• Year of manufacture 
    1958
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

Founded in 1899 by Eduardo Bianchi, the Bianchi Company made vehicles for 56 years. These included full-size cars, tanks, and trucks with Mercedes engines. But the factory was destroyed during the war and he had been unable to recover. In 1955, Milanese industrialist Ferrucio Quintavalle organised a new company involving Bianchi, Fiat, and the Pirelli Tire Company, called Autobianchi SpA. Trucks would continue to be manufactured by the firm, and motorcycles would be manufactured by Eduardo Bianchi SpA.
Two years later, at the Milan show, the first car to carry the name Autobianchi arrived. The Bianchina Transformabile (Convertible) was one of the first adaptations of the 500 Nuova, using its chassis, engine, and transmission, but with a very attractively styled coupe body with a roll-back roof, reminiscent of the French Vespa 400.
In 1958, it was given a stronger engine and became available as a sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon. During this year, Giuseppe Bianchi, Eduardo’s son, sold the family holdings in Autobianchi to Fiat, and in 1963, Fiat gained full control. In 1960, just over 30,000 of these cars were built. 
The 1960 Geneva show saw the debut of what was arguably the prettiest of all the models, the Bianchina Special Convertible. It was a little luxury car, with a luxury price, and it was immediately accepted by the fashionable jet setters as a second car or runabout. Designer Luigi Rapi drew a well proportioned shape, highlighted by a side spear chrome moulding. Interior fittings were more attractive. The indicators were fitted separately below the headlights, not on the bumper guards. The cooling slots on the side below the doors and the chrome borders below the body edge were eliminated, and the windscreen was more angular. The model went through three series with minor alterations and improvements, in total 9,350 units of the Bianchina Cabriolet were built. This lovely Bianchina Trasformabile is presented in a desirable two-tone colour combination, and equipped with a very rare air fan, and its original road wheels. The car is in very original condition, and mechanically we are informed it performs well. In short, it’s great fun to drive! Collectors should note the car retains many rare Bianchina features such as the steering wheel with Autobianchi logo. A wonderful toy that it’s also a very good investment for every car lover.
View 1958 Bianchina Transformabile on www.coys.co.uk for further details.


Coys Auctions
Manor Court
Lower Mortlake Road
Richmond
TW9 2LL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Nick
Last name 
Wiles

Phone 
+44-2086147888
Mobile phone 
+44-2086147889