1968 FIAT 500 F "Albarella"
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Savio
Chassis no. 1727461

In the Mid Fifties Gianni Agnelli and Aristotle Onassis were photographed during the summer season in the best known Italian or Cote d'Azur holiday resorts aboard small customized Fiats. From then on started the fashion for these cars, they were deprived of the roof, doors and side windows and fitted with water proof wicker seats. They were know as "spiaggina" (beach cars); many Italian coachbuilders, among them Pinin Farina, Ghia, Moretti and Savio, built them in small numbers for their VIPs.

Carrozzeria Savio, established in 1920, was one of the many Carrozzeria in the Turin area specialized in manufacturing special bodies on Fiats. In 1965 it launched the "Jungla" (based on the Fiat 600), a beach car which became immediately the best seller of the company.

In 1967 Savio introduced the 'Albarella' (the name comes from a private island situated in the lagoon south of Venice), built on the Fiat 500 F platform. It was produced in very small numbers (some publications refer to a mere 20 examples in total) as the price was not competitive with its bigger engined sister.

First registered on July 12, 1968 the car on offer has been in the same Italian family ownership since new; the first owner was the uncle of the actual owner, under whose name the car is registered since 1975.

The car was kept in the family holiday villa along the Adriatic Sea, always stored in the garage. It has been used as transport every year in the summer season by the family members to go from the villa to the beach. It served very well for the last 53 summers, as the Fiat 500 mechanics are bullet proof (being a 2-cylinder air cooled engine) and very reliable. It only requires a well charged battery and fuel to perform on the button.

The car was never restored, still shows the original paint with some patina, is in sound condition: only the soft top was replaced some years ago, it is fitted with safety belts and is in good running condition.

Very rare, small (it is less than 3 meters long), it is the perfect and fun commuter from a home on the seaside or for placing on or near a motor yacht, always ready to provide fun to its driver and to the curious among the onlooking crowd.