Lot 179: 1959 Fiat 500 Jolly Beach Car

Produced for 18 years, FIAT's Nuova 500 would prove to be an outstanding success for the company with some 2.9 million built. Replacement for FIAT's much-loved 500 'Topolino', the Nuova 500 debuted in 1957. A radical departure from its predecessor's essentially pre-war design, FIAT's new baby featured unitary construction, an opening fabric roof and all-independent suspension, while carrying its engine at the rear. The 479cc power unit was an air-cooled overhead-valve twin and the gearbox a four-speeder. This compact, rear-engined saloon spawned numerous variants, from sporting and competition versions by Abarth to the ahead-of-its-time Giardiniera people carrier. Many of Italy's finest carrozzeria offered alternatives to the original, perhaps the best known of these being Ghia's stylish Jolly beach car, a novel concept which transformed the 500 from basic transport to conspicuous indicator of wealth. A 'beach buggy' before that genre was popularised by scores of Volkswagen-based specials, the Jolly found favour as courtesy transport for patrons of luxury hotels or for use ashore after one had docked one's yacht. Lacking doors and equipped with wickerwork seats, the Jolly was only practical as leisure transport, thus confirming its owner's status as someone who could afford a car 'just for fun'.

Supplied new in Italy, this FIAT 500 Jolly was acquired by the vendor, its second owner, in 2003. We are advised that the engine, coachwork and interior were totally restored in 2005, this work being carried out by Spontarelli in Rome. Finished in pink, a highly popular colour for Jollys, it features this model’s characteristic wicker seating. Offered without documents. The perfect car for yacht owners, St Tropez summer dandies or to add a romantic touch to your collection.

Vendue neuve en Italie, cette Fiat 500 Jolly a été achetée par le vendeur actuel, son deuxième propriétaire, en 2003. Nous savons que le moteur, la carrosserie et l'intérieur ont été totalement restaurés en 2005, ces travaux ayant été effectués par Spontarelli à Rome. Peinte en rose, teinte très souvent choisie pour les Jolly, elle possède les sièges en rotin caractéristiques de ce modèle. Voiture vendue sans papiers, à immatriculer en collection, elle sera idéale pour les propriétaires de yachts, les ‘dandy’ tropéziens ou tout simplement pour donner une touche romantique à votre collection !