This New Fiat 500 Jolly ‘Spiaggina’ Is Inspired by Vintage Speedboats
The Fiat 500 Jolly, or “Spiaggina,” has always been a favorite among seafarers. The rare, open-air variant of the classic Fiat 500, custom-built by Italy’s Carrozzeria Ghia in the late 1950s and ‘60, was historically used as a land tender, taking the rich and famous from their yachts to beach clubs or private villas around the Med. (Previous high-profile owners include Elvis Presley, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Grace of Monaco, to name but a few.) The car’s connection to yachting is now even stronger thanks to Garage Italia.
The Milan-based creative agency, which specializes in bespoke automotive restorations and electric vehicle conversions, has teamed up with Hot Lab to create a Spiaggina inspired by vintage speedboats. The acclaimed yacht design studio, famous for penning vessels such as the 164-foot Eternal Spark, created a distinctive two-tone livery with white on top and blue on the bottom that reflects the split between a yacht’s hull and the waterline.
That nautical colorway extends to the canopy and seats, both of which are covered in a new indoor-outdoor fabric designed by Garage Italia and produced by Mariaflora. The weave, known as Scia, puts a fresh spin on the classic striped motif, incorporating a pattern reminiscent of the wake left by a boat on the water. The lines are not dead straight but rather somewhat wavy, evoking movement and speed. (Scia will become part of a dedicated Mariaflora collection.)
The “Heritage Tunnel” with a magazine holder.
Hot Lab
At the center of the car is a wooden “Heritage Tunnel” that can be fitted with either a magazine rack for your favorite mags or a bottle holder for your wine of choice. The Nardi Classic steering wheel is also wood, adding to that vintage feel. Beneath the foot, blue-and-white floor mats made by Italdek from marine-grade material resemble boat decking. The two side ropes also nod to the marine world, with traditional nautical knots at the center.
“Every element of the model contributes to a coherent project in which the Spiaggina retains its iconic character while being reinterpreted through the codes, materials and details of the nautical world,” Hot Lab, part of the Viken Group, said in a statement.
The car is currently a concept, but it is ready for production. “The idea is that Hot Lab will be offering it as a yacht toy to clients to complement their existing superyachts or future builds,” a spokesperson for the studio told Robb Report.
Click here to see more photos of the car.
