Una bella macchina · 1957–1970
Autobianchi Bianchina: history and buying advice
Fiat mechanics in a smarter suit: the Bianchina was Autobianchi’s first car.
History
On 11 January 1955 Bianchi, Fiat and Pirelli formed a partnership: Autobianchi. Fiat supplied the mechanics, Pirelli the tyres, and Bianchi built the bodies and assembled the cars, in a new factory in Desio. We also know Bianchi from the motorcycles and the bicycles.
On 11 September 1957 the first Bianchina rolled off the line. That was the Trasformabile, with a folding canvas roof. Under the prettier body were the mechanics of the Fiat Nuova 500, with the air-cooled twin at the rear. The Bianchina cost about 20 percent more than the 500.
More versions followed: a cabriolet and the Panoramica estate in 1960, the four-seat Berlina in 1962 and the Furgoncino van in 1965. Most passenger cars ended in 1969 and 1970; a high-roof van continued until 1977.
About 275,000 Bianchinas were built in total, and the Panoramica was the best seller. Also read Where it all began.
Key data
| Engine | 2 cylinders, air-cooled, at the rear (Fiat 500 mechanics) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 479 cc, later 499 cc |
| Power | 15 to 21 hp, depending on version and year |
| Gears | 4 |
| Versions | Trasformabile, Cabriolet, Berlina, Panoramica, Furgoncino |
| Factory | Desio, near Milan |
| Number built | about 275,000 |
What to check when buying
- The mechanics are Fiat 500 and parts for them are easy to find. Body panels and trim of the Bianchina itself are much harder.
- On the Trasformabile and the Cabriolet check the roof and drainage: leaks cause rust in the floor.
- Old small cars rust. Look under the mats at the floor, along the full length of the sills, in the wheel arches and at the bottom of the doors. If you can already see rust on the outside, there is usually more underneath.
- Here too: no synchromesh in the gearbox, and blue smoke or rattling from the engine cost money. See the points under the Fiat Nuova 500.
- Compare the chassis number with the papers. For importing from Italy, everything is on our page Buying a motorcycle in Italy; for a car the procedure at the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) is the same.
SourcesWikipedia: Autobianchi (English)Wikipedia: Autobianchi Bianchina (English)Hagerty: Cars that time forgot, Autobianchi Bianchina (English)
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