Autobianchi Primula

Autobianchi Primula
Autobianchi Primula 65C 3-door hatchback
Overview
ManufacturerAutobianchi
Production1964–1970
DesignerDante Giacosa (Berlina)
Touring (Coupé)
Body and chassis
ClassSupermini
Body style
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive
RelatedAutobianchi A111
Powertrain
Engine
  • 1,221 cc OHV I4 (Berlina and Coupé)
  • 1,197 cc OHV I4 (Berlina 65C)
  • 1,438 cc OHV I4 (Coupé S)
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,300 mm (91 in)[1]
Length3,785 mm (149.0 in) (Berlina)
3,715 mm (146.3 in) (Coupé)[1]
Width1,578 mm (62.1 in)[1]
Height1,400 mm (55 in) (Berlina)
1,350 mm (53 in) (Coupé)[1]
Chronology
SuccessorAutobianchi A111
Autobianchi A112

The Autobianchi Primula is a supermini economy car manufactured between 1964 and 1970 by the Italian automaker Autobianchi, partly owned by and later a subsidiary of the Fiat Group. The Primula was a prototype for Fiat's rack and pinion steering and is widely known for its innovative Dante Giacosa-designed front-wheel drive, transverse engine layout — that would be later popularized by the Fiat 128 to ultimately become an industry-standard front drive layout.[2]

The Primula was originally available with two or four doors, with or without a rear hatchback, referred to in Italian as "berlina". Beginning in 1965, Autobianchi offered a coupé model, a more spacious 2-door fastback designed by Carrozzeria Touring.[2][3]

The Primula was manufactured in the Autobianchi factory in Desio,[4] with production reaching approximately 75,000 before ending in 1970.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d Auto-Modelle: Katalog—Motor-Presse-Jahres. Vereinigte Motor-Verlage Stuttgart. 1970. pp. 24–27. ISSN 0463-6589.
  2. ^ a b c "The Autobianchi information site". carsfromitaly.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2005. Retrieved 3 August 2006. (accessed via the Wayback Machine)
  3. ^ "Autobianchi Primula". Classic hatchbacks - 4Car Feature - from Channel 4. Archived from the original on September 9, 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2006.
  4. ^ "Storia". autobianchi.org (in Italian). Registro Autobianchi. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2006.