Bianchi 8HP

Edoardo Bianchi - founder of the famous Milanese bicycle company - starts producing a series of exclusive cars. They are among the first in the world to travel the streets of cities, which until then were only populated by carriages, wagons, pedestrians and a few horse-drawn or steam trams. These cars were built for wealthy clients. At the beginning of the 1900s, one would cost 10.000 lire, corresponding to ten years of a doctor’s salary. The price included two days of driving school for inexperienced drivers, a wrench, a roll of duct tape and an air pump. The elegant body was made of precious woods and aluminium, an innovative solution for the time. The most skilful Italian coachbuilders, cabinet-makers and carvers were employed to customize these small motorised coaches, respecting the taste of the owner. In 1959 Ferruccio Quintavalle – general director of the Bianchi company - donated this car to his friend Guido Ucelli, founder of the Museum. It is in fact one of the first Italian automobiles as well as a milestone of the famous Milanese brand.