1974 Fiat 500

jolly ghia Convertible

2 - Cyl.

Manual

110f2727xxx

Gasoline

Italy‘s location on the Mediterranean Sea resulted in innumerable beachfront cities and resorts and in the 1960s there was a brisk trade in beach buggy conversions of regular cars by the many specialist coachbuilders throughout Italy at the time. Without roof or doors, the cars are basic in the extreme. This simplicity, however, remains their most endearing feature, giving these cheeky runabouts a sense of fun and mischief comparable only with the later Mini Moke. One such specialist was Ghia which created the Jolly conversions on Fiat‘s 500, 600, Multipla and Giardiniera platforms. Known at home as La Spiaggina, a word difficult to translate but meaning something like ‘beachette‘, the Fiat beach buggy was marketed worldwide as the Jolly, meaning joker in Italian, but also meaning something light, fun, funny and pretty in several languages. Highly distinctive with its cut-down sides and windscreen, striped and fringed Surrey top, chromed pipe work and ‘frogeye‘ headlights mounted non-integrally on the body, the car was quite expensive ($1,760 compared to $998 for a standard 500) and was bought by the rich and famous - including Aristotle Onassis and Yul Brynner - as yacht tenders, golf carts and estate runabouts. As a result, most surviving examples have covered only limited mileage. Only very few survivors of the Jolly exist and this superb example has just now had a comprehensive restoration of its mechanics as well as the bodywork including a respray in its original colour of red (some of the pictures show the car pre-restoration). The list of the work carried out is very comprehensive and includes a professional engine rebuilt with oversized pistons, reground crankshaft and a new petrol pump, to name but a few. The complete electrical wiring has been renewed as well as the shock absorbers and the braking system. In short, ready to be enjoyed this summer, be it in Saint Tropez, Portofino or Nassau. Vehicle Description The Fiat 500 “Jolly” with it’s customized body, was a limited production model designed and constructed at the Ghia Coachworks Plant in Torino, Italy. The special purpose body was handcrafted from a cut-down Fiat 500 Nuova sedan. The Jolly model was intended for use primarily in resort areas as a courtesy car or “beachbuggy”. It’s open body and wicker seats provide plenty of fresh air for the outdoor crowd while accommodating wet bathing suits and easy entry or exit. The 500 Jolly can maintain an economical 50 plus miles per gallon while cruising at 65 mph! Only 10 feet in length, the Jolly has 12 inch wheels mounted on a 6 foot wheelbase and weighs just under 1000 pounds dry. Jollys used to be seen along the boulevards of the Riviera, in Florida and Southern California and in places like Catalina Island, the Bahamas and Hawaii. However, because of it’s small size, limited bumpers and lack of full weather protection, few examples have survived the ravages of time, traffic, tourists and adverse climatic conditions. A 600 model was produced, but the 500 model is the rarer of the two. This example up for bid is a very rare Fiat Jolly 500 in excellent to show condition with no rust. BODY The paint is in excellent condition. It’s a red 115 which I believe is the original color. Trunk lid and engine lid fit is excellent. Chrome is all in excellent condition. The floors are in excellent to show condition with no evidence of patches. The windshield is the rare original glass, not plexiglass. Hubcaps and wheels are new. INTERIOR Interior is in show condition with restored wicker seats and clean rubber mats. Dash is excellent. Gauges, switches and knobs are all excellent. Top is removable and is in good condition. ELECTRICALS Headlights and tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, wipers and horn work fine. Battery is good. The starter works great and generator charges fine. Both generator and voltage regulator have only 5 miles on them. Speedometer gauge is fully functional and all warning lights in the gauge function fine. SUSPENSION New original style Fiat shocks have been installed. Brakes work great and have been fully rebuilt within the last 5 miles. Emergency brake is adjusted and works great. Front idler arm bushings, tie rod ends, rear axle bearings and c.v. boots have been replaced within the last 5 miles. ENGINE and TRANSMISSION The two cylinder air cooled engine is fully rebuilt with a revised camshaft, valves, cylinder head and fueling. The transmission is in excellent condition and shifts fine. Neither the engine or transmission leaks oil. Both are in excellent to show condition. I can organize delivery in any part of the world (example to USA about 3000$) On Nov-26-10 at 22:46:49 PST, seller added the following information: Rarest of the rare for FIAT collectors, this 1974 500 Jolly has undergone a complete 'frame up' restoration and since completion in 2009 has only been test-driven. Completely restored to mint condition, it has been kept carefully garaged and protected, and comes with photographs of the restoration and associated receipts. This car has been reviewed and certified by the Registro FIAT Italiano and the Carrozzeria Ghia Club Italia and comes the associated metal plaques awarded to it. Both of these organisations inspected the car to make sure that the restoration conforms to the original European FIAT Jolly 500 specifications, even including the engine stickers! New items fitted during the course of restoration include the floor panels; rubber components throughout; Surrey top and frame; tyres and hubcaps; master and brake cylinders; 'FIAT' logo floor mats; windshield glass; wicker seats; wiring harness and lights; battery; front/rear suspension and hubs; custom wood gear shift; and Ghia side emblems, engine stickers and rear 'Jolly' decal. In addition, the engine has been completely rebuilt (including valves and pistons/rings), the body re-sprayed in the original pink livery, and all brightwork renewed or re-plated. An instruction manual, spare wheel, jack and pouch are included in the sale. There cannot be a 500 Jolly currently available that is better than this example, which we are advised drives, shifts and brakes wonderfully. I SEND COPY OF DOCUMENT ONLY AT BUYER BEFORE SEND ME MONEY