Fiat

Est. 28.5 bhp, 633 cc liquid-cooled, rear-mounted four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,000 mm

Overall: The Fiat Jolly presents as a very good and more recent cosmetic restoration. Exterior: The exterior is finished in red paint which has been very nicely applied and displays no major blemishes. There are polishing marks present throughout the paint, and the chrome elements which have all been replated. Interior: The interior is in excellent condition with fully restored wicker seats, excellent fresh canvas top, and refinished tub and dash. The Plexiglas cover over the instrumentation is original and yellowed. Engine: The engine appears to be complete and functional. The engine and engine bay have been cosmetically restored with black paint, and displays some patina from age and use. Underside: The underside appears to be solid and is covered with black undercoating throughout.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Fiat's 500 and 600 of the 1950s were the brilliant successors to the pre- and post-war 500 Topolino. As the Topolino put hundreds of thousands of Italians into cars for the first time before World War II, the 500 and 600 were the cars that put nearly all the rest of the country onto four-wheels in the years leading into and during "Il Boom," the economic miracle that swept Italy from the mid-fifties through the sixties.

The Fiat Jolly is a delightful, silly, and eccentric vehicle. Employed specifically as land transport for docked yachts, courtesy transport fo luxury resorts and golf courses, and traveling inside the gates of great estate, they were the most humble of cars elevated for the use of the most well-heeled. If one bought a Jolly, it was clear one could afford to run a car with no practical purpose. Sedans were converted into Jollys at the workshop of Carrozzeria Ghia, and while most of the conversion was reductive, the long, tubular side handrails and chrome fender accents added a bit of style to the little Fiats.

This particular Jolly has recently completed a full restoration in Florida and has been specially liveried for this event, as it is finished in red and remains fully outfitted with the correct Jolly equipment, including the wicker seats and surrey top.