Here in Pontremoli we have two lovely piazze in our centro storico: Piazza della Repubblica, commonly called Piazza del Comune because it houses the council offices, and Piazza del Duomo. Most of the time it’s difficult to appreciate the beauty of these piazze due to their unfortunate, and somewhat controversial use as car parks. Every mercoledì and sabato the ugly cars are evicted to make room for the local market, which is more attractive but still makes it difficult to enjoy these beautiful spaces without ‘clutter’.

Yesterday, however, was perhaps the first time that I’d appreciated the use of Piazza del Comune as a car park. The reason: Il Raduno Nazionale Bianchina Classic Club (The National Bianchina Classic Club Rally).  But what on earth is a Bianchina ?

Autobianchi was an Italian car manufacturer, created jointly by Bianchi, Pirelli and Fiat in 1955. Autobianchi produced only a handful of models during its lifetime, and they were almost exclusively small cars. These were priced higher than Fiat models of a similar size, and the brand was used by Fiat to test new and innovative concepts such as fibreglass bodies and front-wheel drive, which later found their way into mainstream Fiat vehicles.

The first car to be produced by the new company was the Bianchina, whose name was a tribute to Edoardo Bianchi, founder of the Bianchi company in 1885. Bianchi, who is now remembered primarily as a bicycle manufacturer (Bianchi still make bicycles to this day), was also active in passenger car manufacturer from 1899. Bianchis were in general high-end luxury cars, made with great attention to detail.

Above: The Bianchina was based on Fiat 500 mechanicals – with its two-cylinder, air cooled engine mounted in the rear – but featured a completely new stylish body designed by Luigi Rapi.

With its premium design and trendy equipment features, the Bianchina was basically an upmarket minicar, and more sophisticated than its better known counterpart, the Fiat 500. Marketed as a “second vehicle in the household”, and a luxurious “recreational vehicle”, it was targeted at well to do middle-class women, and mirrored the increasing affluence of post-war Italian society.

Above: Bianchina Panoramica

The first Bianchina came off the production lines in Desio on September 11, 1957 sporting an unusual body style know as “Trasformabile”. This was the standard Bianchina until 1960, when a two-door “Cabriolet” was introduced, followed by a three-door estate version, the “Panoramica” and a two-door saloon, the “Berlina”. Finally, two van versions were launched: one resembling a two-seater version of the Panoramica, and another, with a raised and expanded cargo section… very handy!

Eventually, facing a crisis in the market, Bianchi was forced to sell its share in Autobianchi and the company was integrated into Fiat SpA in 1968. The following year production of the Bianchina was finally stopped , and Autobianchi was absorbed within the Fiat Group under the control of the newly-acquired luxury marque Lancia.

Yes, for once Piazza della Repubblica actually looked beautiful with cars parked in it. Bring back the small stylish car … let’s bring an end to the tyranny of the bloated pretentious monsters that clutter our roads and piazze!