The Fiat Jolly was built summer fun, or if you had real money, to putt around the deck of your yacht. It was simple, provided plenty of sun, and wasn’t going to get you anywhere fast. Malcolm Bricklin, a US based Subaru dealer, took a liking to the concept and decided to have a few of his own runabouts built. His were based on the tiny Subaru 360 and featured a stylish cutaway body. These little guys are very rare and ones in this condition are unheard of. Find it here on eBay in Sarasota, Florida with the reserve not met.
Sand spewing power is provided by this 356 cc two-stroke two-cylinder engine. The seller claims that this things can achieve speeds of 70 mph. We think they may be a little optimistic there, but we doubt we would ever find out because anything over 40 has to be terrifying. The mileage is pegged at 9,100 miles and the engine is claimed to run well.
There isn’t much to hold on to when cornering, so we are sure the seatbelts will be appreciated. With the open air feel and the four speed transmission this thing has to be blast to drive. Cruise around the beach or visit the local country club and you are bound to get plenty of looks.
This micro car has undergone a recent restoration and looks great. The only bad thing about that is that the seller knows exactly what they have and they are not going to let it go cheap. We know of a few of these cars that have sold for pennies because most people do not even know what they are. The seller is a dealer and their site lists an asking price of $19k so don’t expect the reserve to be much lower than that. Still, that is a lot less money than a comparable Jolly would cost you. So if you have always wanted a Jolly, but couldn’t justify the high prices, this may be one you.
About Jesse
Now that is cute. I’ve never heard of these Subaru “Jollys” before.I’m confused by the seller’s statement that it’s one of only 30, and one of only 15 convertibles. Wouldn’t a “Jolly” by definition be a convertible, or did they actually make some with a fixed roof and cutaway sides? That would sure be an oddball.
By the way, Malcolm Bricklin wasn’t just a dealer; he was the importer. He was already a very successful entrepreneur by the late 1960′s but his first automotive venture was importing these Subarus and setting up the first Subaru dealer network.
What’s up w/ the red convertible?
stupid toy. whats next collectable golf carts. They made 30 because they were plain silly.
When I was stationed in Hawaii in 1968, a friend had a Mini Moke. It was a blast and just perfect for Oahu. This looks like fun.
At some time, long before our current NTSA, someone (wise) in the US Government saw a Subaru 360 and stopped their sales entirely. The boatload on the way to the US was stopped, and the 360′s were simply pushed overboard. A builder in North Carolina bought the remaining inventory and put one in every garage in his sub-division…..As an aspiring auto mechanic, I remember that we had a customer with one, and that it was a nightmare to work on and fairly unreliable…
I drove a 360 for 2 years in high school, never a lick of trouble, except running out of gas, but it was pretty easy to push to a gas station. Good snow car also, fooling around in the snow I ran it up over the sidewalk and high centered it on some big shrubs, I hopped out and lifted it up off the bushes (rear engine 360cc) and motored off.
I think it’s ULTRA cute especially knowing it’s a Subaru. Not that I love Subaru especially but to see where companies come from and how they are now implemented in the market.
no one life’s at stake.
@cardog…lighten up
A Collectible can be anything to anyone!
@ Den ..I thought it was a Fiat 500 (I drove mine a bit like you explain your fun) it was an awesome mountain rally car in Belgium (highest mountain 900m)