Autobianchi Primula, A111 and A112: books - history

Dalle auto Bianchi alle Autobianchi

A technician and historian in the motorsport sector, Sandro Colombo tells the story of the Autobianchi with a comprehensive description and a wealth of images (in black and white), some of which have never been seen before.

Text in Italian.

Autobianchi Bianchina - Le vetture che hanno fatto la storia

This book covers the history of the Bianchina from its origins to today. The first part is devoted to the birth of the Autobianchi factory and the developments that led to the production of the 110 B model in 1957.
The technical characteristics, differences between the various series, the chassis and engine numbers, the colours and upholstery of all of them (transformable, cabriolet, saloon, panoramic, van and estate car) are described year by year. Illustrative material and original brochures of the period are called on to bring to life the various aesthetic and mechanical details.

The second part is entirely devoted to restoration, spotlighting the various stages of reconditioning with invaluable advice and descriptive photographs of individual details, from the carcass to the finished vehicle. The third part offers collection aspects and customs linked to the model with archive pictures of the principal events, the special versions, accessories, publicity exploitation and the clubs devoted to the car from Desio which still attracts thousands of enthusiasts even today.

Italian text.

Autobianchi Primula e A 111 - Le vetture che hanno fatto la storia

Finally following up on a project he had had in mind from the time of the Topolino, in the autumn of 1964 engineer Dante Giacosa was able to launch the first front wheel drive Fiat. In reality it wasn't a Fiat at all but an Autobianchi, the satellite marque based at Desio. As well as for its "all up front", the Primula also stood out due to another courageous and unusual decision: the 3-door body with a hatchback.
Unveiled to a rather cool reception from the marketplace, in part for its not exactly competitive price, the Primula declined into a series of almost infinite bodies: 2, 4 and 5 door and a coupé. In the mechanical area, the old engine was derived from the 1100, but that was replaced by a new power unit from the Fiat 124.

A year later, the car joined the A111 and then replaced it, with the mechanics of the Primula and a much more conventional, three-volume body. It was a saloon more sought after than the Fiat models of the day, but it left the market in the autumn of 1972.
Unpublished colour pictures, detailed technical specifications and a section on restoration tell in this book of the genesis and evolution of these two unique Autobianchis, not expressly conceived and designed as utilities.

Text in Italian.

L'Autobianchi A112 de mon père

Filiale de Fiat créée en 1955, la marque Autobianchi se distingue par le raffinement de ses productions. Fleuron du géant turinois, elle lui sert bientôt de cobaye, éprouvant les solutions techniques les plus hardies, qui seront généralisées sur les modèles Fiat quelques années plus tard.
Novatrice par bien des aspects, l'audacieuse Primula est en effet le premier véhicule du groupe à adopter la traction avant et un moteur en position transversale. La jolie berline ne rencontre qu'un succès d'estime, mais elle va léguer son architecture d'avant-garde à une citadine de charme et de choc, la gracieuse A 112, présentée en 1969.
Maniable, nerveuse et rapide, la petite Autobianchi incarne à merveille l'élégance italienne. Mais le potentiel sportif de cette géniale puce des villes n'en est pas pour autant oublié. Le sorcier Carlo Abarth lui injecte une piqûre de venin de scorpion et la métamorphose en redoutable bolide, digne rival de la non moins emblématique Mini Cooper.
L'A 112 Abarth se taille alors un impressionnant palmarès en compétition et se forge une véritable légende. La voiture va connaître une carrière d'une longévité exceptionnelle. Le marché français lui réserve un excellent accueil, favorisé par le dynamisme de son importateur, le charismatique André Chardonnet, qui va la diffuser dans son réseau tout au long de sa commercialisation, une aventure qui va durer plus de dix-sept ans...

Cet ouvrage de référence nous informe sur l'historique et l'évolution de la fameuse Autobianchi A112. La technique et les variants de la A112 sont décrites d'une manière détaillée. Ce livre fait partie de la série "La voiture de mon père" et contient nombreux documents d'époque, 220 photos souvent inédites et les caractéristiques techniques des différents modèles.

Autobianchi A112 Abarth - Le vetture che hanno fatto la storia

Unlike the previous editions of the '90s, this book concentrates on the Abarth 58 and 70 HP versions of the Autobianchi A112, the rarest of all and the most sought after by collectors. This is an across the board analysis of the car: it contains a general historic introduction on Autobianchi, Carlo Abarth and the A112 itself. They were the cars that began the decline of Abarth in 1971, and the book contains an analysis of the entire evolution of the seven series that succeeded them in the following 14 years of production.

There is also a section devoted to documentation: the use and maintenance manuals, catalogues, leaflets, advertising and a segment giving advice on the Abarths' identification, purchase, restoration and quotations. The book is completed by the car's sports career in Italy and other countries, culminating in the eight Trofeo A112 Abarth 70HP events and closes with reference to today, including the vintage races and the various clubs devoted to this important car.

Italian text.