1959 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile

In 1955, at the behest of Milanese industrialist Ferruccio Quintavalle, a new venture was formed among Fiat, Pirelli, and prewar automaker Bianchi to move the venerable Ciquicento upmarket. They named the company Autobianchi, and its most significant early model was the Bianchina. The model featured coachwork designed by Fiat’s Luigi Rapi that was available as a roll-top landaulette known as the Trasformabile. Utilizing Fiat 500 mechanicals, the elegant Bianchina offered a coachbuilt interpretation of the microcar, as this striking Series II example attests. This Trasformabile is believed to have been built originally for the US market, and it benefits from 22 years of care by two California residents. As demonstrated by a substantial file of documentation, the consignor purchased the car in 2009 and embarked on a three-year restoration that totaled nearly $64,000 in receipts, stressing factory-correct authenticity. Among other measures, the consignor had the clutch, transaxle, brakes, and suspension rebuilt, and he refreshed the electrical system with a new wiring harness. Displacement was upgraded with an enlarged 650 cc Fiat engine, which was assembled with new valve springs, guides, and cylinder liners. An Abarth finned oil pan completed the driveline profile, while the brightwork was meticulously polished and complemented by correct components like a proper front-end badge and European-style taillamps.

Benefiting from a bare-metal two-tone paint refinish and a new leatherette interior with matching soft top, this Trasformabile has been lovingly restored by the consignor, and is ideally suited for display or enjoyment on the open road.