1959 Fiat Jolly 600 Sedan

Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli was the individual responsible for the Jolly. He wished for an open motorized transport to launch from his 82-foot ketch, the Agneta, during port stops along the Mediterranean coast. The four-cylinder Fiat 600 model was chosen and Agnelli soon arranged to have a car sent to Ghia for a re-body.

Agnelli requested the doors and roof be removed, and wicker seats be installed, along with a removable awning top. The finished car was called 'Jolly de Plague,' or Joker of the Beach. A small run of 600 series Jollys were ordered, and possibly not exceeding 200 examples. These were soon complemented by a brief run of Jollys built on the smaller 500 model.

A batch of 30 examples were reputedly once delivered to Southern California's Santa Catalina Island for rental purposes.

Chassis Number 438635
Little is known of the early life of this restored Jolly. By the late 2000s the car was in the care of a Malibu, California-based enthusiast. The owner commissioned a nut-and-bolt restoration. Around $65,000 was spent to refurbish the car. The car has completed just over 52 post-restoration miles.

Power is from a 633cc overhead valve four-cylinder engine single Downdraft carburetor offering 28 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2013