The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
Discover the history of the Fiat 1100 TV Trasformabile, the Italian Corvette that blended American-inspired design with European charm. Explore its evolution, design features, and legacy as one of Fiat’s most stylish classic spiders.
The iconic Frua brand, synonymous with the golden age of Italian car design, is being revived by Ericsson Automobile, a Swiss-based licensor of automotive heritage brands. This ambitious revival aims to honor the legacy of Pietro Frua (1913–1983), one of Italy’s most influential designer and coachbuilder whose work shaped automotive aesthetics from the rounded curves of the 1950s to the angular precision of the 1960s.
The shooting brake: part coupé, part wagon, all class. It’s the kind of car that makes you want to throw on a tailored jacket, grab a pair of fine leather driving gloves, and pretend you’re en route to a countryside estate—whether you own one or not. Originally designed for aristocrats who needed room for hunting gear (and possibly a few hounds), the shooting brake evolved into a rare breed of automobile, blending performance with just enough practicality to convince yourself it’s a reasonable purchase.
While BMW is celebrated for its impeccable German engineering, some of its most unique creations have emerged from collaborations with renowned Italian design houses. These partnerships have resulted in stunningly rare cars that combine the precision of German performance with the flair and artistry of Italian styling. From experimental concepts to luxurious grand tourers, these lesser-known BMWs offer a captivating look into the brand’s design diversity. Here are 10 extraordinary BMW models with Italian designs that have slipped under the radar.
The early 1900s marked the birth of a new automotive concept: the station wagon. Originating in the United States around 1910, independent builders crafted wooden bodies for the chassis of Ford Model T cars. Initially conceived as commercial versions of sedan cars tailored for the working class, they were often referred to as carryalls, denoting their ability to carry a multitude of goods thanks to their spacious cargo compartments compared to traditional torpedo bodies.
Pietro Frua, an influential Italian automotive designer born in 1913, left an indelible mark on the industry with his visionary work, shaping iconic cars and pioneering aesthetic excellence.
Italian coachbuilders, renowned for their craftsmanship and design prowess, have left an indelible mark on the automotive world. The marriage of British engineering excellence with Italian design flair has resulted in some of the most striking and unique Jaguars to date. From the golden age of the XK series to the iconic E-Type and beyond, these coachbuilt creations showcase the collaborative brilliance of two automotive cultures.
The Cisitalia 202 is particularly important to automotive history both because it was the first car in the world to be permanently exhibited in a modern art museum, the MoMA in New York, and because it can be considered the first example of the postwar Italian-style granturismo.
The Lancia Aurelia chassis history From the moment the Lancia Aurelia was unveiled to the public at the Turin Motor Show in April 1950,…
The birth of the Spiaggina (Spiaggia = Beach) takes place in the immediate post-war period at the initiative of some Italian coachbuilders which transformed small mass production cars in order to make them suitable for the needs of wealthy customers during the holiday period in the seaside resorts.
In 1960 the entrepreneur and importer Renato Bornigia commissioned Pietro Frua and Francis Lombardi to carry out a project to mass-produce (1000 cars) a variant of the Studebaker Lark in 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan versions.
The Fiat 600 was undoubtedly the car that accompanied Italy through the economic boom. When it was presented it was very popular thanks to its modern lines, the brilliant engine and a cockpit large enough to fit the whole family. The demand for the 600 was so high that Fiat was unable to meet the waiting times, so that many relied on the coachbuilders in order to get its small family car sooner, even at the cost of a higher price.
