Fiat 600 Multipla Jolly, 1959
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Multipla•
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Chassis No.: 046933
Auction: Monterey 2014
Auction date: August 16, 2014
Lot No.: S171
$88,000 | Sold
- Exterior: Red
- Believed to be 1 of less than 30 built
- Built by Ghia
- The rarest of all Fiat Jolly models ever produced
- Underwent no expense spared three year restoration to factory specifications completed in 2012
- Factory and period correct
- Driven several hundred miles since restoration completion
- 633cc four cylinder water-cooled engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Lived in Orange County, CA for many years
- On the cover of Micro-Car Magazine in 2012
- Many magazine features and award winner
- Listed in the Fiat Jolly registry
Has there ever been a more appropriate name for a car than the Jolly? Even without a prominent role as Tatu’s taxi from “de plane!” on Fantasy Island, the charming open-air Fiat 600s built by Ghia would have earned a place in the world’s affection. Fiat had a long history of turning to coachbuilders for special models, and Ghia hand-built several different Jollys, almost all on Nuova 500 and 600 chassis. However, a tiny few, probably under 30, were on the forward control, microvan Multipla platform.
These shared a 79-inch wheelbase with the 600, but were 10 inches longer overall, at 142 inches, allowing Ghia to create a second door opening and the fore-and-aft rear compartment unique to the Multipla Jolly. The standard Jolly wicker seats were arranged uniquely in three rows with two forward and the center row rear-facing. Much like a VW Microbus, the driver sits over the front axle and the rear engine means the back does not open. Recently featured on the cover of issue #2 of the 2012 Microcars Magazine, this Multipla Jolly displays the small headlamps and thin bumpers of a European model, with additional chrome overriders.
It is fresh off a three-year, no-expense-spared restoration to a standard at least as good as the factory, and is complete with the larger 633cc engine and 4-speed, correct wicker seats and matching surrey top. The Fiat Jolly has proven so well suited for its purpose that even today they’re in use at resorts throughout the world. Few of those are the incredibly rare Multipla Jolly, however, a car made not only for the connoisseur, but all lovers of motoring fun everywhere the sun shines.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/191342/1959-fiat-600-multipla-jolly/
