The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The Renault 4CV Jolly: the beach version built by Carrozzeria Ghia.
The Renault 4CV Jolly stands as one of the most renowned custom cars based on the 4CV. Produced by Ghia in 50 examples using consecutively serial numbered 4CVs, this beach car was tailored for the US market, drawing inspiration from its Fiat 600 and 500 siblings. Initially, the Turin-based coachbuilder expressed interest in another project conceived by Messrs. Maurice Mestivier and Roger Lepeytre of Autobleu, specialists in car accessories. Their vision of an elegant coupé led them to Ghia for realization. However, production challenges prompted Autobleu to entrust the project to the esteemed Henri Chapron. Ghia also crafted two cabriolet examples based on the 4CV. Today, approximately a dozen 4CV Jollys are believed to exist.
The birth of the Spiaggina (Spiaggia = Beach) takes place in the immediate post-war period at the initiative of some Italian coachbuilders which transformed small mass production cars in order to make them suitable for the needs of wealthy customers during the holiday period in the seaside resorts.
Read part 1 The revolution by Savonuzzi The succession of prototypes made on behalf of Chrysler undoubtedly influenced the 1951 project by Piero Dusio,…
