Coachbuilders - Italy: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Paolo Martin: Visions in Design

Paolo Martin is one of Italy's most influential designers, known for shaping landmark automobiles, motorcycles, scooters, and more. His work includes iconic cars of the 1960s and 1970s such as the Fiat 130 Coupé, Lancia Beta Montecarlo, Peugeot 104, Rolls-Royce Camargue, and concept vehicles including the Pininfarina Dino Berlinetta Competition, BMC 1800 Aerodynamica, and Ferrari Modulo.

Martin's creativity also extended to motorcycles and scooters for Benelli, Gilera, Moto Guzzi, and Piaggio, including the Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans, Benelli 350 Sport and 750/6, and Gilera GSA 50. Beyond vehicles, he designed boats, industrial products, and household items, showcasing a wide-ranging design philosophy.

In this richly illustrated book, Martin reflects on his life, his creative process, and the ideas behind all his designs. For the first time, it presents the complete range of his work, offering insight into the technical and conceptual thinking that made his creations influential worldwide. This volume is a comprehensive record of one of the world's leading designers over the past half century.

Product details

Author:	Paolo Martin
Details:	304 pages, 12 x 8.5 x 1.1 in (30.5 x 21.5 x 2.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	1167 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Dalton Watson Fine Books (USA, 2023)
ISBN:	9781956309003

Encyclopaedia Britalicar: The Story of British Cars & Italian Design

Celebrating the rich, deep partnership between the British car industry and Italian design, this book is packed with coachbuilt cars, design classics and concept cars from the 1920s to the current day. The story starts with the early days of coachbuilt cars on separate chassis from illustrious marques like Bentley, Frazer Nash and Rolls-Royce, which were bodied by such Italian coachbuilders as Pinin Farina, Viotti and Zagato.
After World War Two came the golden era of coachbuilt cars, with Italian companies creating some of the world's most beautiful shapes of all time on chassis from the likes of Aston Martin, Austin-Healey, Bristol, Jaguar, Jowett, MG, Riley and Rover.

Then came the era when Italian carrozzerie morphed into design houses, penning shapes for mass-produced cars like the BMC 1100/1300 and Triumph Herald, and crafting what are widely recognised to be some of the world's most beautiful cars, such as the Aston Martin DB4, AC 428 and Lotus Esprit.
Finally came the era of the 'concept car', with incredible show designs based on British marques such as Jaguars by Bertone, the BMC 1800 Berlina Aerodinamica by Pininfarina and Lotus by Italdesign.
This book reveals the full stories behind the intense, diverse, sometimes surprising and always fascinating links between British cars and Italian design: the characters, the deals, the designs and above all the cars themselves.

British marques included: AC, Armstrong-Siddeley, Aston Martin, Austin, Austin-Healey, Bentley, BL/BLMC/BMC, Bristol, Daimler, DeLorean, Elva, Ferguson, Ford, Frazer Nash, Frisky, Gordon-Keeble, Healey, Hillman, Innocenti, Jaguar, Jensen, Jowett, Lea-Francis, Lola, Lotus, MG, Mini, Morris, Panther, Reliant, Riley, Rolls-Royce, Rover, Singer, Sunbeam, Standard, Triumph, TVR, Vauxhall, Vanden Plas, Wolseley

Italian coachbuilders included: Allemano, Ares, Bertone, Biemme, Boano, Boneschi, Boniolo, Breuer, Casale, Castagna, Cattelan, CECOMP, Coggiola, Drogo, F&F, Fiore, Fissore, Ford Centro Stile, Francis Lombardi, Frua, FT, Garavini, Ghia, Ghia-Aigle, I.DE.A, Indestor, Italdesign, Italsuisse, Michelotti, Monviso, Motto, Opac, OSI, Pilato, Pinin Farina/Pininfarina, Schiaretti, Sibona-Basano, Sports Cars, Stabilimenti Farina, Tjaarda, Touring, Vignale, Viotti, Zagato

Product details

Author:	Chris Rees
Details:	304 pages, 10 x 11.4 x 1.06 in (25.5 x 29 x 2.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Quiller Print (GB, 2021)
ISBN:	9780992665135

Ghia - Masterpieces of Style

This book traces the history of Ghia, one of Italy's most celebrated coachbuilders. It highlights cars with exceptional style and charm, including the Fiat 508 Sport Spider (1934), various Alfa Romeo 6C 2500s, the 1900 SS Abarth (1954), and several rare Ferraris from the same period.

The 1950s were a key decade for Ghia. The company produced a series of luxurious cars inspired by contemporary American designs, along with notable styling experiments such as the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (1955).

The 1960s continued this legacy with classic models like the Fiat 2300 S (1960), the De Tomaso Mangusta and Pantera (1966 and 1970), and the iconic Ghibli (1966).

As with other Italian coachbuilders, Ghia later faced a period of decline, during which ownership changed several times before the brand was acquired by Ford.

Richly illustrated with photographs and technical drawings, this book presents both the cars and the creative vision behind them, making it an essential reference for automotive enthusiasts and historians.

Product details

Author:	Luciano Greggio
Details:	208 pages, 11 x 10 x 0.75 in (28 x 25.5 x 1.9 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Giorgio Nada Editore (I, 2021)
ISBN:	9788879117227

Tom Tjaarda - Master of Proportions

A design hero for all generations of automotive enthusiasts, American legend Tom Tjaarda's name and fame has been synonymous with the De Tomaso, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Innocenti and Lancia marques.
Among his many designs are the Pantera, Deauville, Longchamp, the Fiat 124 Spider, the Ferrari 365 California and the Ford Fiesta.

Brought up in Detroit when the American Dream was beating out its rock 'n' roll rhythm, Tjaarda came to live and work in Europe while the cultural revolution was in full swing. He had a ringside seat at the heart of automotive styling activities in the Mecca of vehicle design, Turin, during the most exciting times.

Though Tom Tjaarda may not have been as prolific as others, the American's influence and importance in the history of automotive design, specifically in the second half of the 20th century, is almost unbeaten. With his charming, accessible personality and good humor, he remains one of the most popular design legends of all times.

"Tom Tjaarda: Master of Proportions" is a comprehensive appraisal of the life of a design giant, and features all his automotive, as well as his non-automotive, designs.

Product details

Author:	Gautam Sen
Details:	472 pages, 12 x 8.5 x 1.42 in (30.5 x 21.5 x 3.6 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	823 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Dalton Watson Fine Books (USA, 2021)
ISBN:	9781854433138

Carrozzeria Allemano Torino

This book traces the story of Serafino Allemano and his coachbuilding atelier during the first fifteen to twenty years after World War II, a period when names such as Pininfarina and Bertone represented the pinnacle of Italian design.

Through a collaboration with Giovanni Michelotti and a high level of craftsmanship, Carrozzeria Allemano established itself as a leading figure in the history of Italian automotive style. The atelier produced notable vehicles including the Fiat 1100 TV Coupé, the Maserati 5000 GT, and several Abarth grand tourers of the early 1960s.

These cars reflect the esteem Allemano earned from prestigious car manufacturers in Italy and abroad. One notable collaboration with the Japanese company Prince marked a milestone, allowing Allemano to introduce Italian creativity to the Japanese market for the first time.

Richly illustrated, the book highlights the skill, innovation, and influence of Carrozzeria Allemano, celebrating its contribution to the postwar development of Italian automotive design.

Product details

Author:	Giuliano Silli
Details:	200 pages, 11.6 x 9.1 in (29.5 x 23 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Libreria ASI Service (I, 2019)
ISBN:	9788898344512

Vignale : Masterpieces of Style

Part of the Masterpieces of Style series, this book is dedicated to Vignale, the Turin-based coachbuilding atelier founded in 1946 by Alfredo Vignale.

It presents the complete output of this celebrated marque, focusing on its peak in the 1950s and 1960s. During this period, the extraordinary designer Giovanni Michelotti created numerous bodies for Ferrari chassis, including the 166 and 212 Inter, the 250, and the 340 MM.

The book also covers special Fiat models, such as the 500 and 600, as well as notable Lancia cars including the Appia and the Flavia Convertible. In addition, it examines Vignale's productive collaboration with Triumph.

Richly illustrated, this work showcases the creativity, craftsmanship, and elegance of Vignale, making it an essential reference for enthusiasts and collectors of Italian coachbuilt cars.

Product details

Author:	Luciano Greggio
Details:	208 pages, 11 x 10 x 0.91 in (28 x 25.5 x 2.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Giorgio Nada Editore (I, 2019)
ISBN:	9788879117210

Carrozzeria Motto

Rocco Motto was the coachbuilder of several famous cars, often working behind the scenes and due to that was never as famous as he deserved.
Specializing in aluminium work, both before and after WWII he coachbuilt countless sports cars which were raced successfully across Europe and America.
In the 1950s he also built some wonderful granturismos before finally moving to the emerging touring caravan and motorhome industry.
This book tells the full history of Carrozzeria Motto, illustrating it with a wide selection of pictures, often never published before.

Pages of the book "Carrozzeria Motto"

Product details

Author:	Alessandro Sannia
Details:	144 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	250+ b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Il Cammello (I, 2017)
ISBN:	9788896796535

Touring : Masterpieces of Style

From the early 1930s to the mid-1960s, Touring produced some of the most elegant and influential car bodies in automotive history. Under the guidance of Felice Bianchi Anderloni, the Milan-based atelier created models that became icons, including the Flying Star built on the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS chassis and the Isotta Fraschini 8, along with many other open and closed Alfas before World War II.

Touring became famous for its Superleggera design, combining lightweight construction with refined aerodynamics, resulting in cars of exceptional beauty and performance. After 1947, its clientele expanded to include Ferrari with the legendary 166 Barchetta, Maserati with the 3500 GT, as well as Aston Martin, Lancia, and Lamborghini.

This period of creativity ended in 1966 when Touring closed, but the brand returned 40 years later with Touring Superleggera, producing a new generation of bespoke cars.

Richly illustrated, this book traces the history of Touring, showcasing its unique approach to design, craftsmanship, and automotive elegance, making it essential reading for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Product details

Author:	Luciano Greggio
Details:	168 pages, 11.2 x 9.8 x 0.94 in (28.5 x 25 x 2.4 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	250 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Giorgio Nada Editore (I, 2017)
ISBN:	9788879116770

Carrozzeria Scioneri

Carrozzeria Scioneri is a great example of the best Italian automotive art. Established during wartime, making the little jobs available by then, specialized later in the "elaborata" cars with fashion visual-tuning, that were a huge commercial success, giving to almost everybody the opportunity of buying a special car, even if often just based on a cheap Fiat model.

Scioneri also made commercial vehicles and sports cars, but thanks to the "elaboratas" the company went ahead until the 90s.
This book, the result of a long and deep research, tells all the history of Carrozzeria Scioneri, illustrating it with a very big picture directory that cover all its production.

Product details

Author:	Alessandro Sannia
Details:	128 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	210+ b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Il Cammello (I, 2015)
ISBN:	9788896796207

Vignale - Ferrari and all the others

Alfredo Vignale was one of the most illustrious names in the Italian art of the carrozzeria. In twenty years he built countless models, from the early Ferraris to series production of Lancia, Fiat and Maserati cars. Coachbuilder, industrialist, collaborator with brands like Cunningham, Opel, Daihatsu, Jensen, Tatra, he covered the whole arc of the Italian coachbuilding industry, from the post-war boom to the crisis years of the 1960s.
This books recounts his whole personal and professional history.

Product details

Author:	Alfredo Zanellato Vignale
Details:	312 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	520 b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Il Cammello (I, 2015)
ISBN:	9788896796337

Carrozzeria Viotti

Carrozzeria Viotti has been one of the major representatives of the Italian art of making special car bodies. Founded in 1921, it always combined quality and excellence of craftsmanship with industrial working methods becoming, for a certain period, the largest Italian body-builder.

Pages of the book "Carrozzeria Viotti"

After the beginning as a luxury manufaturer of special bodies on Fiat, Lancia, Itala and Alfa Romeo chassis, it built standard serier and wonderful sport versions for the two bog Turinn-based firms; in the post-war years, invented the multi-purpose "Giardinetta" concept, helping the restart of Italian special bodies industry. Later it worked as a supplier for Lancia and built granturismos on Fiat chassis.

This book, the result of a long and deep research, tells all the history of Carrozzeria Viotti, illustrating it with a very big picture directory that cover all its production.

Product details

Author:	Alessandro Sannia
Details:	168 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	230 b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Il Cammello (I, 2012)
ISBN:	9788896796115

Carrozzeria Coriasco

In Italy, "Coriasco" refers to all light compact trucks. The coachbuilder Carrozzeria Coriasco is best known for thousands of commercial vehicles based on the Fiat 600 and 850, but it also produced many other special bodies. These included coaches, ambulances, advertising vehicles, giardinettas, elaborata models, and even a few sports cars.

This book provides a complete history of Carrozzeria Coriasco, highlighting its achievements and innovations. It features a wide selection of photographs, many of which have never been published before, showing the variety and craftsmanship of the company's work.

Aimed at enthusiasts and historians alike, the book documents the creativity and technical skill of one of Italy's most versatile coachbuilders, offering insight into both well-known and rare vehicles.

Pages of the book "Carrozzeria Coriasco"

Product details

Author:	Alessandro Sannia
Details:	108 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	220+ b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Il Cammello (I)
ISBN:	9788896796627

Moretti - Motocicletti, automobili, carrozzerie

Moretti was a big name in Italian motoring history, his activities ranging over several fields for more than sixty years. Moretti built motorcycles and three-wheelers, then worked on electric vehicles during wartime before becoming an important car-manufacturer, the fourth biggest in Italy.

Pages of the book "Moretti - Motocicletti, automobili, carrozzerie"

Finally, he was a major coachbuilder and originator of many famous models from the Grand Turismos to the small Midimaxi off-roaders.
This book, the result of a long and deep research, tells all the history of Moretti, illustrating it with a very big picture directory that cover all its production.

Product details

Author:	Alessandro Sannia
Details:	216 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	420+ b&w and color photos
Language:	bilingual (English + Italian)
Publisher:	Il Cammello (I)
ISBN:	9788896796276

La carrosserie italienne, du style au design

The art of bodywork seems naturally associated with Italy. Along with other applied arts, bodywork has reacted to the ups and downs of history by sometimes crossing artistic trends. We have played with these more or less fortuitous incidences.
From time to time, dialogues have been established between design and the plastic arts, and from time to time, resonances have been perceptible in architecture or cinema.

This broad panorama embraces the different facets of Italian bodywork, from style to design. Industrial activity, with series productions carried out by the manufacturers themselves or designed by external consultants. Coachbuilders who produced non-series productions in an artisanal way or on a more industrial scale. Designers and stylists who, at the coachbuilders, imagined unique pieces, special bodies or concept cars.
This book shows the diversity of Italian bodywork, its flirtations with the major arts and its place in the birth of industrial design.

Product details

Author:	Serge Ballu
Details:	384 pages, 11.4 x 9 in (29 x 24 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	740 b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2009)
ISBN:	9782726889251