It’s been 60 years since the arrival of the so-called “Jolly Spiaggina”, the first special series of the Fiat 500. And to celebrate, Garage Italia and Pininfarina have teamed up to produce a beach-ready tribute fittingly dubbed the “Spiaggina by Garage Italia”.
The vehicle is based on a Fiat 500C and features what the Italian brand calls “sophisticated solutions that reinterpret the spirit of those years for today’s world”.
Finished in a mix of Sky Blue and Pearl White, the showcar’s roof has been removed (just like the original Spiaggina) and the rear passenger space transformed into a compartment complete with a built-in “shower”. Pininfarina technicians assisted Garage Italia staff with the structural reinforcement work to make this possible, adding items such as a rear roll-bar to ensure chassis rigidity.
The showcar has a lowered nautical windscreen and the load platform is trimmed in slatted cork, while the two front seats have been replaced by a tailor-made bench, covered with (waterproof) blue and white Foglizzo Leather upholstery.
Interestingly, Fiat says its 500C (in Italy, anyway) can be ordered and customised with all the features seen on this one-off by Garage Italia. Any of the engine derivatives currently available for the Fiat 500 can be used.
“Eleven years have now passed since the model was reborn on 4 July 2007 and today, through Garage Italia, I’ve decided to celebrate and renew a splendid Italian icon by working with my design centre to create the ‘Spiaggina by Garage Italia’, styled by my team with invaluable technical and engineering input from Pininfarina and with the support of the Fiat brand,” said Lapo Elkann, chairperson and creative director of Garage Italia.
“I’m proud of what we have achieved, and I’m proud that all this has been done in Italy, with Italian firms which promote our beloved country all around the world. I’m sure that this car will make people imagine, dream and interpret the Italian way of enjoying life that has been inspiring the world for generations.”
In addition, Fiat has released its own special edition, called the “Spiaggina ’58” (pictured below), with a production run limited to 1 958 units. Available exclusively as a convertible, this model wears Volare Blue livery, along with an ivory soft-top, a white belt liner and the vintage-design 16-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the facia features the same Volare Blue colour while the seats boast a two-tone design.
