Fiat was absent from the American market for nearly three decades, but came roaring back in 2011 when the re-imagined Cinquecento was introduced. The company now offers several Fiat 500 - opens in new window or tab. variants, including the wagon-like 500L and the SUV-ish 500X, as well as Abarth performance versions. It turns out that the tradition of spinning off custom Fiat 500s dates back at least to the 1950s, when cars like this gorgeous restored 1967 Autobianchi Bianchina were produced.
Credit goes to Edoardo Bianchi, who started producing cars in 1899, after making bicycles in Milan for a generation. As World War II approached, the company turned to truck production (using Mercedes engines). Bianchi died in 1946. But after the war, Bianchi’s company returned to car production with help from Fiat and Pirelli. By 1955, the company was reborn as Autobianchi, a maker of Fiat 500s retrofitted with upscale features and sleeker lines. Its first model, the Bianchina, was unveiled in 1957 at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.
This Bianchina was completely renovated in 2015 and 2016.
The tiny ride was marketed as a second car for Italian families emerging into middle class. That’s not dissimilar to the marketing of today’s Fiat 500 to those who want a small, fun, and easy way to navigate around crowded cities. Perhaps more importantly, Fiat used Autobianchi to test models that it was considering for mainstream production.
The wonderful 1967 Autobianchi Bianchina example—which sold on eBay—was located in Puglia, Italy. The seller said that it runs fine and everything is in working order—and that it has very low operating costs. “Consumption is ridiculous,” the seller states, referring to the amount of fuel needed to move the small car via its modest air-cooled rear-mounted 2-cylinder 0.5-liter engine. Horsepower is probably in the 20-pony range.
In addition to the hardtop (Berlina) version, like the one for sale, there were Autobianchi partial-roof and full cabriolet variants, roadsters, stations wagons, and vans—as well as models with suicide doors and those offering four seats. Some had luxury features, such as chrome fitting and ornamental moldings. By 1960, annual production had reached about 30,000 units.
Manufacturing lasted until about 1969, so the car listed on eBay could be one of the last creations from Autobianchi Bianchina. The micro-car could be considered a predecessor to today’s Fiat 500s, which come in several shapes and sizes, each provided with the owner's ability to customize features and designs to meet the latest automotive fashion.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.