For Sale at Auction: 1972 Fiat 500 in Amelia Island, Florida

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.