The BIANCHINA was made from 1957 to 1969 by the Italian manufacturer AUTOBIANCHI in a 140,000 square meter factory located in Desio near Milan . Autobianchi was founded by the companies FIAT, Pirelli and Bianchi in order to further strengthen the grip on the market that was then starting to expand while Italians were getting more motorized after the war. The BIANCHINA was a sort of deluxe version of the popular FIAT 500 (called Nuova 500 to distinguish this model from the earlier FIAT 500 "TOPOLINO"). It shared the same engine and mechanics of the FIAT 500 but with a more refined body and interior. Once again the Bianchina lines show the great Italian flare for car body (and also other objects) design. Its pleasing shape and lines make it a real jewel of a car. Contrary to other mini-cars, the FIAT 500 (and the Bianchina) are real and proper cars that can be used daily as a form of economical and stylish way of transport even by todays standards. With its elegant design, air cooled engine, economy of use and maintenance this typical Italian icon must definately be one of the greatest cars ever built since the beginning of motorization. The FIAT 500, together with the FIAT 600, the Vespa and the Lambretta, is historically regarded as being the form of transport that motorized the Italians.