Autobianchi Primula
(1964 - 1970)
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Italy
Autobianchi Primula: All models
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The Autobianchi Primula was not the first front-wheel drive saloon, but the design by Fiat's chief designer Dante Giacosa is regarded as the technical blueprint for most front-wheel drive compact cars of the modern era. The Primula was particularly practical in the hatchback version, but offered no better use of space than competitor vehicles, as the magazine 'hobby' made clear in a test at the end of 1965. This article reproduces the original wording of the test report at the time and shows the car in many archive photos and in the sales literature of the time.
The Primula - sold in this country by Fiat and BMW dealers - was built by the Autobianchi company and was a saloon-combi hybrid in the best sense of the word. It had all the advantages of a "normal" car and offered almost as much storage space as a station wagon with just a few simple adjustments. This possibility, coupled with temperament and attractive equipment, made the Primula an ideal family car, as this historical test report explains.
In the mid-sixties, Fiat only offered rear-wheel drive. But BMC had shown with the Mini and its larger alternatives that front-wheel drive had considerable advantages. Instead of presenting a competitor to Fiat, Autobianchi was allowed to step into the breach in 1964. An innovative car was created, but remained below its potential on the market and is therefore very rare today. This report tells the story of the Autobianchi Primula and shows the car in historical and current images.
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