Highlights

Built to an exceedingly high standard by Jolly recreation professionals
Incredibly smart underneath, having barely been driven since completion
Impeccably presented and ready to be run in

The Appeal

Commissioned by legendary Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli who wanted a roadgoing tender for his yachts, the Jolly was built by Ghia using the humble Fiat 500 as its base. Original Jolly beach cars are exceedingly hard to come by, making well-made recreations like this, a very attractive proposition.

This Jolly has been recently completed and is presented in fabulous condition. Complete with all the Jolly’s original quirks like wicker seats, marine-style tubular handrails and a singular lack of doors, this is a great little beach car and in our eyes, the ultimate roadgoing seaside accessory.

The History and Paperwork

Revisione dated 18th November 2022
Italian registration documents present
Recently completed and yet to be run in
Ground up restoration, including a thorough overhaul of all mechanical parts where necessary

The Interior

Hand-woven wicker seats by local Italian artisan
Quilted tan hand-stitched leather upholstery
Vintage Autovox radio discreetly upgraded with modern internals

It’s not everyday you see a car with wicker seats…

The Fiat 500 Jolly is full of fun touches and the seats are the first thing you notice. Some readers will be familiar with the burning sensation vinyl seats can deliver on a summer’s day so, for a car designed for the Riviera, wicker actually starts to sound almost sensible. These reproduction seats are a good approximation of the originals and have barely been sat in. As a result, they’re in fantastic condition with no wear to be seen. There’s even a wicker grab handle for front passengers which is a nice detail.

As with most Fiat 500s, the dashboard is spartan with just a handful of switches. The vendor informs us that the vintage Autovox radio boasts modernised internals, which is a nice touch.

Hessian carpeting complements the wicker seats perfectly and exhibits no wear so far as we could see. A touch of luxury is afforded by quilted leather upholstery adorning the transmission tunnel and rear parcel shelf. This too is in great shape with no wear or damage.

The controls present impeccably and even the pedal rubbers look to be in perfect condition.

Having been freshly restored and converted into a Jolly replica, it comes as no surprise that this Fiat 500’s interior is in such magnificent condition.

The Exterior

Repainted in a pleasing shade of pale yellow
Featuring half-frame windscreen
Whitewall tyres

With fresh yellow paint, this little Fiat presents exceedingly well and what impresses us is that the high quality finish continues underneath. We couldn’t see any road grime, evidence of leaks from the engine or any corrosion whatsoever to the underside.

Besides having no roof, the next thing you notice about the Jolly is the lack of doors. You almost sit on this car rather than it, which makes for an entertaining driving experience. You’ll note that there are tubular handrails akin to a luxury yacht and we find the frameless windscreen top particularly elegant.

All the brightwork looks to be in excellent shape with no damage or pitting in sight. The vendor points out the period bonnet handle, steel bumper overriders and the provision that has been made to fit tow hook attachments.

The car sits upon factory correct Fiat steel wheels, complete with hub caps and whitewall tyres.

The Mechanics

650cc twin-cylinder air-cooled engine
Four-speed synchronised gearbox
The rebuilt engine still needs to be run in but functions well

Under the rear hatch, the tiny 650cc engine looks to be in excellent shape and we’re informed that it still needs running in properly following a full rebuild of all the mechanicals.

It starts readily and settles down to a steady idle. There are no leaks apparent or indeed any smoke. With a fully synchronised gearbox, these cars are surprisingly easy to drive, meaning you can relax and enjoy what are likely to be pleasant surroundings.

Summary

Surely the ultimate vehicle for any Fiat fan, this Jolly recreation promises to be fantastic fun and we’re sure it will be cherished for years to come.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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