For Sale at Auction: 1965 Attica Cabrioletta in Carmel, California

Engine No. 3-2869

Few civilizations have left a greater imprint on the world than Greece. The birthplace of democracy, philosophy, theater, and the Olympic Games, its influence extends far beyond the shores of the Aegean. While the country never emerged as a major force in automobile manufacturing, it did produce a handful of charming and inventive microcars. Among the most intriguing was the Attica, built by Bioplastic S.A. under the direction of Georgios Dimitriadis.

Derived from the German Fuldamobil and adapted for Greek roads, the Attica was offered in several forms, including an exceedingly rare Cabrioletta. Conceived in the same carefree Mediterranean spirit as Italy's celebrated Fiat Jolly and France's Citroen Mehari, the open-air variant was intended for sunny coastal roads and leisurely seaside escapes. Produced in only extremely limited numbers, the Cabrioletta ranks among the rarest and most captivating survivors of Greece's brief but fascinating automotive industry.

Believed to be one of two ever produced, this rare Cabrioletta wears its fiberglass body in white. The subject of a photo-documented restoration in Athens between 2016 and 2017, it is trimmed in the national colors of Greece with a blue-and-white-striped fringed surrey top, which, according to the consignor, doubles as a beach umbrella! Power comes from a Heinkel 198-cc 10 horsepower engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission driving a twin rear-wheel layout.

According to the FIVA identity card on file, the car was used by Stavros Niarchos in Spetsopoula. It was then given as a gift to John Fuller, an American agent and decorated war hero who passed it on to his step-grandson, George Leonidas Karaiskakis. The occupants, no doubt with beach bags in tow, sit in individual front wicker seats and a rear bench, making this charming Cabrioletta a delightfully Greek interpretation of Italy's la dolce vita, infused with the unmistakable spirit of kefi.