FIAT 500 Giardiniera JOLLY Exceptional Beach Car

1965 FIAT 500 GIARDINIERA "JOLLY"
It was during his long tenure as Chairman of FIAT Spa. that Giovanni Agnelli commissioned coach builder Ghia to modify the classic FIAT Nuova 500  Coupe' into the creation that wonderful Agnelli had envisioned. the classic Jolly (Joker of the Beach). Ghia designed a sporting body for the FIAT 500. By removing the roof. doors and standard interior Ghia created a smooth flowing and simple body for the 500. A shortened wind screen. basic trim. a surrey roof with a touch of fringe and those now classic. wicker seats. Agnelli's creation quickly became a hit in Italy and along the Mediterranean Sea. as he would drive his Jolly along the sea shores. The Jollies were commonly used as Yacht Tenders. or as transportation by many of the resorts along the coast. The Jolly simply became a must-have automobile for the "Jet Set". Jolly owners included Aristotle Onassis. Grace Kelly. President Lyndon B. Johnson. and yes. even Mae West. Today. these Jolly automobiles are sought after and each year at Catalina Island they have a parade just for Jollies
Among a very few variants of the standard FIAT 500 Jolly and perhaps the rarest of all is the long wheel based version the Giardiniera (people mover) at a whopping 4 inches longer wheel base. The Giardiniera Jolly long wheel base povided ample room at the rear of the car for luggage to move the resorts guests to and from their villas. That extra luggage space was also provided by locating the standard vertical. inline two cylinder. 599 cc engine to the horizontal position. A full syncromesh four speed gear box will power the car to nearly 55 mph. Ghia constructed the Jolly automobiles from 1957 into 1965. Autobianchi. utilizing the Ghia bodies. took over the production of the car from 1965 until the last ones were built in 1974
A classic car broker reported that this car was imported in late 2011. Prior to it's importation. the Jolly under went a full and extensive restoration in Italy. cosmetically. as well as mechanically. including a full rebuild of the engine and transaxle. Just completed was a freshing up of the paint work. It was during that process that the car was stripped down and a rolled up Italian news paper was discovered behind one of the tail lights. That paper is dated 11/2011. The car was registered and certified by Carrozzeria Ghia Club Italia. The homologation certificate is included with the sale of the car. In addition. the car is registered with Registro Storico FIAT. That document included. as well. A log book of the restoration. showing the work performed. in Italy. is included with the sale.  
Mechanically. the car is very solid. the engine runs beautifully. with no issues. the transaxle shifts smoothly and precise. The brakes work properly. as does the clutch. All of the electrical system works properly. even the horn. The only issue is that the speedometer has stopped functioning. The cable has been checked. Is is turning freely. The speedometer itself. has not been checked. The tires are nearly new. for the exception of the spare. which is usable. just not new. Cosmetically. the body is nearly flawless. There are a few scratches on the wind screen. The rubber is in fine condition as is the bright work.  It is truly an exceptional example of the FIAT 500 Jolly!
The Jolly was invited to participate last weekend at the prestigious Ponte Vedra Concours. The one comment that I will always remember about the car came from a young lady. maybe in her early 20s. She simply said that "This car. makes me happy".  Just as the iconic Vepsa motor scooter the FIAT Jolly is simply Italy. I am sure that the buyer will truly enjoy. as well as treasure the Jolly. whether it is along the coast. at the lake side or to the country club.  
The reserve is set far below of recent auction sales for FIAT Jollies. More photographs and information are available upon request.  
You are invited to inspect this car. It is located on Amelia Island. Fl. It is being sold as is and without warranty. A $2. 00. 00 deposit. by way of paypal must be received within 24 hours of the close of this auction. The balance must be received within 7 days of the close of this auction. It is the responsibility of the buyer to arrange and pay for shipment of this car.  

Also published at eBay.com

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