• First owned by Gianni Agnelli—industrialist, Fiat boss, and icon of style
• Believed to be one of just two examples created by Mario Boano
• A highly original and unrestored survivor with unrepeatable provenance
• Accompanied by its original Italian Libretto and FIVA Identity Card

At one point head of Fiat, owner of Juventus F.C., and responsible for more than three per cent of Italy’s workforce, Gianni Agnelli was one of the 20th Century’s great industrialists. But he was also a style icon—a man whose elegance and eye for design helped shape the world of fashion. Nowhere was that effortless cool more evident than in his choice of automobile.

In 1958 “L’Avvocato” ordered two spectacular cars from Carrozzeria Ghia’s Mario Boano. Based on the floorpan and mechanical components of the humble Fiat Nuovo 500, the hand-built masterpieces featured rakish open coachwork, lashings of wood trim, woven front seats, and a plush rear bench for passengers. One was given to Aristotle Onassis, while this example was registered in Agnelli’s name on 25 June 1958 and used for entertaining friends and dignitaries at the spectacular Villa Leopolda in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.

This hugely significant Spiaggina featured in Vogue magazine and sparked a trend for beach cars and jollies that captured perfectly la dolce vita. Thought to be the only surviving example, this car was given to Agnelli’s driver, Bernadino Aiassa, in 1973, and was sold to Mario Rossi a year later. Recently discovered by a noted Turin collector, the unrestored and highly original Fiat was exhibited at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2018. Presenting in beautiful condition, this remarkable rarity would surely add a touch of joy and glamour to even the most prestigious of collections.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa24/.