Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 005265
Italian automaker Autobianchi was founded in 1955 as a joint
venture between Pirelli, Fiat, and Bianchi -a bicycle manufacturer
founded in 1885 and named for its founder Edoardo Bianchi. The goal
was to produce small and stylish microcars for post-war Italy,
while also acting as a testbed for parent company Fiat to develop
new technologies to be used in its main product line. Inspired by
the popularity of coachbuilt Fiat 500s, Autobianchi introduced its
first model in 1957, the Bianchina, with a variety of charming body
styles over its production run including the Berlina (sedan),
Cabriolet (convertible), Trasformabile (fixed profile convertible),
Panoramica (station wagon), and Furgoncino (van). The Bianchina
shared its reliable mechanicals with the Fiat 500, including its
air-cooled straight twin engine which grew to 499 cc in 1959,
producing a spritely 25 horsepower. What it lacked in power and
size it more than made up for with its charming appearance and
cheerful color schemes, embodying the increasing optimism of
post-war Italy.
This rare and stylish Cabriolet model, chassis number 005265, hails
from the third series of Bianchina production and is offered in a
lovely white over black specification. Benefitting from a partial
restoration undertaken by Officine Cortese in Bologna, Italy, and
finished by Imported Motor Cars of Santee, California, the Bianchi
is powered by an upgraded 650 cc, rear-mounted air-cooled engine
paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Further notable
equipment includes its dual horns, driver's sideview mirror, chrome
hubcaps, and neatly folding black canvas soft top. This wonderfully
restored Italian microcar is accompanied by a spare tire, jack, and
tools, providing its next fortunate owner with a healthy dose of La
Dolce Vita.
