This diminutive Fiat-derived classic promises around-town fun in the sun. Made by Autobianchi – a cooperative effort between Bianchi, Pirelli, and Fiat to test transportation concepts – the Bianchina was produced from 1955 through 1970 in wagon, convertible, sedan and trasformabile body styles. Today’s example is a trasformabile, with a top that folds down between fixed pillars. It is listed here on Hemmings, for $19,950. The car is at the selling dealer’s Elyira, Ohio lot. Charming as it is with that humorous moustache of a faux grill, we see the front bumper is bent and the lower valence isn’t straight. A few cosmetic faults aren’t a deal-killer, so let’s investigate further. We owe thanks to Driven By Faith Restorations for this tip!

The Bianchina was based on Fiat’s 500, but it was aimed at Italy’s luxury market. Luigi Rapi designed the body, giving the little car a chic roundness. The rear-mounted powerplant is Fiat’s 499 cc air-cooled two-cylinder, usually equipped with a Weber; this version is the “special” with a 8.6:1 compression ratio and 21 hp, versus the more pedestrian base model at 17 hp. A running video included in the listing shows off the engine to good effect – it purrs! A four-speed manual transaxle drives the rear wheels. The brakes are drums all around. Top speed hovered around 60 mph, and yes, it takes about a minute to get there! Aftermarket insulation detracts from the vintage look. This car’s underside appears to have fresh 3M undercoating here and there – the photos are blurry so I can’t be sure.

The interior is simple, but offers roll-down windows instead of the sliding panes seen on its competitors. The metal-framed seats are newly upholstered in vinyl; still, the driver’s side is heavily wrinkled and the seams along the top edge of the frame are uneven. Padding and support are minimal. The rear bench seat is almost roomy enough for a miniature poodle or a couple of parcels. The seller notes that the folding top is new, though it is stained around its plastic window. The speedometer runs to 70 mph. We noted hazing on the chrome trim and several paint chips. In the trunk, a mass of wiring hints at the need for a new wiring harness.

The engine lid fit is haphazard though the rest of the panels fit fairly well. Rust may be taking hold at the lower edge of the driver’s door, adding to the niggling issues all ’round this car. Meanwhile, current pricing in the market for Bianchinas reflects the dawn of rationality: from the ebullient post-pandemic early 2020s to now, demand has gone from strong to soft almost across the board, and underpowered vintage-mobiles have been hit doubly. In 2023, Gooding sold this Trasformible for $87,360, exceeding the high end of the estimate range. That was a mite lower than this restored ’60, which sold in 2022 for $89k. But suddenly, one can buy a driver-quality Bianchina for mid-teens or a restored copy for $30k. So if these tiny tots are on your bucket list, keep an eye out: prices are coming your way.