The return of the “spiaggina”, the Vips’ summer car: from the Fiat 600 Jolly Ghia to the 500 Boano by Gianni Agnelli
The spectacular scenery of the Gulf of Portofino is the best setting for the 600 Jolly Ghia
It was the early 1960s and with the sad memory of the war and the optimistic vision of industrial development and consequent well-being, alternative projects to small cars multiplied, the modest extraordinary cars with which a large part of the Italian population was powered.
It is precisely from the small car that the “spiaggina” is born, a sophisticated summer car, intended for the wealthy class, to run on fashionable beaches.
Light, airy, with the sun awning like a four-wheel canopy, without doors like a boat and water-proof interiors.
Perfect for tourist resorts, for our coasts which, in those promising years, came alive with elegant bathing establishments, luxury hotels, and highly frequented sports centers.
Some Italian movies of that period present the "spiaggina" as one of the status symbols of the time.
One of the first cars of this type was the 1958 Fiat 500 Boano Spiaggia, built in just 2 specimens: one for Gianni Agnelli and the other for Aristotle Onassis.
Destinations that speak for themselves.
Since then, this car model has become famous in the VIPS’ world.
Many others followed:
The Vignale Spiaggetta 600
The Ghia Jolly 600 (1961)
The DAF “Beach Car” by the great Michelotti, with wicker seats and upholstery (1966).
The Eden Roc, built on the basis of the 600 Multipla, beautifully designed cars with bodywork by Pinin Farina for the legendary lawyer.
The Plein Air, 1968, of Renault. The British Mini Moke, in military style.
The modified Dune Buggy, Wolksvagen suitable for exploring sandy areas. In Italy made by Puma, by Adriano Gatto, in 1974, and launched in the movie: “Altrimenti ci arrabbiamo….” with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. And many more models ...
The Fiat 600 Jolly Ghia was designed for the homonymous Turin bodyshop (specialized in unique specimens) by the engineer and designer Sergio Sartorelli (Alessandria, 1928-Turin, 2009). About 400 specimens were built for a very select clientele. At Monterey Car Week, the most exclusive car auction in the world, the small Fiat 600 Jolly Ghia was sold for $ 120,000!
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