ABOUT
In 2007, as a teen, I poured my savings into buying a sorry state of a classic car, falling in love with the gorgeous shape, understated size, and fun soft top, unaware of just how special and rare she was.
Over the next six years, she was transformed back to her former glory, with fresh paintwork, new upholstery, and re-shined chrome pieces. The Little Cabriolet is back to being adored and admired by many.
Who is she?
1960 Autobianchi Bianchina Special Cabriolet, the Italian love child of Fiat, Bianchi, and Pirelli.
What makes The Little Cabriolet so special?
One of only six right-hand drive models, specially commissioned for a marketing campaign in 1960. Now one of the three remaining in known existence.
Autobianchi Bianchina Special Cabriolet in the movies -
The same adored model is driven by Audrey Hepburn in "How to Steal a Million"" (1966), the getaway car in"The Pink Panther" (1963), and more recently, the inspiration for the animated car of Lucy Wilde in "Despicable Me 2' (2013).
The History of the Autobianchi Bianchina Special Cabriolet -
The Bianchina was marketed as a fun second car or a luxurious recreational vehicle. It appealed strongly to the affluent middle class and reflected the increasing prosperity of Italy’s post-war society.
In 1958, the Bianchina received a new engine and a wide range of body styles. Fiat’s 25-horsepower, 499-cubic-centimeter "500 Sport" engine became available in 1959 and increased top speed to a brisk 65 mph.
The 1960 Geneva Motor Show saw the debut of what was arguably the prettiest of the company’s models, the Bianchina Special Cabriolet. It was a little luxury car with a luxury price, and it was immediately accepted by the fashionable jet-setters as a second car or runabout.
The shiny details -
Right-hand drive, white-over-black, black leather folding front seats, bench back seats, chrome throughout, black fabric soft-top with rear window, luggage rack over the boot, and the original Autobianchi badge.