Fiat 500 Elegance Savio

Vehicle Overview

The Fiat 500 Elegance, a stylish Spiaggina designed by Mario Boano for Savio, represents a unique chapter in automotive history. This ‘beach car,’ built by Carrozzeria Savio of Turin, was a special creation that showcased Italy’s flair for blending functionality with playful design. Interestingly, the design was not entirely new; it had first been used by Carrozzeria Boano for the original Fiat 500 Spiaggina. Boano, a master coachbuilder, had already experimented with this open-air concept before offering his final independent proposal for Savio. Shortly after, he would go on to manage the Fiat Styling Department. The Fiat 500 Elegance was unveiled at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, making a bold statement and gracing the cover of *Auto Italiana* magazine, highlighting its importance at the event. Although Carrozzeria Savio may not be as widely recognized as some other Italian coachbuilders, it had a rich history dating back to its founding in 1919 by brothers Antonio and Guiseppe Savio in Turin. The company began with a contract to build bodies for Itala and gradually expanded its reach, creating coachwork for nearly all of Italy’s major automotive manufacturers. After World War II, Savio concentrated its efforts on FIAT chassis, producing a range of innovative and distinctive models. The Fiat 500 Elegance was part of the burgeoning trend of ‘beach cars’ or Spiagginas, small, open-air vehicles ideal for leisurely coastal drives. However, despite its stylish appeal, the project was short-lived. In 1965, Savio introduced the Jungla, a rugged, Moke-like recreational vehicle based on the FIAT 600 and later the 850. The Jungla, designed for a wider range of recreational and utilitarian purposes, became a significant success. Its popularity ultimately overshadowed the more niche Fiat 500 Elegance, leading to the beach car’s demise. Despite its brief production life, the Fiat 500 Elegance remains a testament to Italian automotive ingenuity. Its origins in Boano’s earlier Spiaggina designs and its place in Savio’s history highlight the company’s ability to adapt to changing markets while maintaining a distinctive and stylish approach to vehicle design.