Beschreibung:

As redolent of La Dolce Vita Italy as the immortal Vespa scooter, the ‘beach car’ is most famously embodied by Ghia’s ‘Jolly’, unquestionably the best known of the many alternatives to the standard FIAT 600 offered by some of Italy’s finest carrozzeria. Introduced in 1955 and produced for 15 years, FIAT’s 600 and 600D proved to be an outstanding success for the company, with some 2.5 million built. The compact, rear-engined saloon spawned numerous variants, from sporting and competition versions by Abarth to the ahead-of-its-time Multipla people carrier and, of course, the Jolly. A novel and quintessentially Italian concept that transformed these humble saloons from basic transport into conspicuous indicators of wealth, the Jolly was a ‘beach buggy’ before that genre was popularised by scores of Volkswagen-based specials. The Jolly found favour as courtesy transport for patrons of luxury hotels and golf courses or for use ashore after one had docked one's yacht on the Italian or French Riviera. Lacking doors and equipped with wickerwork seats, the Jolly was only practical as leisure transport, thus confirming its owner's status as someone who could afford a car ‘just for fun’. Previously registered in Texas, USA, this delightful FIAT Jolly was brought to the UK in September 1997, import/export documents in file recording the fact that it was sold as a non-running restoration project at that time. The car was subsequently restored (in 2007) by FIAT specialists, Middle Barton Garage, of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire and is presented today in superb condition, complete with safari roof and recently re-wickered seats. Serviced/MoT’d in August 2008 (see bill of file) and ready to enjoy, it comes with the aforementioned documentation, sundry restoration invoices and FIAT Motor Club (GB) letter of authenticity. Immatriculée auparavant au Texas (Etats-Unis), cette ravissante Fiat Jolly a été exportée vers le Royaume-Uni en septembre 1997. Les documents d'import/export contenus dans le dossier précisent qu'elle a alors été vendue comme un projet de restauration non roulant. La voiture sera ensuite restaurée (en 2007) par les spécialistes Fiat, Middle Barton Garage, de Chipping Norton, dans l'Oxfordshire, et se présente maintenant en superbe état, complète avec son toit safari et ses sièges en osier récemment refaits. Révisée et passée au contrôle technique anglais (MoT) en août 2008 (voir facture dans le dossier), elle est prête à faire un heureux propriétaire. En plus de la documentation déjà mentionnée, elle est accompagnée de diverses factures de restauration ainsi que d'une lettre d'authenticité du Fiat Motor Club (GB).