Founded by Edoardo Bianchi in 1885
Autobianchi Bianchina
Cabriolet - 1963
Autobianchi was an Italian automobile manufacturer,
created jointly by Bianchi, Pirelli and Fiat in 1955.
Autobianchi
produced
only
a
handful
of
models
during
its
lifetime,
which
were
almost
exclusively
small
cars,
with
the
biggest
being
the
short-lived
Autobianchi
A111,
a
small
family
car.
Autobianchis
were
priced
higher
than
Fiat
models
of
similar
size
and
the
brand
was
used
by
Fiat
to
test
new
and
innovative
concepts
which
later
found
their
way
into
mainstream
Fiat
vehicles; these concepts included fibreglass bodies and front-wheel drive.
The
most
famous
Autobianchi
models
include
the
A112
released
in
1969,
a
small
hatchback
very
popular
in
Italy
for
racing,
and
which
ceased
production
in
1986;
as
well
as
the
Y10,
which
was
the
first
car
to
use
Fiat's
new
FIRE
(Fully
Integrated
Robotised
Engine).
The
Primula
was
the
car
with
which
Fiat
introduced
the
particular
front-wheel
drive
arrangement
of
engine,
transmission
and
differential
(final
drive)
that
has
become
prevalent
in
its
cars
today.
This
car
competed
with
the Innocenti-built Mini, which was the inspiration for the drivetrain layout.
Autobianchi
was
bought
by
the
Fiat
group
and
integrated
into
the
operations
of
Lancia.
The
marque
survived
in
Italy
until
the
end
of
the
Y10's
production
in
1995,
but
became
extinct
elsewhere when the model was rebranded as a Lancia in 1989.
History
Bianchi,
founded
by
Edoardo
Bianchi
in
1885
and
now
remembered
primarily
as
a
bicycle
manufacturer,
was
also
active
in
passenger
car
manufacturer
from
1899.
Bianchis
were
in
general
high-end
luxury
cars,
made
with
high
attention
to
detail.
The
company's
factory
in
Abruzzi
was
destroyed
by
bombing
during
World
War
II.
Edoardo
Bianchi
himself
died
in
1946
in
a
car
accident,
and
the
ownership
of
the
firm
passed
to
his
son,
Giuseppe.
Even
though
a
new,
modern
facility
was
constructed
in
Desio
after
the
war,
economic
conditions
forced
Giuseppe
not
to
resume
passenger
car
production,
but
rather
to
focus
on
bicycles,
motorcycles
and
commercial vehicles. Bianchi bicycles are still manufactured.
Bianchi's
general
manager,
Ferruccio
Quintavalle,
wanted
to
take
advantage
of
the
company's
extensive
experience
in
manufacturing
cars
and
ordered
the
preparation
of
studies
and
prototypes
of
possible
new
models.
Soon
it
became
apparent
that
resuming
passenger
car
production
would
not
be
feasible
without
a
help
of
stronger
partner.
Therefore,
Bianchi
turned
to
large
industrial
groups
Fiat
and
Pirelli
with
a
proposal
to
form
a
new
company
to
produce
automobiles.
Thus,
the
Autobianchi
company
was
born,
with
the
agreement
signed
by
the
three
parties
on
11
January
1955
and
share
capital
of
3
million
lira,
33%
of
which
belonged
to
the
Bianchi
family.
A
new,
modern,
purpose-built
plant
for
the
production
of
Autobianchi
cars
was
erected on an area of 140,000 square metres in Desio.
Each
of
the
partners
had
a
clearly
defined
role
and
interest
in
the
venture.
Fiat
was
to
provide
the
technical
base
and
components
for
the
assembly
of
the
cars.
It
was
seeking
to
capture
the
premium
niche
of
the
small
car
market,
at
that
time
occupied
by
coachbuilders
such
as
Moretti
and
Vignale,
who
were
building
their
models
on
Fiat
chassis.
Pirelli,
which
was
to
supply
tires
for
the
cars,
sought
to
expand
their
OEM
market
share.
Bianchi,
was
assigned
the
duties
of
preparing
the
bodies
and
assembling
complete
vehicles;
a
step
towards
their
desired
return
to
full passenger car production.
Bianchina
The
first
car
to
be
produced
by
the
new
company
was
the
Bianchina,
whose
name
was
a
tribute
to Edoardo Bianchi's first 1899 car. The Bianchina was based on Fiat 500 mechanicals
–
with
its
two-cylinder,
air
cooled
engine
mounted
in
the
rear
–
but
featured
a
completely
new
stylish
body
designed
by
Luigi
Rapi,
who
was
in
charge
of
Fiat's
special
body
unit
and
helped
to
set
up
production
in
Desio.
With
many
premium
design
and
equipment
features,
the
Bianchina
emerged
as
an
upscale
minicar,
slotting
above
the
Fiat
500
in
the
market.
Marketed
as
a
"second
vehicle
in
the
household",
and
a
luxurious
"recreational
vehicle",
also
being
targeted
at
affluent
middle-class women, it mirrored the increasing affluence in Italian society.
The
first
Bianchina
rolled
from
the
production
lines
in
Desio
on
September
11,
1957
and
had
the
unusual
body
style
of
a
two-door
landaulet,
called
"Trasformabile".
It
remained
the
sole
body
style
until
1960,
when
a
two-door
"Cabriolet"
was
introduced,
followed
by
a
three-door
estate
version,
the
"Panoramica"
and
a
two-door
saloon,
the
"Berlina".
Finally,
two
van
versions
were
launched:
one
resembling
a
two-seater
version
of
the
Panoramica,
and
another,
with
a
raised
and expanded cargo section.
1963
Engine
295 cc
2 cylinders
Power
13 HP
Top speed
85 km/h
Lenght/width
2,29 m/1,38 m
Weight
340 kg
Car is based on Fiat 500 technics, also
known by the name Autobianchi Eden
Rock. The Cabriolet model is very
rare. Sales value in international car
auctions would be more than 20.000€
(2014).
Photos mainly by Matti Kreivilä. Historical facts and technical details of the vehicles provided by Wikipedia. Movies YouTube.