1969 Autobianchi Bianchina LUTÈCE

Less common than a Fiat 500
Great fun
Nicely patinated original condition

Chassis N° 105665
French registration

Part-owned at the time by Fiat, in 1957 Autobianchi launched the Bianchina, a small canvas-topped two-seater coupé based on the floorpan and mechanicals of the Fiat 500. The range gradually expanded and in 1960 the ‘Berlina quattro posti' four-seater saloon was introduced. The Bianchina was aimed at an exclusively feminine high-society market, for ladies seeking a small easy-to-drive car that wasn't the car of ‘Mr Everyman'.. Imported from 1962 by André Chardonnet, the 3.02m (9ft 11in) for the French market the Autobianchi was called the Lutèce, a name which better reflected the car's charm as a town runabout.
The car shown here was used for nearly 15 years in Paris before being retired to the calmer roads of Corrèze in 2001. Its former owner, a member of the Automobile Club du Limousin, used the Autobianchi regularly before passing it to his local garage. The garage proprietor was too busy looking after the cars of his customers to give it the attention it deserved, and finally sold it to a retired bodyshop owner who put it back on the road. In nicely patinated original condition, the car is in sound order and above all great fun. The perfect alternative to a more common Fiat 500, it's just the ticket for pottering down to the market on a Saturday morning.