| Short history of coachbuilding (1st era) |
 Rolls-Royce rolling chassis In the early motoring days, when series production did not yet exist, the process of acquiring a new vehicle was more complex, as rolling chassis provided the basis for different coachbuilding scenarios. One approached a chassis motoring brand, who used to deliver to the customer only the rolling chassis, comprising: - chassis - drivetrain (engine, gearbox, differential, axles, wheels) - suspension - steering system - radiator  Noticeable fact is that the radiator was the only visual element identifying the rolling chassis brand.  Subsequently the customer approached a coachbuilder, requesting a personal body design to be fitted on the purchased rolling chassis.  Sometimes a coachbuilder himself ordered or got assigned a series of chassis, on which basis he designed and manufactured to his own creative ideas and inspiration the new coachwork(s).  Third scenario was the situation in which a customer delivered a complete factory car to the coachbuilder with the request to change the entire coachwork or modify certain elements. Underpinnings and especially the radiator (as main visible part determining the brand identity!) were discriminating starting points for the final coachwork design.  Each coachbuilt car therefore carried the technical genes of the rolling chassis builder as well as the styling genes of the coachbuilder. The resulting wide range of DNA combinations led to a variety of unique and sometimes priceless coachbuilt cars.  Delahaye did not have an in-house coachbuilding department; all chassis created by Delahaye were subsequently delivered to independent coachbuilders for completion.  Bugatti produced separate rolling chassis as well as complete coachworked cars, offering the customer the choice to obtain a “Molsheim” body (the most beautiful versions designed by Jean Bugatti) or to select him/herself an external (independent) coachbuilder for a fully personalised body.   See the coachbuilders gallery for a continuously expanding overview. |
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Specialist links
| Barchetta.cc |
| Conceptcarz.com |
| Madle.org |
| Supercars.net |
| Ultimatecarpage.com |
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