|
|
AutobianchiAutobianchi was an Italian automobile manufacturer, created jointly by Bianchi, Pirelli and Fiat in 1955. Autobianchi produced only a handful of models during its lifetime, which were almost exclusively small cars, with the biggest being the short-lived Autobianchi A111, a small family car. Autobianchis were priced higher than Fiat models of similar size and the brand was used by Fiat to test new and innovative concepts which later found their way into mainstream Fiat vehicles; these concepts included fibreglass bodies and front-wheel drive.
The most famous Autobianchi models include the A112 released in 1969, a small hatchback very popular in Italy for racing, and which ceased production in 1986; as well as the Y10, which was the first car to use Fiat's new FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine). The Primula was the car with which Fiat introduced the particular front-wheel drive arrangement of engine, transmission and differential (final drive) that has become prevalent in its cars today. This car competed with the Innocenti-built Mini, which was the inspiration for the drivetrain layout.
Autobianchi was bought by the Fiat group and integrated into the operations of Lancia. The marque survived in Italy until the end of the Y10's production in 1995, but became extinct elsewhere when the model was rebranded as a Lancia in 1989.
Founded in 1885 by Edoardo Bianchi, this Milan factory, still well known for bicycles, commenced manufacture of motorcycles and cars in 1898.
They built many touring car models over the years. Some had ohv 8-litre in-line engines, but most were of 1460cc, 2690cc or 2890cc; there was also a popular ohv 1287cc four-cylinder. Bianchi cars were of sound, sturdy design.
Attempts to revive production with new designs after World War Two failed, partly as a result of the great demand for bicycles and motorcycles, partly because of the high costs of developing the new cars.
The firm Bianchi was already set up by Edoardo Bianchi in Milan in 1897. The company was specialized in very luxury cars, but it built some sport cars as well. For example the Bianchi Tipo Corsa was second and third in the Grand Prix of Brescia in 1923. In 1939, the latest pre-war cars by Bianchi were built and delivered. Then, after many years, the firm brought a new product on the market, now under the name Autobianchi. In the first years, the firm supplied Fiats of new bodies.
When this wasn't profitable anymore, the firm was sold to Fiat. Then it built special Fiats in small numbers, prototypes, but also cars for which there wasn't anymore room in the Fiat factories self. In 1964, Autobianchi built the Stellina, a sport car on the chassis of a Fiat 600 with a body designed by Tom Tjaarda. In 1965, the Bianchina followed, which was built on the chassis of a Fiat 500. In co-operation with Lancia, they developed the A112, which was built in great numbers, followed by a more luxury version of the Lancia Y. The A112 became a great success and was for sell as Lancia, Autobianchi or Abarth. This last version had a 70 hp engine with which the car could get to 160 km/h.
Several 'Carrozzeria', like Pininfarina and Bertone, had built specials on the chassis of an Autobianchi, which always got a lot of attention at international car shows.
The A112 continued for a remarkable 17 years, with frequent but rarely insubstantial changes. After over 1,250,000 of those small cars were built, they were finally replaced in 1986 by a new model, the Autobianchi Y10, based mechanically on the Fiat Panda. This car was branded as Lancia from the beginning for most export markets (except for France again, until 1989), thus becoming better known as the "Lancia Y10". It retained Autobianchi badging and branding in Italy alone. The Desio plant was finally closed in 1992 and with the Y10 being replaced by the Lancia Ypsilon (branded as Lancia in all markets including Italy), the Autobianchi brand disappeared altogether in 1996.
|
|
