Posted on Wednesday 16 April 2008
One of Italy’s oldest coachbuilders is set to revive its car making business after several decades in hibernation despite the troubled times of many of its closest rivals. The company is Carrozzeria Touring, a coachbuilder first established in 1926 and responisble for a number of cars from the likes of Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Aston Martin to name a few. During the 1960s, many carmakers sourced most of their coachbuilding operations in-house and many of Carrozzeria Touring’s remaining clients signed up with Pininfarina and ItalDesign. This, plus the company’s efforts to adhere to traditional methods and high standards ultimately led to its downfall.
Carrozzeria Touring built many of its cars using fabric-covered lightweight frames, a construction method it dubbed ‘Superleggera’ (Italian for super light), and even patented the concept at one point. Aside from light weight, the Superleggera technique gave great flexibility, allowing Touring to quickly construct innovative body shapes.
In 2006, international automotive group Zeta Europe BV bought the rights to the company and has set about reestablishing the coachbuilder at its original location in Milan. The company now plans to reveal a modern day Superleggera (pictured) at the upcoming Concours d’Elegance Villa d’Este and there are plans to reignite old ties with a number of international carmakers.
This made my evening!
I’m not too familiar with Carrozzeria, but I’m more than happy to see this rise from the ashes. One thing: will Carrozzeria have it’s own vehicle line, be a coachbuilder for other (exotic) companies, of handle both areas?
The Superleggera teaser pic seems to indicate to me that it’s starting it’s own line.
hmmmn maybe they could help out Lamborghini with their next set of cars…the design above looks like a 599 but if they go towards the Miura in design i would be more than happy !