Normally when one imagines the automobiles of the rich and famous, grand European marques such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, and Maserati come to mind. However, when those well-to-do are spending time at the beach, more often than not they are seen behind the wheel of the amicable Fiat Jolly.

The 500 Jolly was based on the reliable mechanicals of the Italian “people’s car,” and it featured dune buggy-like coachwork by Ghia, of Turin, with open sides, a simple surrey top, and wicker seats. They often sported brightly colored paintwork, making them quite the automotive beachfront accessory. As such, they were all the rage in resort towns like Nassau or Key West, and they could often be spotted on the deck of one’s yacht as a tender. In fact, the Jolly was the brainchild of Fiat Chairman Gianni Agnelli, who himself desired a small yet usable car that could be easily transported aboard his 82-foot ketch, Agneta.

This 500 Jolly is finished in a very attractive shade of light green metallic paint, and to call it “eye-catching” would be an understatement. It was fully restored nearly 10 years ago, after having spent its whole life in California, and it was reportedly primarily used within a private golf community for several years prior to restoration. The traditional wicker seats are covered with white leather seat covers, which match the Jolly’s green and white leather-trimmed top. It has been upgraded with a modern stereo that has a CD player and speaker, providing the driver and passengers with the opportunity to enjoy their favorite tunes while cruising down to the waterfront.

Fiat Jollys are incredibly simple yet eternally stylish, making them the perfect vehicle for getting out and about in beachfront towns and thus eliminating the hassle of a full-sized automobile (with doors). Although the Andrews’s example could fit in the bed of the average pickup truck in Texas, there’s no denying that it carries much more in terms of personality.