"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
03/26/2014 at 12:38 • Filed to: Found on ebay, Daily Turismo
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"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
03/26/2014 at 12:38 • Filed to: Found on ebay, Daily Turismo | 2
| 2 |
The Autobianchi A112 was a supermini built by a joint venture between an automaker (Fiat), tire company (Pirelli) and bicycle maker (Bianchi). The all Italian trio built a handful of models starting in 1955, mostly higher end versions of Fiat offerings that often showcased new or innovative technology.
In 1969 Bianchi was fully incorporated into the Fiat SpA corporate monster (folks often forget that Fiat owns Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia, Alfa Romeo...Chrysler) and the Autobianchi name was used to market versions of the Lancia product in Italy, but retained the Lancia name elsewhere. Today's Autobianchi was born as the A122 Abarth version in Norway, hence the Lancia emblem, but has managed to find its way through Ellis Island and into the New World. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $17,000 buy-it-now on ebay with 9 days to go. Tip from Kaibeezy.
This is a 4th generation Lancia A112 but it was given the Abarth treatment from Fiat's motorsports division when new. The Abarth versions are reportedly twitchy cars for front-drivers and are known for being only seconds from the nearest telephone pole or ditch at any time. Sounds like fun.
The standard 48 horsepower 4-banger is ditched in favor of a 1.0 liter version putting out 70 horsepower, which may not seem like much until you consider the Lancia's 1500 lb curb weight. Roller skate or go-kart?
Inside the driver is surrounded by only the best Italian grade plastic from the 1970s and a hilarious looking shifter that connects you to 5 close ratio forward gears. It may look funny, but that shifter is your link to fun in this hot hatch.
Some rust bubbling through the paint above the rear tail light reminds you that this is an Italian car that has lived in Norway, UK and New Jersey. Please...someone in Arizona or the Sahara Desert...save the sheet metal... !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Image credits; ebay.com
Anon
> DailyTurismo
03/26/2014 at 13:58 |
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Wow I never knew Bianchi was involved in cars! Is the actual Bianchi company owed by fiat?
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DailyTurismo
> Anon
03/26/2014 at 14:04 |
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Not the Bicycle manufacturer portion, just the Autobianchi venture was folded into Fiat.
It is a cool little car, not sure if it's worth the asking price..but not many choices for a buyer.