Difference between revisions of "Coachbuilder"

Latest revision as of 14:54, 6 June 2009

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Carrozzeria

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-A '''coachbuilder''' is a manufacturer of bodies for [[carriage]]s or [[automobile]]s.
-The trade dates back several centuries. [[Rippon]] was active in the time of [[Queen Elizabeth I]], [[Barker (coachbuilder)|Barker]] founded in 1710 by an officer in [[Queen Ann]]'s Guards, [[Brewster & Co.|Brewster]] a relative newcomer (though oldest in the U.S.), formed in 1810.<ref>Georgano, G. N. ''Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930''. (London: Grange-Universal, 1985)</ref> Others included [[Hooper (coachbuilder)|Hooper]], [[H. J. Mullier]], [[Park Ward]], and [[James Young]]. In France, they were led by [[Binder (coachbuilder)|Binder]], [[Chapron]], [[Kellner (coachbuilder)|Kellner]], [[Labourdette]], [[Letourneur et Marchand]], and later [[Hibbard & Darrin]] (formed by Americans). Germany's top firms were [[Erdnamm and Rossi]], [[Gläsner]], [[Neuss (coachbuilder)|Neuss ]], and [[Papler]]. The U.S. featured [[Brunn]], [[Derham]], [[Locke]], and [[Willoughby]].<ref>Georgano.</ref>
-Initially, the skills used to build the wooden and metal bodies of vehicles was so specialized that most manufacturers procured contracts with existing coachbuilders to produce bodies for their chassis. For example, [[Fisher Body]] built all of [[Cadillac (automobile)|Cadillac]]'s closed bodies in the [[1910s]].
-As coach (and automobile) manufacturers brought body building skills in-house, the practice of custom coachbuilding gained favor among the rich. Some ultra-luxury vehicles sold as chassis only. For instance, when [[Duesenberg]] introduced their fabulous Model J, it was offered as chassis only, for $8,500. Other examples include the [[Bugatti Type 57]], [[Cadillac V-16]], [[Ferrari 250]], and all Rolls-Royces produced before World War II. Many coachbuilders became associated with famed designers, such as [[Pininfarina]] and [[Giugiaro]].
-The advent of [[unibody]] construction made custom coachbuilding impossible{{Fact|date=October 2007}} for automobiles.<!--How do you explain the Pininfarina & Giugiaro showcars, then? And the fact they build bodies for carmakers?--> Many coachbuilders were purchased by automobile manufacturers and merged with their vehicle operations. Others became contract vehicle assemblers, building niche or localized cars for larger companies.
-Coachbuilders often used native translations: ''carrozziere'' in [[Italian language|Italian]] and ''Karosserie'' in [[German language|German]].
-In reference to a [[Recreational Vehicle]] or motorhome, ''coach-built'' means a vehicle which has been purpose-built, using only a [[chassis]] as a base vehicle, as opposed to a ''conversion'' which is built inside an existing vehicle body.
-==External links==
-* [http://www.coachbuilt.com] — Encyclopedia of American Coachbuilders.
-* [http://gorving.com] - the North American RV Dealers Association site.
-==See also==
-* [[Coachwork]]
-[[Category:Coachbuilders| ]]
-[[Category:Car manufacturers| ]]

Difference between revisions of "Coachbuilder"

Latest revision as of 14:54, 6 June 2009

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