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 dynamic trio built a handful of models starting in 1955, mostly
higher end versions of Fiat offerings that often showcased new or
innovative technology (front wheel drive, fiberglass body elements,
etc), but in 1969 Bianchi was fully incorporated into the Fiat SpA
corporate monster (folks often forget that Fiat owns Ferrari, Maserati,
Lancia, Alfa Romeo...Chrysler). Henceforth, the Autobianchi name was used to
market versions of the Lancia product that was based on a compacted version of the Fiat 128. Confused? Don't be. Just checkout this rusty 1971 Autobianchi A112 Abarth offered for $2,000 in St. Augustine, FL via craigslist. 
The Abarth version of the A112 was released in 1971 and featured a 982 cc engine that was upgraded with a sport exhaust, twin-carb, and hot camshaft for a total output of 58 horsepower. It isn't as bad as it sounds because the little A112 only tips the scales at 1477 lbs. Handling is described as nervous or sketchy -- which are code words for awesome if you are an adrenaline junky.
I recommend restoring this thing in-situ. If you try to move it, it probably will vanish. Rust is like an iceberg: what you can see is only about 10% of what is there. Seeing this thing sitting in obviously lush grass/weeds tells me things I really don't want to know.
ReplyDeleteAs they used to say: the British invented rust, then they licensed the process to the Italians. The Japanese copied it and perfected it.
Oh so cute! Did I say that out loud!?!
ReplyDeleteGood thing Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth is in St. Augustine. This thing is in need of it bad.
Didn't Harrison Ford star in a movie about locating a repository of lost Autobianchi sheetmetal?
ReplyDeleteI think it was Nicolas Cage?
DeleteWell at least its scaring the rust off that blue car next to it in the last pic.
ReplyDelete@Brian P--LOL more likely it's being kept as a sacrificial anode for all the adjacent cars in the yard.
ReplyDeleteAs an Alfa owner of many years, I can authoritatively say that rust is like pancreatic cancer - by the time you can see it clearly on the outside of your abdomen, well, you have trouble.
ReplyDeleteRare != valuable
ReplyDeletePirelli and Metzeler tires are made by the same company. It just depends if you prefer German or Italian performance. They both use a wonderful manufacturing process that allows the tire to remain stationary from beginning to end of process which means the tire is less likely to be imperfect. important when your on two wheels, has nothing to do with the crusty little Italian oddball but figured I would tell everyone something they may not know
ReplyDelete