Autobianchi

Prehistory of the mark

Firm BIANCHI was founded in 1885 by Edoardo BIANCHI. It launched out in the construction of its first car (frame + driving) in 1902 with the " 12HP". Extremely of the recognition of qualities of this car, Edoardo BIANCHI founds on March 27th, 1905 the " Fabbrica of automobili E velocipedi Edoardo Bianchi & C".

Quickly, Edoardo BIANCHI is surrounded engineers recognized such as Guiseppe MEROSI, BRAMBILLA and Alfieri MASERATI, which confers on the mark prestige and recognition in Italy and abroad.

Very quickly competition with the FIAT is large. Thus between 1910 and 1915 pas less than three new models start production and in particular the " TO2". In order to unify the production, of the studies are committed to set up the Series " S" who will decline himself in several models: S/4 - S/5 1300 - S/5 1500 - S/8 - S/9.

Before the second world war two models will be an immense business success: Agusta and Aprillia. Nevertheless, the company will only recover very with difficulty from the consequences of the war, even if it continues to produce trucks, bicycles and motor bikes under the impulse of the son of the founder, Guiseppe BIANCHI.

This is why, thanks to the intervention of the Engineer QUINTAVALLE, on January 11th, 1955 Company AUTOBIANCHI with the FIAT and the PIRELLI manufacturer is made up. The Bianchi family holds 33% of the capital of the new business. The family factory of Abruzzi is destroyed and a new production site is established in Desio close to Milan. The creation of this new business marks economically and by contract the end of the construction of cars by the firm BIANCHI which still today continues to produce bicycles.

History of the mark

Mark AUTOBIANCHI was founded on January 11th, 1955 by an agreement between the companies FIAT and Pirelli and Mr Edoardo BIANCHI. The agreement provided that FIAT would be charged to provide the machine parts, PIRELLI the tires and that AUTOBIANCHI would carry out the body and the assembly of this puzzle.

From this agreement the first model will be born on September 16th, 1957 from the mark: the Bianchina Transformabile, followed many others derived.

The models according to, based on a frame and a mechanics of FIAT 600 D is the small convertible Stellina presented to the living room of Turin 1963.

1964 will be marked by the revolutionist Primula which one celebrated the 40 years in 2004. This car is revolutionist with many regards and in particular because it is the first car traction before been driven by an engine and its coupled gear box transverse. Apart from this technical innovation it lays out of 4 disc brakes, a fluid clutch and according to the versions of a forage ladder. Autobianchi became thus the laboratory with large scales of the group FIAT thus making it possible to test the reactions of the market.

In 1968, the mark is completely absorbed by FIAT.

In 1969 two completely new models are presented to the public: has 111 and has 112. Using many mechanical components of FIAT, these two cars differ despite everything completely from the remainder from the production from the Italian manufacturer.

At the end of 1969, the mark is placed under the control of Lancia which will continue until 1986 producing famous the has 112 which will remain badgée Autobianchi only in Italy and France.

In 1985, the mark presents the Y10 which will be manufactured under the mark Lancia excluded in Italy until its end of production (1992) and in France only until 1989 (by the will of the importer independent of the time: Mr André HANGING-POST).

In 1992 the historical production site of the mark with Désio in Italy is closed, marking the final end of the Autobianchi blazon. Since, one knows it, more no car of the group FIAT will not be produced under the Autobianchi mark of which the rights were yielded to Registro Autobianchi, the official club of the mark in Italy.

Thus in the total indifference the most innovative mark certainly of group FIAT purely and simply disappeared. Today our will is to preserve in France the inheritance of the mark.

models manufactured

- BIANCHINA It is on September 16th, 1957, with the Museum of Sciences and Technology of Milan which the day the first model of mark AUTOBIANCHI saw: Bianchina. Directly derived from FIAT 500, it made it possible FIAT to satisfy at the request of its customers of a more luxurious car of FIAT 500 basic than FIAT did not manage to manufacture in sufficient quantity because of the orders much higher than production capacities. Approximately 320.000 specimens were manufactured between 1957 and 1969, closing date of manufacture.

- STELLINA

Presented to the living room of Turin 1963, this model was manufactured with 502 specimens only. Its versions Crossed and Convertible were however well in the air of times, motorized well but,… the body was out of composite materials! and yes already well before our Matra and others of the Seventies . The Italians did not want a car out of plastic and were sulky it.

- PRIMULA The first traction before group FIAT (which used Autobianchi as laboratory life size) it is launched in 1964. It is true first world because it is the first front traction with engine and box transversals ever built. Thus it precedes several years the Peugeot 204 and the Renault 16. It is also revolutionist because it is also the first car in the world equipped with a body with Hayon, but also with 4 disc brakes and a fluid clutch! Very appreciated in France, it will be manufactured in 74.858 specimens until 1970.

- Autobianchi A111

Convey directly derived from the Primula. It takes again the platform and is thus a traction before equipped with the engine which will equip then FIAT 124 S and 124 Half-compartments. It always has of the 4 disc brakes and the fluid clutch. One can reproach him a too discrete body; it will be built with 56.894 specimens and will be the last large truck produced by Autobianchi whose factory of Desio, beside Milan, not being able to increase, will be conditioned for the has 112, great the 15 years success following.

- has 112 Launched in 1969, she wanted to be the anti Minis of BMC which began at this time there. Exit of project FIAT X1/2, it was in a refined and luxurious crenel which immediately rained much, at the women in particular, thanks to its reduced external dimensions. Equipped with a very nervous motorization, it could impress downtown and be pointed out on the road by accelerations époustouflantes. Most known among it is A112 Abarth, last works of Carlo Abarth, the Italian wizard, who existed in two versions 58 HP and 70 HP. Autobianchi A112 was built with 1.311.322 specimens of 1969 to 1986, it will be replaced by the Y10.

- Y10 Launched in 1985 with the living room of Geneva under the Autobianchi mark for the French markets and Italian, it will be marketed starting from 1990 pennies the label Lancia, except in Italy until the end of its career in 1995. In 1989 an electric version appeared in the catalog. Built with 802.605 specimens, it will yield its place to the Lancia Ypsilon in 1995.

Internal bonds

Car manufacturer

external bonds

Autobianchi Club of France: The club of the mark, all confused models, in France and of homage to André Chardonnet, importing Autobianchi, Lancia in France
Italian Bus Club: The French-speaking Club dedicated to the Cars Italians

Random links: