Gallery: Karmann throughout the years

Karmann Go: Legendary coachbuilder shuts down as last car comes off the line originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rolls-Royce to build special edition Minis? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cadillac CTS convertible: American coachbuilding at its finest originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Click the image above to see the hi-res gallery of the Fiat 500 by Aznom

So far the aristocratic tuners at Castagna have given us MINI pickups, a psycho-retro rebodied Corvette Z06 codenamed Aznom, and, uh, this thing they call the Gran Tourer Sport. For their next trick, they tackle the Fiat 500. Surprisingly, for a car that looks like it's about to go collect pollen, we don't mind it. The car's just so bloody cute, it Aznom gets away with it.

There are three versions: Amabile, Intrigante, and Seducente. They are loaded up with Alcantara throughout, as well as the most fascinatingly patterned wood. No word on whether the purse comes with one of them. There are also Aznom badges and stitching throughout, which was previously the name of a Castagna car, and now appears to be an entire brand.

Follow the jump for the press release -- make sure you have a glass of Chianti and Puccini in the background for that first paragraph -- and be sure to check out the hi-res images.

[Source: 4 Wheels Blog]

Gallery: Fiat 500 by Aznom

Continue reading Aznom tunes the Fiat 500

Aznom tunes the Fiat 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Did you think the Castagna Aznom was an odd little duckling? Then you've clearly forgotten about the Codatronca, the likewise Corvette-based Italian coachbuilt limited-edition supercar, initial details of which we brought you several months ago. SpadaConcept, the Italian design studio that cooked up the concept, has now released more details on the distinctive tailfinned sportscar.

For all you technophiles out there, we've got all the dimensions and specifications. Based on the Corvette C6, the Spada Codatronca places the engine in a front-mid layout, driving through the rear wheels. Starting with the aluminum LS7 7-liter OHV V8, Spada fits twin Rotrex superchargers, dual intercoolers, an eight-quart dry-sump lubrication system, titanium valves and connecting rods, sequential fuel injection and a boosted compression ratio of 11:1. All that nets an impressive 600 hp at 6,300 rpm and 790 Nm of torque at 4,600. The power is channeled through the rear wheels via a short-throw 6-speed manual.

(Details continue to astonish after the jump.)

Gallery: SpadaConcept Codatronca

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Continue reading Shark Attack: Spada Codatronca details emerge

Shark Attack: Spada Codatronca details emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the most exciting recent developments in the industry, by this writer's account at least, is the re-emergence of the coachbuilding industry. Cars like the Fisker Latigo and Zagato Ferrari 575 GTZ have heralded a revival of the long-lost segment that inherently gives birth to some of the most unique automobiles on the road. It was only a matter of time until the Italians picked up where they left off by crafting unique Corvette-based sportscars.

Italian coachbuilder Castagna Milano, originally founded way back in the 1850s and revived in the 1990s, has created a number of bespoke models, including the Imperial Landaulet concept and a slew of custom Minis. The carrozzeria's latest offering, the Castagna Aznom, was previewed in skeletal form back in April at Monaco's Top Marques show, and the firm has now released further details and images.

Based on the Corvette Z06, the Aznom also draws on retro Corvette styling elements, blended with thoroughly modern design features to create a heart-stopping supercar. The egg-crate grille is drawn from the original '53 Vette, slab-sided flanks from the '58 Stingray and fenders from the '56 SR-2 Sebring race car. On the contemporary side of things, LED rear lights, retracting rear wing, three-section rear diffuser and F1-style fender-mounted carbon-fiber wing mirrors round out the design. Those sharp five-spoke wheels measure 20 inches, shod in 285/30 and 335/30 Pirelli PZero rubber front and rear respectively, housing 356mm cross-drilled discs with six-pot calipers fore and 340mm discs with 4-pot calipers aft. The cockpit even features a Google Earth-powered sat-nav system.

Whether you love or hate the unique styling, the Aznom has the "go" to back up the "show". Castagna has thoroughly massaged the Z06's 7-liter V8 from 500 horsepower to a whopping 750, and with the use of carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium bodywork, has trimmed the weight down to 1,400 kg. With that magical formula of more power and less weight, the carrozzeria puts the performance figures at 0-60 in a scant 3.4 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 217 mph.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Gallery: Castagna Aznom

RetroVette: Castagna Aznom unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fisker makes some of the most desirable custom cars on the market, reviving the age-old practice of coachbuilding new bodies on existing cars. Recently we reported that Fisker, whose namesake chief was responsible for some beautiful Aston Martins, is considering building their own unique vehicle from the ground up. Now emerging rumors suggest that Fisker may be leaning towards making a sedan.

At this point, it remains unclear if the two plans are self-exclusive, if they'll both go forward independently or if they're one and the same. Being a small outfit, it would seem unlikely for Fisker to take on both projects simultaneously, but the existing SL-based Tramonto convertible and 6-Series-based Latigo made their debut around the same time.

We wouldn't be surprised if Fisker decided to go ahead with a coachbuilt four-door coupe based on the Mercedes CLS. In fact, we're sure we'd be delighted, as hard as it would be to improve on the CLS' gorgeous lines.

[Source: Leftlane News]

Fisker working on a sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ever wonder what would happen if you crossed a Nissan 350Z with a Rolls-Royce? Yeah, us neither. But Indian styling house DC Design, the same people who brought us the Cayenne coupe, seem to have a knack for crafting the answers to questions no one was asking - with considerable skill, mind you.

DC Comics gave us Batman and Bruce Wayne, but DC Design gives us the wheels that would satisfy both: a one-off custom coach-built Rolls-Royce coupe, complete with gargantuan wheels and trick Enzo-style doors that are sure to turn heads. Details aren't available, though it's rumored to be based on a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit platform. The styling reminds us of such concept cars as the Maybach Exelero and the Peugeot 907 and 908 RC.

Rolls-Royce's own two-door may be on its way, but this one's sure to remain one of a kind - for better or for worse.

More images after the jump. (AutoExpress has a couple of shots of the car caught in the wild.)

[Source: Motor Authority]

Continue reading Bruce Wayne or Batman? DC Design Rolls-Royce coupe

Bruce Wayne or Batman? DC Design Rolls-Royce coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 01:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Volga is known mostly for small Soviet-era sedans used by the KGB and as limos for the communist party central committee members - a little less so for customized German luxury cars. But in a revolution against Western propaganda, the Russian automaker has unveiled its second coachbuilt BMW.

The Volga V8 roadster starts life as a BMW 650i cabriolet before being treated to custom body panels to give the car 60's retro styling in tribute to the (charismatically-named) Volga GA3-21P. Aside from the bodywork, the car's mechanicals seem to carry over from the stock BMW, which is probably a smart move.

The V8 Roadster follows the path of the V12 Coupe, based on the BMW 850 CSi, which was built in 2001 as a throwback to the Volga GA3-219 (with a 9, the roadster has a P).

Not much additional information is available on the cars, unless you're fluent in Russian, but follow the jump to find a full gallery of images.

Volga may be in danger of folding, but not before joining Fisker in crafting an exclusive coachbuilt BMW.

[Source: CarDesign.ru]

Continue reading Coachbuilt BMW 6-Series by...Volga?

Coachbuilt BMW 6-Series by...Volga? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Many dedicated Ferrari fans have been less than satisfied with the designs rolling out of Maranello. (Taking the 612 Scaglietti as an example, we couldn't blame them, especially when compared to the sumptuous GTs of the past.) Some complain from the sidelines, while others refuse: One customer had design house Pininfarina re-body an Enzo to emulate the classic 330 P4. Another had Zagato rebody a 575 M Maranello on the inspiration of the unique 250 GTZ. Now a small Dutch design firm is announcing plans to build the Vandenbrink GTO.

While little information is available at this point, any Ferrari fan would recognize the sumptuous lines as a modern interpretation of the iconic early-sixties Ferrari 250 GTO. The designer is currently evaluating both the 575M and the new 599 GTB as possible chassis donors. Vandenbrink says they have received enough interest from potential customers to put the GTO into limited production, either as a one-off custom for one lucky customer, or potentially as a very limited edition of five.

No timeframe has been set at this point, as Vandenbrink tells us, "It's never good to rush any design, especially not an exclusive one-off like this." We couldn't agree more, though we're looking forward to providing updates as this exciting project takes shape. Even at this early stage, one thing is already clear: The days of custom coachbuilt Ferraris are coming back, and coming back strong. Stay tuned.

[Source: Vandenbrink Design]

Continue reading Vandenbrink GTO may see production

Vandenbrink GTO may see production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Zagato's Ferrari 575 GTZ unveiled

Zagato's Ferrari 575 GTZ unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.