Texane, and the Cabriolet was marketed as the Eden Roc. [1]

Production

The Bianchina was produced from 1957 to 1970, for a total volume of approximately 275,000.

ModelYears producedPower (hp (metric))Capacity (cc)Production
Trasformabile series 11957–19581547917,000
Trasformabile series 21959–196016.547910,000
Trasformabile series 31961–196217.54997,000
Trasformabile Special1959–1962214991,500
Cabriolet series 11960214991,050
Cabriolet series 2 D1961–1964214995,500
Cabriolet series 3 F1965–1969214992,750
Berlina D1962–196417.549926,500
Berlina F1965–19691849933,500
Berlina Special D1962–1964214994,000
Berlina Special F1965–1969214995,000
Panoramica D1960–196417.549975,000
Panoramica F1965–196917.549985,000
Panoramica sun roof1960–196917.5499
Furgoncino van, low roof1965–197017.5499
Furgonetta van, tall roof1970–197717.5499

Source: Club Bianchina and Bianchina Classic Club

Autobianchi Bianchina Giardiniera

Autobianchi also used the Bianchina name for the Autobianchi Bianchina Giardiniera. [2]

The 1966 movie How to Steal a Million with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole features Hepburn's character driving a red Autobianchi Bianchina cabriolet. [3]

Italian comedy character Ugo Fantozzi, created by Paolo Villaggio and protagonist of television monologues, short stories, and films, famously drives a white Bianchina, usually somewhat damaged and with a four-leaf clover decal on the left side. The car is known for its tendency to become badly damaged throughout these stories.

In the animation film Despicable Me 2 , the car of Lucy Wilde resembles a Bianchina Trasformabile. [4]

The car is owned and driven by Lolita Lobosco in the eponymous Italian detective series broadcast in the UK by Channel 4 in its Walter Presents series (S1 E2, 01:01:30).

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References

  1. "Autobianchi Bianchina". Catalogue Salon de l'Auto 68 (in French). No. 16. Paris: Europe Auto. 1968. p. 11.
  2. Bianchina - Giardiniera, www.autobianchi.org Retrieved on 30 July 2014
  3. "Autobianchi Eden Roc in "How to Steal a Million"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  4. "Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile in "Despicable Me 2"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-08-06.