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Photo of a Autobianchi A112

Autobianchi A112

A Mini challenger with an Abarth sting: 70 hp from 1975.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 32 sources

Also called

  • Piccola ammiragliaAn early label for the A112, meaning 'little flagship' in Italian.2
  • Tetto tondoItalian for 'round roof,' used for earlier Abarths to distinguish them from the later cars with raised roofs.3
  • Tetto quadroMeaning 'square roof,' the popular name for fourth-series and later Abarths after the roof was raised 2 cm.3
  • Gold RingAlternative name for the 1979 Abarth Targa Oro: a run of 150 with black paint and gold decoration.4

At a glance

0100200
39.44–70 hpPower
01020
13.7–18.6 s0–100 km/h
0100200
130–160 km/hTop speed
0150300
63.7–87.3 N·mTorque
05001,000
655–700 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1681314

Engine
903 or 965 cc OHV I4; Abarth: 982 or 1,050 cc6
Layout
Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive612
Gearbox
4-speed manual; 5-speed on Elite/LX and later Abarth56
Built at
Desio factory, Italy26
Units built
1,254,178 across all versions6

The story

Created to rival the Mini, the three-door A112 paired front-wheel drive with independent suspension and a transverse rear leaf spring. Its 3,230 mm body and 2,038 mm wheelbase packaged hardware later used by the Fiat 127.567

1969: Turin debut, then waits over a year19691970: Runner-up with 96 points19701971: 982 cc Abarth joins the E19711975: 70 HP: 154 km/h in a period test19751977: Nuova A112: more headroom, 965 cc · Fiorio's Trofeo A112 begins19771979: Five speeds for Elite and Abarth19791982: LX luxury and Sweden's Saab Lancia A11219821986: 1,254,178 built as the Y10 takes over1986 Autobianchi Bianchina: 1957–1970Autobianchi A112 (first series): 1969–1973A112 (second series): 1973–1975A112 (fourth series): 1977–1979A112 (fifth series): 1979–1982A112 (sixth series): 1982–1984A112 (seventh series): 1984–1985A112 (eighth series): 1985–1986Autobianchi Y10 / Lancia Y10: 1985–1995 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones12618
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1957–1970Autobianchi Bianchina
1969–1973Autobianchi A112 (first series)
1973–1975A112 (second series)
1977–1979A112 (fourth series)
1979–1982A112 (fifth series)
1982–1984A112 (sixth series)
1984–1985A112 (seventh series)
1985–1986A112 (eighth series)
1985–1995Autobianchi Y10 / Lancia Y10
1969Turin debut, then waits over a year
1970Runner-up with 96 points
1971982 cc Abarth joins the E
197570 HP: 154 km/h in a period test
1977Nuova A112: more headroom, 965 cc
1977Fiorio's Trofeo A112 begins
1979Five speeds for Elite and Abarth
1982LX luxury and Sweden's Saab Lancia A112
19861,254,178 built as the Y10 takes over
  1. 1969

    Turin debut, then waits over a year

    A Mini rival arrives at Turin; some buyers wait over a year despite expanding assembly lines. The launch 903 cc averages 6.9 L/100 km.18

  2. 1970

    Runner-up with 96 points

    The A112 places second to the Fiat 128 in the 1970 Car of the Year vote, scoring 96 points.89

  3. 1971

    982 cc Abarth joins the E

    Carlo Abarth enlarges the engine to 982 cc for 58 hp; the new E adds a contrasting roof and richer equipment.16

  4. 1975

    70 HP: 154 km/h in a period test

    The Abarth grows to 1,050 cc. A period road test clocks 154 km/h at Montlhéry against the factory's 160 km/h claim.610

  5. 1977

    Nuova A112: more headroom, 965 cc

    The roof rises 2 cm; the Elegant grows to 965 cc. Abarth replaces the front brake servo with a differential-action master cylinder.368

  6. 1977

    Fiorio's Trofeo A112 begins

    Equally prepared Abarth 70 HPs contest a series that runs through 1984; champions include Attilio Bettega, Fabrizio Tabaton and Gianfranco Cunico.3611

  7. 1979

    Five speeds for Elite and Abarth

    The new Elite and fifth-series Abarth get five-speed gearboxes, while the Junior takes over from the Normale.156

  8. 1982

    LX luxury and Sweden's Saab Lancia A112

    LX brings power windows and velvet seats. Some exports wear Lancia A112 badges from late 1977; Saab sells it as Saab Lancia A112 in Sweden in the early 1980s.68

  9. 1986

    1,254,178 built as the Y10 takes over

    After the Y10 arrives in 1985, the Junior lives on as the Unificata. The A112 ends in 1986, with all production from Desio.2

Every generation

  • Autobianchi Bianchina
    Autobianchi Bianchina1957–1970
  • Autobianchi A112 (first series)
    Autobianchi A112 (first series)1969–1973
  • A112 (second series)
    A112 (second series)1973–1975
  • A112 (fourth series)
    A112 (fourth series)1977–1979
  • A112 (fifth series)
    A112 (fifth series)1979–1982
  • A112 (sixth series)
    A112 (sixth series)1982–1984
  • A112 (seventh series)
    A112 (seventh series)1984–1985
  • A112 (eighth series)
    A112 (eighth series)1985–1986
  • Autobianchi Y10 / Lancia Y10
    Autobianchi Y10 / Lancia Y101985–1995

Power over the years

From 41 hp to 70 hp in 6 years.

020406080 19681970197219741976197819801982 hp 1969 · 41 hp · Launch 903 cc1971 · 46 hp · 903 cc (revised claimed output)1971 · 58 hp · Abarth 982 cc1975 · 41 hp · Normale (July revision)1975 · 70 hp · Abarth 1,050 cc1976 · 44 hp · Elegant (emissions revision)1977 · 47 hp · Elegant 965 cc1982 · 39 hp · Junior 903 cc 70 hp Abarth 1,050 cc 41 hp Launch 903 cc
1613
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
196941Launch 903 cc
197146903 cc (revised claimed output)
197158Abarth 982 cc
197541Normale (July revision)
197570Abarth 1,050 cc
197644Elegant (emissions revision)
197747Elegant 965 cc
198239Junior 903 cc

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    A112 / Normale

    1969–1979

  • Junior (903 cc)

    Standard

    Junior (903 cc)

    1979–1985

  • Standard

    A112 Unificata

    1985–1986

  • E / Elegant

    Standard

    E / Elegant

    1971–1982

  • Elite

    Standard

    Elite

    1979–1985

  • Standard

    LX

    1982–1985

  • Abarth 70 HP

    Performance

    Abarth 70 HP

    1975–1985

    70 hp

  • Performance

    Abarth 58 HP

    1971–1976

    58 hp

  • Limited

    Abarth Targa Oro / Gold Ring

    1979

    150 built

  • Pininfarina Giovani

    Special

    Pininfarina Giovani

    1973

    58 hp

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Boxy three-door hatch, with a sloping hood, large windows and a blunt tail.612
  • Later cars have vents behind the rear side windows, in black plastic or body color.6
  • Slender chrome bumpers identify early cars; later versions wear larger black plastic trim.67
  • Some export cars wear Lancia A112 badges.6

Year by year

  1. March 1973

    A coarser grille and black rubber bumpers with chrome inserts mark the update; the Normale retains metal bumpers.68

  2. 1975

    Third-series cars have bigger rear-pillar vents and revised taillights; Elegant and Abarth gain integrated reversing lights.6

  3. November 1977

    A roof raised by 2 cm, stepped taillights and a new dashboard on richer trims mark the fourth series.568

  4. 1979

    Fifth-series cars gain black plastic wheel-arch trim and a large rear-light surround; side repeaters move back toward the doors.6

  5. Autumn 1982

    Smoother bumpers replace the heavy fifth-series trim; wheel-arch moldings disappear, rear-pillar vents turn body color, and the cabin is redone.6

  6. 1984–1986

    Elite, LX and Abarth gain a rear reflector strip and bumper-mounted plate in 1984; the 1985–1986 basic model keeps the Junior's design.26

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Autobianchi A112
    A112
    Photo of a Mini
    Mini

    Mini

    The A112 has a rear hatch; its contemporary Mini rival has a separate trunk.56

  • Abarth-style A112 conversion

    Grilles and badges can be retrofitted; verify a factory Abarth by serial number, engine type, equipment and history.1217

Against its rivals

  • Innocenti Mini Cooper MK3

    A112 vs Innocenti Mini Cooper MK3

    1971 list price lower is better

    A1121,325,000 ITL
    Innocenti Mini Cooper MK31,365,000 ITL
    3
  • Fiat 128 Coupé

    A112 vs Fiat 128 Coupé

    1971 list price lower is better

    A1121,325,000 ITL
    Fiat 128 Coupé1,300,000 ITL
    3

Prices

Value today $4.4K–$27.5K2425

Auction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K 202420262028 Value today: $4,400–$27,500 2024 · $21,000 · 1973 Abarth-style conversion, 70k km shown, BaT2024 · $17,508 · 1984 Abarth, Aguttes2025 · $4,635 · 1984 Junior, 82,000 km, Osenat2025 · $18,525 · 1979 Abarth race conversion, 59,382 km indicated, Trading Garage2025 · $20,192 · 1976 Abarth, WB & Sons2025 · $7,233 · 1983 Abarth, Collecting Cars2025 · $11,197 · 1982 Abarth, Collecting Cars2025 · $28,653 · 1984 Abarth, competition-prepared, Aguttes2026 · $19,500 · 1985 Abarth, 89,000 km shown, BaT2026 · $19,856 · 1985 Abarth, Bring A Trailer $28.7K Aguttes, 2025
17272829303132
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2024Auction sale$21,0001973 Abarth-style conversion, 70k km shown, BaT
2024Auction sale$17,5081984 Abarth, Aguttes
2025Auction sale$4,6351984 Junior, 82,000 km, Osenat
2025Auction sale$18,5251979 Abarth race conversion, 59,382 km indicated, Trading Garage
2025Auction sale$20,1921976 Abarth, WB & Sons
2025Auction sale$7,2331983 Abarth, Collecting Cars
2025Auction sale$11,1971982 Abarth, Collecting Cars
2025Auction sale$28,6531984 Abarth, competition-prepared, Aguttes
2026Auction sale$19,5001985 Abarth, 89,000 km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$19,8561985 Abarth, Bring A Trailer
2026Value today$4,400–$27,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Homologation 5340 came before the Abarth”
    • “Fiorio's rally-driver audition”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. Autobianchi A112 Abarth 58 HP heritagehubitaly.com
  2. Autobianchi A112: la piccola ammiraglia compie 40 anni - Autoblog autoblog.it
  3. Autobianchi A112 Abarth - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  4. Autobianchi A112 Abarth Targa Oro: la sua storia | Auto.it auto.it
  5. Autobianchi A112 | Online Classic World onlineclassicworld.com
  6. Autobianchi A112 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. AUTOBIANCHI A112 Abarth (1971-1985) - RETRO automobile-sportive.com
  8. Autobianchi A112 - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  9. Car of the Year 1970: The Nominees caroftheyear.org
  10. En 1975, l’Auto Journal testait : l’Autobianchi A112 Abarth 70 HP - L'Auto-Journal autojournal.fr
  11. TROFEO A112 – Sulle curve del mitico trofeo a112 trofeo112.it
  12. Autobianchi A112 : coup de cœur nostalgique ou vraie bonne affaire en collection ? autoplus.fr
  13. Autobianchi A112 Junior (01/82 - 12/84): Technische Daten, Bilder, Preise | ADAC adac.de
  14. Autobianchi A112 Abarth – Vehicules de Rallye Historique vehiculesderallyehistorique.com
  15. L’Autobianchi A112 Abarth compie 50 anni - Veloce veloce.it
  16. Lopresto - 1973 Autobianchi A112 Giovani Pininifarina lopresto.it
  17. Series I Abarth–Style 1973 Autobianchi A112 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,000 on September 23, 2024 (Lot #163,836) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  18. Autobianchi Bianchina - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Autobianchi Primula - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. FIA Historic Database historicdb.fia.com
  21. André Chardonnet fait son cinéma - Le Blog Auto leblogauto.com
  22. IGCD.net - Internet Game Cars Database igcd.net
  23. Autobianchi A112 Abarth '85 - Gran Turismo 7 granturismo-fr.com
  24. AUTOBIANCHI A 112: history and valuation | AutoBelle autobelle.it
  25. AUTOBIANCHI A112 ABARTH (58 CV): storia e quotazione | AutoBelle autobelle.it
  26. AUTOBIANCHI A112 ABARTH（1983年式） | UOMO webuomo.jp
  27. 1985 Autobianchi A112 Abarth for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,500 on March 29, 2026 (Lot #235,486) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. Autobianchi A112 For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  29. 1984 Autobianchi A112 Junior - Lot 51 osenat.com
  30. 1979 Autobianchi Abarth A112 | Trading Garage tradinggarage.com
  31. Autobianchi A112 Abarth – 1984 - Aguttes aguttes.com
  32. Autobianchi A 112 Abarth – 1984 - Aguttes aguttes.com
  • heritagehubitaly.com
  • autoblog.it
  • it.wikipedia.org
  • auto.it
  • onlineclassicworld.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • automobile-sportive.com
  • caroftheyear.org
  • autojournal.fr
  • trofeo112.it
  • autoplus.fr
  • adac.de
  • vehiculesderallyehistorique.com
  • veloce.it

Photo credits

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