Autobianchi Bianchina is based on the Fiat 500. They share all vital dimensions and mechanics, but the Autobianchi was offered in more and fancier body styles.
Several variants
Bianchina proved that a mass-produced microcar didn't have to be boring. It came in different variants such as Convertible, Sedan, Overview (station wagon) and Van (van). The car depicted in the main picture is a Transformable - a semi-cabriolet where the middle part of the roof could be folded down in its entire length like on the Citroen 2CV - or like a sardine can to put it in an unglamorous way. Various variants and the possibility of two-tone color combinations made it possible to order a vehicle that appeared to be individually adapted. Typical Italian.
Model history
Transformable was the first Bianchina model to be put into production based on the Fiat Nuova 500. The little Autobianchi got the same engine as the Nuova 500 – a 2-cylinder air-cooled engine of 479 ccm. In 1960, when the Nuova 500 was replaced by the 500D, both Fiat and Autobianchi got a slightly larger engine of 499 ccm. Technically, the Bianchina is built on the same platform as the Fiat 500 and shares all the technology. Bianchina was produced between 1957 and 1970 in several variants, but the beautiful one Transformable disappeared from the model program as early as 1962, while the Cabriolet version followed Biachina on. It was a real convertible where whole the roof could be folded down.
As a hobby car
There is little doubt that the Autobianchi Bianchina is perfectly suited as a hobby car. In terms of price, complete and drivable cars are between €5000 and €25. At the top of the price list are the Transformabile and Cabriolet in showroom condition. If you are content with a Berlina with some signs of use, you will find good and drivable cars for under €000. After looking at the 10000 cars that were currently for sale on mobile.de, I get the impression that there are still some that are still - or have recently been - in traffic, and that there are sellers who sell the cars as used cars and not as classic, Italian vintage cars.
About the pictures
The pictures of the two reds Transformable is taken in Fornebu at a small meeting where the Norwegian Fiat Register visited the Vespa museum several years ago. The images of Panoramica are auction images sourced from the auction house Interencheres.
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