Introduced to the world in 1957 and affectionately known as the “Cinquecento”, the Fiat 500 was born out of post-war Italy, and was designed to meet the needs of a country recovering from economic hardship—offering a small, affordable, and practical vehicle for daily commuting. Its compact size, innovative space-saving design, and affordability made it an instant hit, not just in Italy but around the world. Alongside the standard Fiat 500, the Abarth series emerged, offering a more performance-oriented setup. Named after Carlo Abarth, an Austrian-born racing driver and entrepreneur, the Abarth versions of the Fiat 500 were tuned for speed and agility, catering to enthusiasts who craved more power and performance.

The history of the Fiat Jolly adds another layer to the Cinquecento’s story...Fiat founder Gianni Agnelli wanted something a bit more special than the traditional 500—specifically to fit on the aft deck of this 82 ft. yacht, “Agneta”. Well, with those orders, a total of 300 Cinquecentos were to sent to famed Italian design house, Ghia, with the result being a series of unique Mediterranean cruisers, bearing the nickname “Jolly”. Sadly, of the 300 period Jollys produced, it is rumored that only about 100 still exist today.

Photographed here, our 2017 Fiat 500 Abarth has been uniquely customized to resemble a '60s Fiat Jolly. This completely bespoke commission has been fitted with a full marine sound system and a robust, weatherproof vinyl interior. Power by the 500 Abarth’s throaty sounding, 1.4L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder motor, this little city and beach cruiser is far more capable than its original ‘60s counterpart.

For more information, please contact Walt Grace Vintage at +1.786.483.8180 or [email protected].