Try as we might, we’ll never be as cool as Gianni Agnelli cruising the south of France in a custom Fiat 500 Spiaggina Boano. Yes, this remarkable little beach mobile was commissioned by the former Senator of the Italian Republic slash previous Fiat boss — and now it’s up for sale.
Internationally renowned as one of the most stylish men to ever draw breath, Agnelli was once described by designer Diane von Fürstenberg as being a gentleman that, “every woman in the world was in love with, and every man in the world wanted to be.”
At the very peak of his prominence, the uncrowned king of Italy controlled 4.4% of the country’s GDP and 3.1% of its industrial workforce — in addition to owning Juventus FC — so to say there’s some interest (and prestige by association) surrounding this car would be an understatement.
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It’s believed to be one of just two ever produced in the late 50s. One was gifted to fellow captain of industry Aristotle Onassis, while Agnelli used the other for a decade and a half at his Villa Leopolda in Villefranche-sur-Mer; eventually bestowed upon his driver Bernadino Aiassa in 1973.
Handbuilt by Carrozzeria Ghia’s Mario Boano, it’s based on the humble Fiat Nuovo 500 and enjoys bespoke details including rear bench seats, timber trim, and woven front seats.
Offered for sale via the team at RM Sotheby’s, the pre-auction estimate is currently between €270,000 and €290,000 (AU$444,000 and AU$477,000). Even if you don’t have a spare half-mil to drop on a mid-century Fiat 500, you can still appreciate the car as a window into the exceptional taste of Gianni Agnelli — a man who truly embodied la dolce vita.
