I’ve seen plenty of pictures of the Fiat 500 and 600 “Jolly” beach cars by Ghia, but not a Renault 4CV. But here it is looking ever so jolly, ready to take you on your U-Drive Tropical Tape Tour (“a miniature tape-recording as your beach guide”).
Where this is, I know not.
Here’s some shots of the Fiat versions:
The 500. All of these came with genuine wicker seating.
And the 600, which started this line. Beach buggies, European-style.
Like you, I was unaware of the 4CV Jolly. Apparently these were custom bodies manufactured by Ghia between 1954 and 1961. The Fiat 600/500 was the most popular donor, but the 4CV was also used (the first Jolly produced in 1954 was a 4CV).
Like most things not meant to last, surviving Jollys (Jollies?) now command big bucks. A Fiat 600 Jolly just sold on BringATrailer a few months ago for $130,000.
Just out of curiosity I Googled the 4CV Jolly, and they’re also fetching six-figures sums.
I have never seen one. Thanks for bringing this to us.
Unusually large wheels for the era. Was it retro to the 20’s or way ahead of its time? Can’t be big brakes.
The 4CV was launched in 1947, before wheel sizes started to be reduced – from a quick Google, it had 400mm wheels (about 15 3/4 inches).
The Morris Minor came out in 1948 with 14 inch wheels so it may have been one of the earlier examples of smaller wheels?
Miniature reel recorders were something of a fad in the early 60s. I owned one briefly but the motor broke and there were no replacement parts.
Considering the inconvenience of reels, it’s strange that cassettes took so long to arrive. Philips was using cassettes in dictation recorders in 1950, but they didn’t start spreading until the 70s.
There were cartridges/cassettes for cars as early as the 1959 Fidelipac, but the usual “format wars” made it hard for one standard type to take hold. There were 3 sizes of the first ones, the Muntz 4 track cartridges, and the 8-track cartridge (from the folks who brought you Lear Jets) that was popular in the 1970s. The Philips Compact Cassette from 1963 is what eventually prevailed, though it wasn’t until about 1970 that the sound quality was good enough for music. I recall that some of the early factory tape players in late 60s/early 70s cars could also record.
Yes, I’ve seen some of the early factory tape decks with recorders pitched to busy executives, who could dictate letters and memos while traveling, or during their commute.
Not sure if they didn’t catch on due to a limited market, compatibility issues with dictation equipment in offices at the time, or concerns over distracted driving. Or perhaps all of the above.
Never aware of the 4CV version, but the Fiats were used as rental cars on Catalina Island (26 miles off Los Angeles). We thought the wicker seats were particularly novel.
That’s Waikiki beach and the lady on the right is Beverly Noa – a beautiful dancer.
You are correct, the view over the passenger seat is the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (The Pink Palace). And the front plate is the red background/white lettering, those were issued from 57-60.
A boss of mine in the 1980’s had a Fiat Jolly, it was a total death trap yet still compelling .
I like the looks of the Renault better but not important .
-Nate
So now i can know from where the Leylnd Mini Moke was copying the idea …
…and the Citroen Mehari
and the Renault 4 plain air