Bespoke Coach Building Services

Coachbuilding – The Origins of Luxury

In the Golden Age of the automobile, the world’s most opulent vehicles were sold as chassis alone, awaiting the artistry of bespoke coachbuilders. Icons like the Duesenberg Model J, Bugatti Type 57, Cadillac V-16, and Ferrari 250 began as raw potential, their bodies crafted to perfection by master carrossiers. Delahaye, for example, had no in-house coachwork, relying instead on independent ateliers such as Chapron, Labourdette, Franay, Saoutchik, and the legendary Figoni et Falaschi to adorn its chassis in breathtaking forms. Before World War II, these masterpieces ruled the roads, each creation a singular work of art. But the post-war era brought mass production, where luxury chassis, sports cars, and grand tourers were built whole, body and soul, within factory walls. Consequently, many great coachbuilders faded into history, while renowned design houses like Zagato, Frua, Bertone, Karmann, and Pininfarina either transformed or disappeared entirely.

Coachbuilders – The Great Artisans

In the parlance of British motoring, a “coachbuilt body” speaks to the craft and elegance of a custom creation. In North America, it’s known as a “custom body,” while in France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, the terms carrossiers, carrozzeria, Karosseriebauer, and carroceros evoke the same legacy of artisanship. These master coachbuilders once fashioned bodies for the elite—carriages for horsepower, later automobiles for the connoisseur. With the advent of unibody or monocoque construction in the mid-20th century, the age of the separate coachbuilt body drew to a close. Chassis and body became one, and the role of the coachbuilder was, for a time, consigned to history.

Imagine the Impossible

Now, after decades in the shadows, coachbuilding has returned, a renaissance of creativity and craftsmanship. Niels van Roij Design offers you the opportunity to commission the vehicle of your dreams, disrupting the ordinary and crafting the extraordinary. Picture butterfly-wing doors, engineered specifically for your handcrafted car, or any other audacious statement that reflects your vision. Our bespoke creations are meticulously handmade in our ateliers across The Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Every detail, from the exterior form to the interior refinement, is a testament to your unique taste. It begins with an idea—a vision. You, the patron, ignite the genesis of your one-of-a-kind motorcar, often with a collector’s discerning eye. A deep and intimate collaboration emerges between you and Niels van Roij Design, a process as bespoke and refined as the car itself. This journey towards a truly unique masterpiece is yours to command.