Vehicle Description
This 1959 Fiat 500 Jolly is an absolutely stunning, Ghia-designed
beach buggy that is ready to turn heads! The story behind what is
perhaps the most iconic classic Fiats, the Fiat Jolly, requires the
examination of the histories behind two of Europes most famous
automotive companies, Fiat and Ghia. With history dating back to
the late 19th Century, Fiat S.p.A. (then known as Societa Anonimo
Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino) was founded by Giovanni
Agnelli in 1899. By the 1920s and 30, Fiat garnered a reputation
for both its production passenger cars as well as some of its
racing cars, sporting a variety of Fiat-built engines ranging from
modest 4-cylinders all the way up to sporty supercharged
8-cylinders and beefy V-12s. Following the end of World War II that
largely stopped automobile production, and abruptly halting the
momentum of the world's growing automotive industry, Fiat emerged
as Italy's largest industrial firm. Around the same time, Fiat's
reputation became synonymous with small, economy-focused
automobiles, something that hasn't really changed for the last 80
years. Founded in Turin in 1916, Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio was
the brainchild of visionary founders Giacinto Ghia and Giovanni
Gariglio. Mr. Ghia started his professional career as an apprentice
coach builder when coach builders were building horse carriages. As
the motor age began to take hold, Ghia transitioned from an
apprentice, to a mechanic, and then to a test driver, where he
suffered a significant injury that led to Ghia and Gariglio
founding their firm. Initially Ghia was tapped to produce
lightweight aluminum bodies for Alfa Romeo's race cars. In 1921,
Ghia and Gariglio's company signed a contract to produce some
sportier bodies for another Italian firm, Fiat. During World War
II, Carrozzeria Ghia's facilities were destroyed and the company
was forced to rebuild after the War. It was during this time that
Giacinto Ghia unexpectedly fell ill, and passed away, many
attributing his illness and demise to the stress from the
destruction of his facility. After Ghia's death, the firm changed
hands a few times but by the 1950s the company had recovered and
reestablished itself as one of the most prominent automobile design
firms in Italy and across the world. Automobile manufacturers from
around the world, including Germany's Volkswagen, Sweden's Volvo,
and even America's Chrysler partnered with Carrozzeria Ghia to
design some of the most elegant automobiles ever produced. However,
Ghia's relationship with Italy-based Fiat remained in tact, and
while Ghia assisted with the design of some of Fiat's more
conventional automobiles, it also contributed to perhaps the most
novel, most unusual Fiat the Italian firm ever sold, the Fiat
Jolly. Reportedly, Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli commissioned the Ghia
built Fiat as a sporty and chic "beach buggy" that was small and
light enough to fit onto the stern of his yacht Agneta and could
ferry him and his guests to and from the beach. Known for their
wicker basket-weave seats, door-less fully open sides, and cute
fringed Surrey tops, the Jolly became a status symbol among the
World's elites, such as President Lyndon B. Johnson and Aristotle
Onassis. The bespoke Fiat Jolly is known for its very low
production, with estimates of less than 450 produced during its 3
year production run. Additionally, due to their use in and near
humid, saltwater environments, their survival rate was quite low
with some estimating only about 100 remain in existence today.
Powering this particular '59 Fiat Jolly is a rear-mounted
Air-Cooled 479cc Two-Cylinder engine fed by a single barrel Weber
carburetor that together were said to have created 21 horsepower
when new. The 479CC air cooled engine is mated to a 4 speed manual
transmission that sends power to the rear wheel and makes this
little Fiat a really fun car to take for a drive. A 12 volt
electrical system provides improved startup abilities and makes the
exterior lighting more reliable. Riding on a set of wide whitewall
tires accented with chrome wheel covers, this 1959 Fiat has a truly
upscale 50s look, whether you're cruising to the beach or parked at
the local car show. The front trunk is well-detailed as well,
housing the fuel tank and even a spare tire. This '59 Jolly is
topped with a Red and Eggshell striped Surrey top accented with
fringes around the border that gives this little yacht buggy the
feel and look of the ultimate beach car. The chrome trim and
brightwork around the exterior of this Fiat Jolly shows
particularly well and further elevates the car from nearly every
angle. A driver's side chrome mirror is also a welcome addition
since it makes an already easy car to park, even easier. The
Ghia-designed body on this Jolly is in wonderful condition as it
has been repainted in an eye-popping Coral Red paint that completes
the gorgeous exterior appearance of this adorable 50s microcar. The
interior of this 1959 Fiat 500 Jolly is absolutely incredible! The
front and rear wicker-wrapped seats are in fantastic condition and
are sure to fend off damage from any wet swimsuits or sand remnants
left behind from a beach excursion. The floor is covered with tan
carpeting along with Fiat-branded protective floor mats that not
only look great but also add to the beach buggy look. While a bit
scarce in terms of amentities, the red painted dash and red
steering wheel are in excellent condition on this bespoke
automobile. The dash is equipped with a 70 MPH speedometer with
integrated indicator lights for lights, dynamo operation, fuel, and
oil pressure, a chrome center-dash mounted rearview mirror, AM
radio, and wicker wrapped grab bar. Whether you're looking to have
the cutest car at your next beach excursion or you're adding to
your collection of high-end classic cars, this 1959 Fiat 500 Jolly
would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at
763-428-7337!
*Air-Cooled 479cc Two-Cylinder
*Single Barrel Weber Carburetor
*4 Speed Manual Transmission
*21 Horsepower
*12 Volt Electrical
*Wide Whitewall Tires
*Coral Red Body by Ghia
*Wicker Front and Rear Seating
*Red & Eggshell Fringed Surrey Top
*AM Radio
*70 MPH Speedometer
*Odometer Reads: 6,317 Miles
