Autobianchi Bianchina
| Autobianchi Bianchina | |
|---|---|
 Autobianchi Bianchina | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Autobianchi |
| Also called | Fiat Bianchina Neckar Panorama |
| Production | 1957–1970 |
| Designer | Luigi Rapi |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | RR layout |
| Doors | Suicide (Trasformabile only) |
| Related | Fiat 500 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| 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'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 15 PS (11 kW). In 1959, the engine power was increased to 16.5 PS (12.1 kW) and in 1960, the cabriolet version was launched.
In the same year, the Trasformabile, whose engine cylinder capacity was increased to 499 cc and 17.5 PS (12.9 kW), was made available in a Special version with bicolour paint and an engine enhanced to 21 PS (15.4 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 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] In the United States, the importer marketed them with Fiat badging rather than as Autobianchis. The Panorama was also assembled by Neckar Automobilwerke AG in West Germany as the "Neckar Panorama".
Production
[edit]- Bianchina models
-
Trasformabile -
Cabriolet -
Berlina -
Panoramica -
Furgoncino (low roof) -
Furgoncino (tall roof)
_-_Flickr_-_mick_-_Lumix.jpg)
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 |
Source: Club Bianchina and Bianchina Classic Club
Autobianchi Bianchina Giardiniera
[edit]Autobianchi also used the Bianchina name for the Autobianchi Bianchina Giardiniera.[2]
In popular culture
[edit]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).
References
[edit]- ^ "Autobianchi Bianchina". Catalogue Salon de l'Auto 68 (in French). No. 16. Paris: Europe Auto. 1968. p. 11.
- ^ Bianchina - Giardiniera, www.autobianchi.org Retrieved on 30 July 2014
- ^ "Autobianchi Eden Roc in "How to Steal a Million"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
- ^ "Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile in "Despicable Me 2"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
External links
[edit]- Registro Autobianchi
- Bianchina Club at web.archive.org
- Bianchina Classic Club (Italian only)
- [1] ( Autobianchi Bianchina Furgoncino)
