1963 Fiat 600
600 SPIAGGINA REPLICA JOLLY GHIA-
Year of manufacture1963
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Car typeConvertible / Roadster
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Chassis number1461400
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Engine number1600310
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Lot number14
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ConditionRestored
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Location
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Exterior colourOther
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GearboxManual
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Drivetrain2wd
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Fuel typePetrol
Description
Type-approved open bodywork on registration
Retains original black plates
Totally restored, completely new
After the Second World War, FIAT was led by Vittorio Valletta, who, with the intention of motorising the new republican Italy, commissioned Dante Giacosa to design the new car: an arduous task, given that the company had very modest potential.
Fiat's small utility car was presented on 9 March 1955 in Geneva, in the Palazzo delle Esposizioni. The '600', born as a popular but not entirely super-utilitarian car, was a resounding sales success and, after a few months, the lead time for delivery exceeded a year. Strategic ingredients of success were the competitive, but not outrageous price, good equipment and quality for the price, good roominess and good road handling which, combined with the good gearbox, also gave driving satisfaction despite the newly designed small engine, the '100', located at the rear, of 633 cm³, delivering 21.5 hp (equal to 15.8 kW) at 4,600 rpm, capable of propelling the car up to 95 km/h. It is considered the icon of the Italian economic boom.
Carrozzeria Ghia made the Jolly version of this model, the 'spiaggina' created exclusively for fun. Wicker seats, no roof or doors to get in and out comfortably, just a cover for the sun. The project was the brainchild of Gianni Agnelli, who wanted a yacht car, a comfortable car that could be unloaded at docking ports and used as a car for his holidays around the world.
Few examples were made, almost all of which are now in museums and supercollections. The example we propose here is a faithful replica based on a Fiat 600, regenerated from scratch in every component, paying attention to every smallest detail to be faithful to its inspirational muse.
The load-bearing body was adequately strengthened due to the lack of a roof, a transformation carried out by a specialised workshop, it then passed the safety standards during testing and obtained the new booklet with the conformity of 'Carrozzeria Aperta' at the Motorizzazione Civile (Vehicle Licensing Authority). At present, it has not travelled a single km since the test drive, and is waiting to be driven along beaches all over the world by its new buyer.