Yes, it’s hard to keep ones eyes from a BMW E12 coupe, especially such a fine example as this one. But there’s something much more exotic across the street, that NickyD spotted, shot and posted at the Cohort: an Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica (good opportunity to try out your Italian with that name). And where was this Bianchina spotted? In Sausalito, California, of course.
Well, seeing that this is the first time this Fiat 500 in a designer Italian suit has made its appearance here, we’re going to have to give the little Bianchina some amore.
The Bianchina was born in 1957, the very first product of Autobianchi, which had been created in 1955, and owned in equal thirds shares by Bianchi (famous for its bicycles), Fiat, and Pirelli Tires. Its purpose was to build higher-end versions of Fiat’s small cars, a niche that had been exploited up to that point by coachbuilders such as Moretti and Vignale. By 1968, Autobianchi was fully integrated into Fiat.
The Bianchina was of course based on the prosaic little Fiat 500, including its 479cc vertical twin (laid over on its side in these cars) making all of 15 hp. The body was designed by Luigi Rapi, head of Fiat’s special body unit. The Bianchina was essentially the same as so many small Autobianchis since: to be stylish, compact city cars targeted especially at affluent women and to be the second car in the household. Something for her to go shopping in, while hubby drove the big Alfa sedan (or Ferrari) to the office (or to see his mistress). It came in a surprisingly wide variety of body styles, which we’ll peruse thanks the Wikipedia.
Probably the one that most epitomizes the Bianchina is the Trasformabile, a 2+2 coupe with a large, roll-down roof center section, or cabrio-coupe. This is the one, and the cabriolet are of course what that target demographic most likely would be seen in.
In this case, it’s Audrey Hepburn, in “How To Steal A Million”.
And here’s a cozy foursome at the water’s edge. The Cabrio dates to 1960, by which time its engine was increased to a full 499cc, and 18hp. There was also a special version of the Trasformabile with two-tone paint and a hotter 21hp engine.
The Berlina was of course the sedan. Maybe the least successful of the body styles.
The Panoramica wagon had an extended rear, which made it the most practical of the bunch. It works a lot better for me than the Berlina.
And there were two van versions, called Furgoncino. This is the low-roof version, based on the Panoramica.
The high-roof version is of course a bit more utilitarian, something the plumber might arrive in. Just why Autobianchi was building such utilitarian trucklets when its main mission was to compete with the carrozzieri is a bit odd, but most likely Fiat just wanted to stick to the high-volume models.
This final shot gives a good frame of reference as to just how small these cars are. They were small in their day, but now they’re positively microscopic.
Wow, these are fresh material for me. And yes, that is really small. Either that Cabrio or the Panoramica could find a place in my garage.
Wouldn’t need a garage, just a large garden shed for one.
That is just the definition of adorable right there. I feel like giving it a hug, or starting a Bianchina vs Isetta racing league, perhaps.
Re: the last photo and caption.
Perhaps it is the right size and the other cars are cartoonishly gigantic!
When I lived in Florence for a bit, even Volvo 245’s looked gigantic until a full sized 75 Pontiac from Holland parked near the Ufizzi.
Very very cool car. The autobianci is cool too.
Thank you for this expose. I had heard of them, seen some, but never knew so much of the history of Autobianchini. As for its platform, the Fiat 500, on Arthur Avenue in The Bronx, New York in front of an Italian Restaurant, the proprietor has a vintage 1950’s Fiat 500 displayed on the sidewalk! It does not take up that much space. He also has a sign requesting that people do not touch. These are good cars for the young because they can contort their bodies more easily to enter and exit than those of us who are up in years. Again, thanks for the treat. Tom
Speaking of contorting bodies – four up in the convertible?
“…compact city cars targeted especially at affluent women and to be the second car in the household. Something for her to go shopping in, while hubby drove the big Alfa sedan (or Ferrari) to the office (or to see his mistress)”
“In this case, it’s Audrey Hepburn, in “How To Steal A Million”
Wait a minute, Bianchina buyer. If your wife is Audrey Hepburn and you still feel the need for a mistress, it’s time to admit that you’re just not going to be satisfied by life.
His mistress was a girl called Claudia Cardinale. Don’ t know why did he buy a Bianchina for… On a serious side: did this Bianchi company have any relation to the prewar auto factory of identical name?
Yes, it was the same company:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bianchi_(company)#Motor_production
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobianchi#Origins
What a delightful little car! It does seem to have a good deal more practicality as a wagon than its sedan brethren–but, having to live above the motor, is the load floor peculiarly high?
I guess the same question could be asked about a VW squareback.
I forgot to mention that the 500s vertical twin was laid over on its side for these cars and the Fiat 500 wagon version. That brought the floor down to a pretty reasonable level.
VW made a “pancake” version of their engine for the 1500/1600 Type 3, with a smaller blower mounted directly off the rear end of the crankcase. The Type IV engine as used in the later buses and Porsche 914 were like that too. Only the Type 1 engine had the tall blower.
My first “car” was one of these, the low-roof van version. A real giggle around town, a bit alarming mixing it with big trucks on motorways. But just enough space in the back for this 6’3″ teenager to sleep or pack a bicycle. Slow of course, no syncromesh on 1st gear. Rusty, oh yes, very rusty at 5 years old. Never seen another one.
The floor is lower than you’d think as the engine is modified, compared to the Saloons, by lying it on it’s side so the cylinders are horizontal rather than vertical.
The engine in these is laid over to the right, and the floor is at normal wagon height. Fiat made a 500 wagon too, so Autobianchi didn’t have to invent anything new. As for the VW Squareback, those have what’s referred to as a “pancake” fan, lying on its back and blowing down.
The Giardinetta is what the Fiat’s wagon is called; there is usually at least one in attendance at Best of France & Italy every November.
The Fiat 500 wagon was called Giardiniera, since the term Giardinetta was trademarked by Carrozzeria Viotti, who used it to indicate woody wagon conversions on a variety of cars, from the Topolino to the Lancia Aurelia.
I love it in all its variations, but I’d be too terrified to actually put one on the road
The low volume postwar Italian coachbuilders added greatly to wider industry progress. Very nice to see here.
The Bianchina Trasformabile just has to be what the Pike Factory folks were thinking of when they designed the Nissan Figaro.
That one was on BaT back at the end of March:
http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1964-autobianchi-bianchina-panoramica-decapottabile-2/