This cute little vintage Fiat 500 beach car is going to cross the auction block at one of RM Sotheby’s upcoming sales and is expected to sell for anywhere between €270,000 and €290,000 (approximately $290,000 to $315,000). Yes, you read the right! This whacky, roof-less version of the humble Fiat 500 ends up fetching more than some of the most desirable and rare classic cars. But there’s a good reason behind it. What you see here is a bespoke automobile commissioned in the late 1950s by none other than Gianni Agnelli – former Fiat president, celebrated Italian industrialist, and one of the most stylish men of the 20th century.
Called the Fiat 500 Spiaggina Boano, it is believed that only two examples of this extraordinary vehicle were built by Carrozzeria Ghia’s Mario Boano in 1958 at the request of Agnelli. The style icon wanted a Nuova 500-based vehicle with chopped-down bodywork, no doors, and wicker seats, making it perfect for use on the beach. What Mario Boano made inadvertently started a popular trend that spawned the 500 Jolly, the Citroen Mehari, the Mini Moke, and many other beach cars.
Out of the two Fiat 500 Spiaggina Boano that were built, one was given to the business magnate Aristotle Onassis. The other example was owned by Agnelli, who regularly used it during his holidays in the south of France. It was even regularly featured on the pages of magazines worldwide during the 1960s. Later, in 1973, the former Fiat president gave the to his driver Bernadino Aiassa.
This particular example is believed to be the only survivor of the two. Lost for many years, the automotive gem was discovered a few years back by “a noted Turin collector.” The car is in an unrestored, highly original condition with a beautiful patina throughout the interior and exterior, making it even more desirable.
