Highlights 

• An immaculately presented and professionally converted Fiat 500 Jolly recreation
• Based on a 1970 110F and presented as a faithful recreation of the iconic “spiaggina” (little beach)
• Complete with the original 1970 registration paperwork and partial Revisioni history 
  
  

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• The Jolly started life in 1970 as a Fiat 500 110F in LHD, home market specification
• Clearly considered a well-preserved example the car was subsequently converted to an original Jolly specification 
• This entailed strengthening the chassis, removing doors and roof and cutting down the windscreen
• Full restoration work was undertaken in 2021, as per the pictured signature of the artisans responsible
• The car is accompanied by the fascinating original registration paperwork
• The “Ministero Del Transporti” booklet form 1970 details the original provenance of the car
• It also has a partial Revisioni history – Italy’s MOT equivalent
• The car is understood to hold a current Revisioni certificate valid until 2023
  
  

The Interior

• The interior is an excellent and faithful recreation of Ghia’s original Jolly concept
• The seats weaved in wicker over tubular metal frames giving the interior a unique yet practical ambiance
• This execution is designed to prevent the seats becoming hot under the sun whilst remaining impervious to the elements
• The carpets are a hard-wearing “berber” style in flecked beige and are attractively cable-bound to the edges
• The centre transmission tunnel and rear shelf are finished in an attractive, padded and diamond stitched vinyl
• Apertures in the vinyl are finished with cable-binding to match the carpet edges
• The dash is familiar Fiat 500 fare in body-coloured metal 
• A large speedometer sits behind the white steering wheel and a number of toggle switches present
  
  

The Jolly’s interior is a delight and contributes greatly to the small car’s charm and individuality. The wicker seats are very evocative of quality garden or beach furniture, helping to give the car its unmistakable “beach holiday” vibe.

The Exterior

• The Jolly’s exterior is finished in pristine cream paintwork
• The paintwork appears to be beautifully applied, giving a deep and lustrous shine
• The door apertures and rear shelf are edged with chunky, chrome grab rails
• The bumpers are formed from the same chrome tubing
• A useful and charming wood and chrome luggage rack adorns the engine cover
• The windscreen is a cut down item, with an attractive frameless finish
• The diminutive steel wheels are colour-matched with the paintwork
• The wheels are fitted with chrome hubcaps and shod with white wall tyres

“Jolly” is surely a very appropriate name for this charming little car. It’s a delight to behold in every respect and is a guaranteed head turner and conversation starter.

It's in a really pristine condition too, benefitting from a highly professional restoration and from being always garaged in its current ownership.

The Mechanics

• Being a 1970 car, the Jolly is fitted with the larger 499cc, two-cylinder engine
• The characterful little engine is rated at somewhere between 17 and 20 bhp
• Given the Jolly’s light weight and appropriate gearing, this makes for decent drivability
• Power is delivered via a four-speed manual gearbox
• All mechanical systems are understood to have been refurbished during the restoration
• As a result, the mechanical condition of the Jolly is reported as “excellent throughout”
  
  

With the signature twin-cylinder 500cc engine in the rear, this is definitely a car for boulevard cruising rather than attacking a B-road. Of course, to criticise it for a lack of power would be to miss the point of the Jolly completely. This is a car overflowing with character, individuality and charm. The tuneful little engine is an integral part of that magic recipe.

Summary