If someone is asked if they remember the car brand Autobianchi, most will probably shake their head. Some with an interest in motorsport may remember the small, fast Abarth model. Ordinary passenger car models have probably long been forgotten.
Started as "Bianchi"
The factory started as "Bianchi" in 1885 with bicycle production. Car production began in 1899. The car models that were produced were initially mostly few and expensive luxury models. Later, more affordable models came, and production increased. In the 1930s, the production of trucks became increasingly important. In the 1930s, a large number of trucks were produced for the army in Italy. After the war, Bianchi continued with the production of trucks, motorcycles and bicycles. Some prototypes of passenger cars saw the light of day, but they never went into production. But in 1955 a new company was started whose owners were Bianchi, Fiat and Pirelli. The name of the new company became Autobianchi SpA. As early as 1957, the first new car model came on the market. One of the most important tasks for Autobianchi in the 1960s was to test out new ideas for Fiat, which took over the company 100% in 1964.
Autobianchi Primula
The all-new model Primula, which was launched in 1964, was a very important car model. Not just for Autobianchi, but for the entire Fiat group. Before this model came on the market, all cars from Fiat had been rear-wheel drive. The all-new Primula had front-wheel drive with the engine positioned transversely. Here was tomorrow's technology that Fiat could test out on models from a subsidiary. The engine came from the Fiat 1100D. The new model came in several variants. What came first were combi models with 3 or 5 doors. A little later, a sports car with a larger engine also came.
Recognized concept
Primula was well received on the car market. It came in second place when the car of the year in Europe was named in 1965. That convinced the management at Fiat, and the development of car models with front-wheel drive was prioritized. Both the Fiat 127 and 128 were a direct result of the development of the Primula which disappeared in 1970.
Facts about Autobianchi Primula
Length: 378 cm.
Width: 158 cm.
Height: 140 cm.
Top speed: 136 km/h.
Engine: 1221 ccm, 59 hp
See
Anders de Lange
Anders de Lange writes about car history. He has written about cars and car history for over 30 years, published his own books and written for the Norwegian car press.