Not many of these cars were ever introduced here in the U.S. and fewer would remain today. It is relatively uncommon to see one outside of a Microcar collection. But here is a nice one from Brisbane, California that is being offered for sale.
It is a 1960 Fiat Autobianchi Bianchina, a Trasformabile Series 2 Speciale with a 499 cc engine producing 21 hp. The car was based on the classic Fiat 500. Very rare, only 200 were sent to the U.S. The seller says it has completed a 5-year restoration including work to the top, body, paint and upholstery. Showing beautifully inside and out, and with fuel economy in the 50+ miles per gallon range and top speed over over 55 mph, this unique Microcar is a classic worth looking into.
Be sure to see the Cars On Line Classic Microcar Section for more unique European cars like this one.
Hollywood director George Lucas was only 18 years old when he was racing an Autobianchi. He says he was nearly killed. Three days before Lucas was to graduate from high school, he was gravely injured when his Fiat Bianchina was struck broadside by another car (a fellow student at Downey High School in Modesto California) and was sent rolling toward a walnut tree at sixty miles per hour. Luckily Lucas was thrown from the car which struck the tree with such impact that it moved it two feet roots and all.
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