Autobianchi Bianchina – Italian Style

Just before the ferry from Torri del Benaco across Lake Garda to Maderno departed, two pretty older convertibles rolled onto the deck. Later research revealed that these were a grey Nissan Figaro, a 1990s car with a retro look, and a red and white Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile, which was built from 1957 to 1969. Both vehicles were stylish eye-catchers, especially the Bianchina, which still looks to be in original condition. Based on the chassis of the legendary Fiat 500, designer Fabio Luigi Rapi conjured up an elegant, flowing, and sporty body.

The Bianchina is an exemplary representation of Italian automotive design style in the second half of the 20th century. This era was shaped by designers such as Bertone, Pininfarina, Giugiaro, Zagato, Vignale, and Scaglietti. They not only developed legendary body lines for sports cars and luxury vehicles – Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari – but also for everyday vehicles for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and the Volkswagen Group. The design for the first Golf (1974) was developed by Giugiaro in Italy.

With elegant classics like the Bianchina, you can, of course, enjoy a stylish drive around Lake Garda. In the warm wind, through Mediterranean landscapes, with cappuccino and good food, you can experience the typical Italian lifestyle of the 60s – often romanticised as “Dolce Vita” in many films. In the town of Padenghe sul Garda, in the south-east of Lake Garda, there is a car rental company that specialises in convertibles and roadsters from the 1950s onwards. You can find Alfa Romeo Spider and Giulietta, Fiat 500 and 1500, English roadsters, VW Beetles, and even the Porsche 356. Volkswagen T1 and T2 Bulli are also available if you want to travel as a retro camper.