| Automobiles of Arizona Thursday, January 21, 2010 - Friday, January 22, 2010 |
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| Friday | |||||||||
| 1961 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformable | |||||||||
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21 hp, 499.5 cc air-cooled, rear-mounted two-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 72.4" Founded in 1899 and located within Italy’s industrial heartland in Milan, Bianchi enjoyed independent status for the first 56 years of its history, and during this period, the company built a wide range of products including large automobiles, armored vehicles and a series of Mercedes-powered trucks. In 1955, following a business alliance with Fiat and Pirelli and a name change to Autobianchi SpA, the company refocused its operations on a long-running series of upscale variants of the Fiat 500. Introduced in September 1957, the resulting Bianchina was designed by Germany’s Bauhof firm and engineered by Dante Giacosa. Diminutive, yet bursting with character, the Bianchina offered sturdy, widely available Fiat 500 mechanicals and luxurious trim for the era. The understated yet captivating Bianchina was further enhanced by a series of mechanical upgrades, including a lowered suspension, contributing to a flatter and sportier ride. Despite its small two-cylinder air-cooled engine, the Bianchina was a capable performer, with a top speed of 60 mph and an estimated range of nearly 300 miles, while providing miserly fuel economy approaching 50 miles per gallon. While the Bianchina was just one of the many European “microcars” available during the mid-to-late 1950s, it was an unqualified success. In fact, with its sporty demeanor and limited-production cachet, the Bianchina was quickly regarded as “the rich man’s Fiat Cinquecento.” The Transformable was the first model released and was replaced by the Cabriolet in 1962. This striking example was in dry storage in Washington State before being acquired by the current owner and receiving a ground-up restoration. The body was completely disassembled and media blasted. It was virtually rust free with only minor problem areas, all of which were addressed. The car is reported to be very solid and the engine was fully serviced with new gaskets and a new fuel pump, clutch and pressure plate. It has all new hoses, brake lines and fuel lines as well as all new brakes, from the wheel cylinders to the master cylinder. The fuel tank was cleaned, the chrome is new and the alloy trim was polished. Every suspension component was refurbished, and new shocks were installed, along with new tires and rubber. The glass is original, as are the jack, owner’s manual and sales brochure that accompany the car. |
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