Article posted: 11/12/2012 5:00 AM

Italian micro gets more ‘smiles per gallon’

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1961 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformable

Photos Courtesy of Prestige MotorCar Photography

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Burt Richmond of Chicago has restored and owned many European vehicles, including Fiats, Morgans and several Porsche 356s.

The 1961 Bianchina is long on looks and fuel mileage.

The Transformable version of the Bianchina is a convertible, with a canvas roof that pulls back.

The new factory rebuilt Fiat engine was purchased from a supplier in Italy.

A new interior replaces incorrect carpet and seats previously in the car.

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Burt Richmond confesses his 1961 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformable, despite its pint-size dimensions, is tremendously huge on fun. "My wife and I experience more smiles per mile' than most other cars we see," the Chicago resident said.