In the 1920s, Edvardo Bianchi was third behind only Fiat and Lancia in Italian car production. In 1955, following a business alliance with Fiat and Pirelli, the company name was changed to Autobianchi.

The first vehicle produced under this new venture was the Bianchina. Bursting with an abundance of sporting character, the Bianchina offered sturdy Fiat 500 mechanicals and a luxurious level of trim for the era. The understated yet captivating Bianchina was further enhanced by a series of upgrades, including a lowered suspension, which contributed to the sportier ride. The Bianchina was quite a capable performer, with a top speed of 60 mph and an estimated range of nearly 300 miles. Fuel economy reportedly approached an impressive 50 mpg. With its limited-production cachet, the Bianchina was quickly regarded by enthusiasts as "the rich man’s Fiat".

The first body style to roll off the assembly line was the Transformabile, or semi-convertible. Ultimately, only 10,000 of these open-top examples were produced.

The beautiful Bianchina Transformabile offered here was first delivered to Udine, Italy, and is accompanied by its original registration documents. The car has, in recent years, been subjected to a bare-metal restoration. The two-tone paint scheme suits this car perfectly, and the owner, a keen collector of fine motor cars himself, was very keen to restore the car to its original condition in every way possible. Much attention to detail was paid to sourcing correct decals for under the bonnet, and even the tool kit and jack have been nicely restored. Today, this delightful Bianchina, charmingly nicknamed ‘Ravioli’ by the present owner’s grandchildren, is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. It would make for a delightfully fun ride to local Riviera beaches, where finding parking would be a breeze.