1959 Fiat 500 Jolly (Ghia)

110 031098roadItaly

Engine: 479cc two-cylinder
Colour: Coral

A 1959 Fiat 500 Jolly bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia for the United States market, powered by a 479cc two-cylinder engine with four-speed manual gearbox. Originally acquired as a yacht tender — a role it proved too large to fulfil — the car passed almost immediately to a single family in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where three generations enjoyed it at their cottage over more than six decades. A comprehensive restoration was carried out between 2006 and 2007, returning it to original Coral livery.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$106,400
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1959 → 1959Factory delivery
Original US buyer (intended yacht tender use)
partial documentation
Acquired the car intending to use it as a tender for his yacht, but found it too large to fit on the vessel and sold it almost immediately after delivery.
1959 →Private sale
Consignor's grandfather
partial documentation
Bought the nearly new car from the original owner and kept it at the family's Virginia Beach cottage for warm-weather recreational use.
Date unknownInheritance
Consignor's father
partial documentation
Second-generation family custodian who recalled driving the car to resort areas in Virginia Beach and remarked on the public attention it attracted.
Date unknownInheritance
Current consignor (third generation)
full documentation
Commissioned a full restoration through Abacus Racing of Virginia Beach, begun in early 2006 and finished in late 2007; the car has been carefully maintained since and is accompanied by vintage photos and restoration records.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2007Restoration
Abacus Racing
Comprehensive restoration begun in March 2006 and finished November 2007: engine and gearbox overhauled, floor pans replaced, bodywork repainted in the factory Coral colour, and new upholstery fitted alongside additional remedial tasks.
Restoration documentation retained and accompanies the car.

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