Autobianchi A112

The Autobianchi A112 was a low-size car, manufactured by the Italian manufacturer Autobianchi, subsidiary of FIAT, between 1970 and 1986.

First car of this dimension able to ensure the same quality of displacement of 4 people downtown as for a long way on highway, it replaced, in the range Autobianchi small the Bianchina, which of smaller gauge and was derived from FIAT 500.

History

Eager to replace old the Bianchina, derived from FIAT 500, but with more luxurious completions, the direction of the group FIAT, which always used the mark Autobianchi like laboratory in life size, saw pointing a future competitor in Austin Morris, more known under the name of Mini. Presented in 1969 to the Living room of Turin, it is the fruit of the genius of Dante Giacosa. This car was at the same time of reduced size but largely sufficient to transport 4 adults, perfect for the city and having a very nervous, ideal engine to at the time satisfy the desire speed of the young people. It represented a new concept of small car.

Autobianchi had not been mistaken. A112 largely contributed to make appreciate with its customers the concept of nervous small car with a forage ladder. It was the first car in the world to offer to the passengers 80% total volume of the vehicle and only 20% for the mechanical parts; one was far from the 60-40 of a 2CV Citroen! It made it possible group FIAT to counter the competition of the Minis in Europe and to keep the control of the small cars.

Various series

The produced series are officially with the number of Sept. Certains purists consider that there was one 8th series, which was produced during the phase of transition between A112 and its replacing Y10. Although it was in all points identical to the 7th Junior series, it was baptized Unifiée series.

First series

The first version of A112 was available only with one engine of 903 Cm3, origin FIAT, the same one which will remain in initial version until the disappearance of the model in 1986. It had:

traction before
gear box with 4 reports/ratios
suspensions with 4 independent wheels

In 1971 the range was widened with the versions E, finished better and Abarth.

The engine of 903 Cm3 45 cv also equipped FIAT 127 as from 1971.

Second series

The second series appeared in 1973 and related primarily to improvements of interior completion and saw the power its engine carried with 47 cv.

Third series

The third series, presented in 1974, saw the homologation of the car from 4 to 5 places and the reduction in output engine with 42cv to satisfy the first European standards on pollution.

Fourth series

Produced as from 1977, it presented change of body substantial as the grill and the rear lights, the shape of the house, angles square for more rigidity, and the modification of the right member to make return the new box at 5 speeds (what brought many brittlenesses to the structure). The metal bumpers were replaced by an armed synthetic material. The completion E was equipped with a new engine of 965 Cm3 48 cv.

Fifth series

In 1979 was presented the fifth series with the introduction of the version Junior, Elegant, Elite and Abarth. The Junior mounted the engine of 903 Cm3 and a sliding roof, the Elegant one and the Elite mounted the engine of 965 Cm3 to electronic ignition and the box at 5 speeds.

The esthetic modifications related to the secondary parts like the rear lights of squarer form inserted in a black unit being used as support of the number plate, the rear view mirrors were increased.

Sixth series

Presented in 1982, she saw the addition of completion LX on the same basis of the Elite version. She received the electric athermic panes and of the seats covered out of velvet with head-rest.

Seventh series

The seventh series appeared in 1984 was almost identical to the previous model except some esthetic differences: inserted in the back bumper, a broad reflective stringcourse (reflector) comprised the Autobianchi logo and the name of the version.

Eighth series (or unified series)

The eighth series was presented in 1985 and comprised only one version whose completion was identical to preceding the Junior version.

Very little time afterwards, Lancia-Autobianchi presented replacing it of A112, it also a revolutionary car, the Autobianchi Y10.

The versions A112 Abarth

The versions A112 Abarth are the cars most sought by the collectors because of their esthetic and technical characteristics. At the origin, been driven by an engine of 985 Cm3 58 cv, then arrived the engine of 1050 Cm3 70 cv derived from a model FIAT built at Brazil. The Minis Italian, thanks to its remarkable capacities, stability and handiness, were very quickly made a solid reputation in particular at the professionals of the sporting events.

Features

period of manufacture: 1969 - 1986
total production: 1.254.178 specimens

Versions

I series 1969 - 1973

normal - 903 Cm3, 44 CV.
E - luxurious completion - 903 Cm3, 44 CV - 1971-1973
Abarth - 982 Cm3, 58 CV. - 1971-1973

II series 1973 - 1974

Normal - 903 Cm3, 47 CV.
E - 903 Cm3, 47 CV.
Abarth - 982 Cm3, 58 CV.

III series 1974 - 1977

Normal - 903 Cm3, 47 CV, reduced to 42 in 1975.
E - 903 Cm3, 47 CV.
Abarth - 982 Cm3, 58 CV. available beginning of year 1976, or 1050 Cm3, 70CV.

IV series 1977 - 1979

normal - 903 Cm3, 42 CV
E - 965 Cm3, 48CV.
Abarth - 1050 Cm3, 70CV.

V series 1979 - 1982

Junior - 903 Cm3, 42 CV
Elegant - 965 Cm3, 48CV.
Elite - 965 Cm3, 48CV.
Abarth - 1050 Cm3, 70CV.

VI series 1982 - 1984

Junior - 903 Cm3, 42 CV
Elite - 965 Cm3, 48CV.
LX - 965 Cm3, 48CV.
Abarth - 1050 Cm3, 70CV.

VII series 1984 - 1985

Junior - 903 Cm3, 42CV.
Elite - 965 Cm3, 48CV.
LX - 965 Cm3, 48CV.
Abarth - 1050 Cm3, 70CV.

VIII series 1985 - 1986 (unified series)

single version A112 - 903 Cm3, 42CV.

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