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Autobianchi Bianchina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Autobianchi Bianchina
Autobianchi Bianchina
Overview
ManufacturerAutobianchi
Production1957–1970
DesignerLuigi Rapi
Body and chassis
ClassCity car
Body style
LayoutRR layout
DoorsSuicide (Trasformabile only)
RelatedFiat 500
Powertrain
Engine
  • 479 cc ohv I2
  • 499 cc ohv I2
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,840 mm (72.4 in) (All)
1,940 mm (76.4 in) (Panoramica)
Length3,020 mm (118.9 in) (Berlina, Cabriolet)
2,985 mm (117.5 in) (Trasformabile)
3,225 mm (127.0 in) (Panoramica)
Width1,340 mm (52.8 in) (All)
Height1,320 mm (52.0 in) (All)
1,330 mm (52.4 in) (Panoramica)
Curb weight530 kg (1,168 lb) (Berlina)
510 kg (1,124 lb) (Trasformabile)
585 kg (1,290 lb) (Panoramica)
535 kg (1,179 lb) (Cabriolet)
Chronology
SuccessorAutobianchi 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]

Production

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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

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

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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

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  1. ^ "Autobianchi Bianchina". Catalogue Salon de l'Auto 68 (in French). No. 16. Paris: Europe Auto. 1968. p. 11.
  2. ^ Bianchina - Giardiniera, www.autobianchi.org Retrieved on 30 July 2014
  3. ^ "Autobianchi Eden Roc in "How to Steal a Million"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  4. ^ "Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile in "Despicable Me 2"". IMCDb.org. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
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