Produced for 18 years, FIAT's Nuova 500 would prove to be an outstanding success for the company with some 2.9 million built. Replacement for FIAT's much-loved 500 'Topolino', the Nuova 500 debuted in 1957. A radical departure from its predecessor's essentially pre-war design, FIAT's new baby featured unitary construction, an opening fabric roof and all-independent suspension, while carrying its engine at the rear. The 479cc power unit was an air-cooled overhead-valve twin and the gearbox a four-speeder. This compact, rear-engined saloon spawned numerous variants, from sporting and competition versions by Abarth to the ahead-of-its-time Giardiniera people carrier. Alternatives to the original were offered by many of Italy's finest carrozzeria, including Bertone, Boano, SIATA, Vignale and Ghia. The best known of these is Ghia's stylish Jolly beach car, a novel concept that transformed the 500 from basic transport to conspicuous indicator of wealth. 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 or for use ashore after one had docked one's yacht. 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'.
Restored by Italian specialists in 2008, this FIAT Jolly is strikingly finished in orange and has the trademark wicker seats. The car is offered with ASI Certificato di Rilevanza Storica (Certificate of Historical Importance).

Variante ludique de la Fiat Nuova 500 produite par Carrozzeria Ghia, la 500 Jolly Beach Car fut une sorte de dune buggy avant la lettre et en son temps un joli jouet indicateur de statut social. Restaurée par des spécialistes italiens en 2008, cette Fiat Jolly peinte dans un orange percutant possède ses sièges spécifiques en osier. Elle est offerte avec son Certificato di Rilevanza Storica (certificat d'importance historique).