Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 110F 3043229
Engine No. 110F 000 2657938
Initially created under the direction of Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli,
the standard 500 was totally reimagined as the ideal vehicle to
cruise Mediterranean beach towns, yet small enough to be stored on
the stern of his yacht Agneta. Drawing a similar appeal from this
example, Carrozzeria Ghia built similar Fiat Jollys for a
star-studded list of owners, including Aristotle Onassis, Yul
Brynner, Princess Grace of Monaco, and even President Lyndon B.
Johnson.
Carrozzeria Ghia's original examples are rare and highly
sought-after, making it only natural that the legacy of the concept
lives on today with bespoke-built models just like the one on
offer. This particular example has undergone a complete restoration
and overhaul by the noted experts at Hampton Jollys of Greenwich,
Connecticut. Working with a husband-and-wife team in Italy, they
began with a standard Fiat 500, like the originals, and stripped it
to a bare shell. They then removed the side windows, roof, and rear
window before embarking on the bodywork conversion. Finally, the
car was refinished in an eye-catching, period-correct Sky-Blue
color, perfectly complemented by body-colored steel wheels with
white wall tires.
Once the bodywork was completed, attention was turned toward the
iconic interior. The floors are covered with "boat deck" floor mats
that are reminiscent of the teak and holly pattern found on
numerous yachts, with woven coco mats extending up the sides.
Additionally, the seats have been restored using traditional
hand-woven wicker, which perfectly complements the car's air and
fun-loving nature. Behind the rear seats is a storage basket
crafted from matching wicker. Finally, the Jolly is finished off
with a striped fabric roof in a matching Sky-Blue color with white
fringes, offering a perfect reprieve from the Mediterranean
sun.
Revered and respected for its simple, workmanlike mechanicals - a
two-cylinder 479 cc power plant mated to a four-speed manual
transmission-the Jolly has been greatly admired for its fun-loving
open-air body since the day it was conceived. This 1972 Fiat 500
Jolly continues this tradition and remains a smile-inducing
experience for all who see it.
