And its been another long while since a post so I thought I would catch up on the latest. I have installed a new radio in the space that was mangled by a previous owner trying to fit a three hole radio in it. I had no choice but to install a DIN radio so you purists out there are going to cringe at the sight. But, it is still my car and I am fine with it. I have also purchased a new top for it which finally arrived after the second shipping. Seems Fed-Ex delivered it to the wrong house but didn't know where and was too busy to find it. They told the shipper to just file a claim which I assume they did. Great business practice, right? I will never willingly use Fed-Ex for anything. Anyway, pictures below.

 I have also finally located the correct gaskets for the taillight housing to body and the housing to lens that I am installing. I will post text and pictures. I will then put the car on Bring A Trailer and offer it for sale. Thanks for following this long journey.

Well, it has been a long while since I have posted anything so I thought I would just throw this up here. I had the windshield replaced today and rolled the little car out into the sunshine to dust her off.

I have regrettably decided to sell my cherished 1960 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile micro car. It is the scarce American version and is 90-95% completely restored needing only a battery, top, windshield, radio, chrome refinishing and all fluids. It was a running car when I drove it into the shop but hasn't been started since. The engine has been refreshed and regasketed, all new filters, hoses, paint etc. The carburetor has been rebuilt. The floors have been replaced with the correct replacements and all body work has been done with real metal, not inches of body filler. The upholstery is true to the original pattern but in custom colors and fabrics. New foam cushions and new rubber springs were used. The instrument pane lights have been replaced with LED bulbs and tested for correct operation. There was a complete new wiring harness installed and modified to include the fuel sending unit(new) and tested along with a new headlight/turn signal switch and several of the dash switches. It has five new tires and inner tubes with Porto-Wall whitewalls, all new brake system, and an optional center console. The car has been fitted with molded black carpet. It has the very rare white rubber inserts on the front bumperettes and the equally rare chrome bullnose strip on the hood. The folding top mechanism has been powder coated with prismatic chrome silver and fitted with the correct rubber end pieces. The steering box has been rebuilt using all new parts as well as the front and rear suspensions. The fuel tank has been professionally re-furbished and is guaranteed for life, paper work included. There is a correct jack, lug wrench and tool kit in the front storage trunk as well as the spare tire. A very complete and comprehensive account of the restoration detailing everything that has been done to the car can be found at corvairtherapy.blogspot.com It is many, many pages long but should answer any questions there may be. If not I will answer any and all queries and can supply more photos if desired.I will also include shop manuals, parts manuals, owners manuals, a couple of enlarged wiring diagrams mounted on foam board-one in color and many spare parts I have. When sold, this car will need to be trailered, preferably enclosed. It is located in Newark, Delaware, USA. I can also answer any questions by phone at one three 02 seven three 73five7seven Thanks for looking

It's been a while but I have been working and saving money for the chrome plating. I was fortunate enough to source an NOS drivers side door handle complete with keys for $60.00-a no-brainer. Snapped it right up, wished they had the passenger side too but no.

Today wasn't a very big day. I installed the seat belts that just came in todays' mail. It must have taken at least 10-15 minutes but hey!, every little bit helps, right?

Here is the end result. Now to start saving up a fortune for chrome plating.

The final step in the upholstery of the car began yesterday. You can see the burlap underlay and the rubber back support in this picture.

This is the bottom after adding the foam cushion and the upholstery.

The seat was put up on a work stand and the new foam pad was installed.

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And here is the completed seat installed in the car.

Now on to the other seat.

After allowing the glue to dry overnight, I installed them in the sail panel area of the roof.

And here is a close up of the larger part.

Although it is hard to see in the picture, it goes all the way up to the windshield.

After making a paper pattern, I transferred it to heavy card stock (non corrugated cardboard), cut it out and tested for fit.

After slightly altering the shape, it was padded with some left over headliner material and covered with light weight vinyl.

I finished up the back for the package shelf and installed it. I'm pretty happy with the result. Now on to the bucket seats.

I had a pretty productive day today. First thing was to turn the car around again so I could install the passenger door panel. After fixing a couple small problems the panel went on like a charm.

I decided I couldn't stand the crud on the carpet anymore so I got out the vacuum and gave it a good cleaning. That made the rest of the car look bad so I waxed it.

Next I upholstered the rear seat bottom and installed it in the car. 

Tomorrow I hope to get the back done and installed. That brown is the beginning of the paper pattern that I will use to make the hardboard base which will become the pattern to cut the foam.

The last few days have been busy. I installed the parking brake boot and fitted the console over it.

I then upholstered the rear side panels, installed the speakers, ran the wires under the carpet and into the luggage compartment through an existing hole. I did add a rubber grommet to protect the wires from chafing.

Next I covered the wheel well humps that I previously made and installed them.

Then it was on to bigger and better(read harder) things. I upholstered and installed all the pieces of the door panels. The escutcheons around the door handle holes were cleaned and I powder coated them in almost chrome silver then clear powder coat. I think they turned out pretty nice if I do say so myself.

I made the pattern for the back of the rear seat and put it aside until the bottom is upholstered and in place. I also received and cut the new foam for the rear seat.

Getting real close to stretching some fabric on it.

The foam was glued onto the panels and allowed to dry overnight. They were then trimmed and placed in their approximate positions to check fit.

Sound deadening material was added to the rear  firewall and under seat area preparatory to fabricating the rear seat (package shelf).

Next I made a paper pattern to get the correct fit for the seat.

When I was satisfied with the fit, I transferred the pattern to Masonite and cut it out, sanded the edges smooth and test-fitted it to the seat area. I will have to bend the seat slightly and spring it in place due to the corners in front of the wheel wells are slightly wider than the front of the seat.

Should help hold it in place.

This week is the beginning of the upholstery odyssey. I started with the small rear side panels where I plan to install the speakers for the radio. The process I am using is first a paper pattern. I then transfer that to board stock and check the fit. If I am satisfied I will make the panels out of hardboard (Masonite).

This is the paper pattern.

The cardboard for fitting purposes.

The Masonite with speaker and mounting clips.

And the foam padding glued on, they will be covered later on.

I then disassembled the original door panels to use as patterns. These were cut out, drilled for mounting clips and all necessary holes were cut in. The frame reinforcements were glued and stapled in and the door sanded The bottom toe kick panels were cut and sanded.

The center backing panels were cut to size, slots cut in for the mounting clips at the top, I fabricated the missing clips (2) and installed them.

One is facing correctly and one is backwards to show the clips. They slide into a very thin slot under the window to hold the top of the panel in place.

Over the last two days I have been fabricating some fiber glass covers to go over the wheel well humps in the back of the interior. I laid up four layers of glass and resin and allowed them to cure, then trimmed them up as you see here.

I then glued urethane foam on them to prepare for upholstering them.

Over all I am pleased with the results. I will attach them with Velcro when they are covered.

I received a call from my powder coater that my parts were done so I beat feet down to get them. The first picture is the bare seat frame In gloss black with the new rubber webbing and seat blocks installed.

                                                                                                    

Next is the new foam seat buns temporarily installed on the frames.

And finally, the convertible top frame in chrome silver installed with new rubber end blocks, new pivot bolts in stainless steel and new rivets in the latches.

 Making progress but covered her up while making some more parts money.

Okay, after several hours (and several breaks) the hand sewn leather steering wheel cover is done. This job involved cutting down the width of the leather band due to the little skinny diameter of the wheel rim, regluing the hemmed edge and punching new holes for the lacing thread. Makes for sore fingertips but, DONE!

I finally found a supplier of the correct size defroster hose so I also installed all four pieces needed. I only took pictures of the under dash hoses so use your imagination for the other two under the hood.

After hearing from Germany that they finally agree the handles are wrong for a left hand drive car, I re installed the handles, installed all the weatherstripping, the window trims with the fuzzies and all four end caps. I also started the installation of a hand sewn-on steering wheel cover. More on that later.

Well, I finally received the package from Germany this morning and guess what! I got right hand drive door handles even after questioning them before I placed the order. I guess I am just going to have to bite the bullet and use them. I'm not sure if or when I will ever have to lock the car, it will just be inconvenient to have to get out ,walk around, reach through to lock the drivers door, and then shut the passenger door and lock it with a key. Rats!