Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile

Category:

Description

The Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile was a stylish and charming microcar produced between 1957 and 1960. Based on the Fiat 500 platform, it featured a unique semi-convertible body style with fixed roof rails and a folding fabric top, giving it a cheerful, open-air feel while maintaining a bit of structural rigidity.

Powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled two-cylinder engine—initially 479 cc, producing just 15 horsepower—the Bianchina Transformabile wasn’t built for speed, but its lightweight construction and compact size made it nimble and ideal for crowded European city streets. Later versions saw engine upgrades and slight styling changes, but the core formula remained the same: fun, affordable, and incredibly stylish.

The Transformabile stood out from the more utilitarian Fiat 500 thanks to its upscale details like two-tone paint, chrome accents, and a more refined interior. It was marketed as a fashionable city car, appealing especially to style-conscious buyers who wanted something a little more elegant than a basic economy vehicle.

Today, the Bianchina Transformabile is a beloved classic in the microcar world, celebrated for its retro charm and quirky good looks. It’s often remembered from appearances in Italian films and cartoons, notably as the car driven by Mr. Bean’s comically persistent rival.

Additional information

Manufacturer

Autobianchi

Country

Italy

Production Started

1957

Production Stopped

1958

Vehicle Type

Bodystyle

Semi convertible

Number of Doors

2

Number of Seats

2 + 2

Top Speed

56 mph (90 kph)

0-60 mph (0-100 kph)

Power

11 / 15 / 15 @ 4000 rpm

Torque

28 / 21 @ 2500 rpm

Engine Manufacturer

Fiat

Engine

Inline 2

Engine Location

Rear

Engine Displacement

479 cc (29.1 cu in)

Valvetrain

OHV

Valves per Cylinder

2

Bore / Stroke

66 x 70 mm (2.598 x 2.756 in)

Compression Ratio

6.6:1

Cooling System

Air

Charging System

Fuel Type

Petrol

Fuel System

Carburator, 1 x Weber

Aspiration

Normal

Fuel Capacity

Drive

Rear

Transmission

M4

Steering

Front Brakes

Rear Brakes

Front Suspension

Rear Suspension

Tyre Dimensions

Chassis

Weight

490 kg (1080 lb)

Length

2985 mm (117.5 in)

Width

1340 mm (52.8 in)

Height

1320 mm (52 in)

Wheelbase

1840 mm (72.4 in)