Autobianchi Bianchina
Autobianchi Bianchina
Overview
Manufacturer	Autobianchi
Production	1957–1970
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)
Length	3,020 mm (118.9 in) (Berlina, Cabriolet) 2,985 mm (117.5 in) (Trasformabile) 3,225 mm (127.0 in) (Panoramica)
Width	1,340 mm (52.8 in) (All)
Height	1,320 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. 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 15 PS (11 kW). In 1959, the engine power was increased to 17 PS (13 kW) and in 1960, the cabriolet version was launched.

In the same year, the Trasformabile, whose engine cylinder capacity was increased to 499 cc (18 hp), was made available in a Special version with bicolour paint, and an engine enhanced to 21 PS (15 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. In France, the 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

• Bianchina models
• 
  Trasformabile
• 
  Cabriolet
• 
  Berlina
• 
  Panoramica
• 
  Furgoncino (low roof)
• 
  Furgoncino (tall roof)

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

Source: Club Bianchina and Bianchina Classic Club

Autobianchi Bianchina Giardiniera

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

In popular culture

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).