| Autobianchi Bianchina | |
| Manufacturer: | Autobianchi |
| Production: | 1957–1970 |
| Successor: | Autobianchi A112 |
| Class: | City car |
| Layout: | RR layout |
| Body Style: | Berlina (saloon) Cabriolet (roadster) Trasformabile (convertible) Panoramica (station wagon) Furgoncino (van) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Wheelbase: | 18401NaN1 (All) 19401NaN1 (Panoramica) |
| Length: | 30201NaN1 (Berlina, Cabriolet) 29851NaN1 (Trasformabile) 3225NaN (Panoramica) |
| Width: | 13401NaN1 (All) |
| Height: | 13201NaN1 (All) 13301NaN1 (Panoramica) |
| Weight: | 5300NaN0 (Berlina) 5100NaN0 (Trasformabile) 585NaN (Panoramica) 5350NaN0 (Cabriolet) |
| Related: | Fiat 500 |
| Designer: | Luigi Rapi |
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.
Initially, the car was equipped with the smallest Fiat engine, air-cooled 479 cc, producing . In 1959, the engine power was increased to and in 1960, the cabriolet version was launched.
In the same year, the Trasformabile, whose engine cylinder capacity was increased to 499 cc and, was made available in a Special version with bicolour paint and an engine enhanced to . 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]
The Bianchina was produced from 1957 to 1970, for a total volume of approximately 275,000.
| Model | Years produced | Power (hp (metric)) | Capacity (cc) | Production | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trasformabile series 1 | 1957–1958 | 15 | 479 | 17,000 | |
| Trasformabile series 2 | 1959–1960 | 16.5 | 479 | 10,000 | |
| Trasformabile series 3 | 1961–1962 | 17.5 | 499 | 7,000 | |
| Trasformabile Special | 1959–1962 | 21 | 499 | 1,500 | |
| Cabriolet series 1 | 1960 | 21 | 499 | 1,050 | |
| Cabriolet series 2 D | 1961–1964 | 21 | 499 | 5,500 | |
| Cabriolet series 3 F | 1965–1969 | 21 | 499 | 2,750 | |
| Berlina D | 1962–1964 | 17.5 | 499 | 26,500 | |
| Berlina F | 1965–1969 | 18 | 499 | 33,500 | |
| Berlina Special D | 1962–1964 | 21 | 499 | 4,000 | |
| Berlina Special F | 1965–1969 | 21 | 499 | 5,000 | |
| Panoramica D | 1960–1964 | 17.5 | 499 | 75,000 | |
| Panoramica F | 1965–1969 | 17.5 | 499 | 85,000 | |
| Panoramica sun roof | 1960–1969 | 17.5 | 499 | ||
| Furgoncino van, low roof | 1965–1970 | 17.5 | 499 | ||
| Furgonetta van, tall roof | 1970–1977 | 17.5 | 499 |
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).