Caselani

Caselani, also known as Caselani Automobili, is an Italian coachbuilding and vehicle-conversion brand specializing in handcrafted retro-style bodies and modification kits for contemporary Citroën vehicles. Its work combines modern donor vehicles, current safety and mechanical standards, and exterior designs that recall historically important Citroën models, particularly the Type H van and the 2CV Fourgonnette. The company operates from workshops in Sospiro in northern Italy and presents its products as an expression of Italian coachbuilding craft rather than as mass-market vehicle production. The brand originated from the personal interest of Fabrizio Caselani, a Citroën enthusiast and collector who regularly traveled across Europe in a historic Citroën HY. He sought a vehicle that could provide the practicality and safety of a modern commercial van while retaining the distinctive visual character of the older model. Caselani subsequently worked with designer David Obendorfer on a transformation based on the Citroën Jumper. The project was developed over more than a year and was associated with the seventieth anniversary of the original Type H in 2017. Caselani's first major offering was a kit that transformed the appearance of a modern Citroën Jumper into a contemporary interpretation of the Type H. The conversion generally uses fiberglass-reinforced polyester exterior panels, a model-specific front section, circular headlights, a grille, Citroën-inspired chevrons, wiring and mounting components. Depending on the vehicle and configuration, panels are attached to the sides, rear and roof, while the front end is partly dismantled and replaced with Caselani-specific components. The underlying vehicle remains a modern commercial van, allowing the conversion to serve personal, business and specialist applications. In 2018, Caselani extended the concept to the Citroën Jumpy and Spacetourer through the Type HG program. The name connects the vehicles with the historical Type H and Type G design language. The range has included configurations for open or glazed bodies, different wheelbase and roof combinations, food trucks, camper vans and tow trucks. Customers can also select from a defined group of colors and accessories intended to reinforce the period-inspired appearance. The company later broadened its historical references beyond the Type H. In 2022, it presented a conversion for the Citroën Berlingo that reinterpreted the 2CV Fourgonnette, with production planned for 2023. The Berlingo conversion uses corrugated-looking body surfaces on areas including the sides, rear and roof, and is assembled and painted by hand in Caselani's Italian workshops. The project was developed with the involvement of Citroën designers, linking the independent coachbuilder's work with the design heritage of the Citroën brand. In 2024, Caselani introduced the Type Ami concept for the Citroën Ami electric quadricycle. The re-bodied vehicle applies Type H-inspired details such as round headlights, prominent chevrons and a projecting central front treatment to a very small electric platform. Two brightly colored prototypes were shown in Belgium in October 2024 during events surrounding the 24 Hours 2CV. Across its portfolio, Caselani's proposition is based on personalization, nostalgia and low-volume craftsmanship: it does not replace the modern donor vehicle's identity mechanically, but reshapes its exterior to evoke recognizable Citroën utility and passenger vehicles from the past.

Caselani developed from Fabrizio Caselani's enthusiasm for historic Citroën vehicles. He owned and traveled in a Citroën HY, but wanted a modern vehicle that would be more appropriate for family travel while preserving the older van's distinctive visual character. This objective became the basis for a new type of coachbuilding project: rather than restoring a historic vehicle, Caselani would adapt a current Citroën platform with a new exterior inspired by the past. For the first project, Caselani collaborated with designer David Obendorfer. Their work was influenced by the legacy of Italian designer Flaminio Bertoni, whose Citroën designs included the Traction Avant, 2CV, DS and Ami 6. The partners spent more than a year developing a transformation for the Citroën Jumper. The result was introduced in 2017, in connection with the seventieth anniversary of the Type H, and gave the modern van a strongly retro-styled front and body treatment. The Type H conversion established Caselani's characteristic technical approach. Exterior elements include fiberglass-reinforced polyester panels, circular headlights, a new grille and chevrons, electrical components, painted or chromed trim and fastening hardware. The front of the donor vehicle is partly disassembled to receive a dedicated Caselani front section, while other panels are fitted over or onto the original body. The work changes the vehicle's visual identity without turning it into a mechanically historic vehicle. In February 2018, Caselani expanded its offer with the Type HG kit for the Citroën Jumpy and Spacetourer. This extended the retro design idea to smaller vans and people carriers. The company has offered adaptations for both private and professional purposes, including glazed and unglazed bodies, different length and height configurations, food trucks, camper vans and tow trucks. Color and accessory choices further support the period-inspired design. The company subsequently applied its method to the Citroën Berlingo. A kit unveiled in October 2022 reinterpreted the 2CV Fourgonnette, with availability planned from January 2023. Corrugated visual treatments were applied to the sides, rear and, depending on the version, roof. The parts were assembled by hand at Caselani's Sospiro workshops, with the bodywork elements rolled or formed from fiberglass-reinforced polyester before final painting. The Berlingo project also involved Citroën designers. In 2024, Caselani moved into the small electric-vehicle field with the Type Ami, a re-bodied Citroën Ami quadricycle. The design reused the company's familiar visual vocabulary, including round lamps, large chevrons, a projecting front treatment and details recalling the historical HY. Two prototypes in vivid colors were shown in Belgium on October 19 and 20, 2024, near Spa-Francorchamps during the 24 Hours 2CV weekend. Caselani's documented development therefore runs from a single Type H-inspired van conversion to a broader portfolio of low-volume, hand-finished reinterpretations based on modern Citroën vehicles.

• 2024

  Type Ami prototypes displayed

  [1]Caselanien.wikipedia.org

  Two Type Ami prototypes based on the Citroën Ami were shown in Belgium during events around the 24 Hours 2CV.

• 2023

  Planned Berlingo conversion availability

  [1]Caselanien.wikipedia.org

  The Berlingo-based Fourgonnette conversion was scheduled to become available from January 2023.

• 2022

  Berlingo Fourgonnette conversion unveiled

  [1]Caselanien.wikipedia.org

  Caselani presented a body conversion inspired by the 2CV Fourgonnette for the Citroën Berlingo.

• 2018

  Type HG program introduced

  [1]Caselanien.wikipedia.org

  A new kit extended Caselani's retro conversion approach to the Citroën Jumpy and Spacetourer.

• 2017

  First Type H-inspired Jumper conversion

  [1]Caselanien.wikipedia.org

  Caselani introduced its first major conversion kit, transforming the appearance of the modern Citroën Jumper to recall the historic Type H.

An Italian specialist coachbuilder offering handcrafted, nostalgia-led body conversions that combine contemporary Citroën platforms with reinterpretations of historic Citroën utility-vehicle styling.

• Commercial-vehicle conversion kit · 2017

  Type H

  Caselani's original major conversion program, based on the Citroën Jumper. It replaces or overlays selected exterior components with fiberglass-reinforced polyester panels and a dedicated front treatment inspired by the Citroën Type H. The range can support personal and commercial uses, including glazed or open configurations, different body dimensions and specialist formats such as camper vans, food trucks and tow trucks.

• Passenger- and light-commercial-vehicle conversion kit · 2018

  Type HG

  Introduced for the Citroën Jumpy and Spacetourer, the Type HG applies Caselani's historic Citroën-inspired styling to smaller vehicles than the Jumper. The name links the concept to the Type H and Type G references. Its components include retro-styled body panels, front-end parts, lighting-related hardware, trim and installation elements.

• Compact-van conversion kit · 2023

  Fourgonnette

  A conversion for the Citroën Berlingo that reinterprets the 2CV Fourgonnette of the 1950s. The body treatment uses corrugated-looking surfaces on the sides, rear and roof where applicable. Caselani describes the production process as artisanal, with components assembled, finished and painted by hand in its Italian workshops.

• Electric quadricycle body conversion · 2024

  Type Ami

  A re-bodied version of the Citroën Ami electric quadricycle. The design evokes the Citroën HY through circular headlights, pronounced chevrons, a projecting front treatment, small round mirrors and period-style detailing. Prototypes were displayed in vivid colors in Belgium in 2024.

• Vehicle conversion

  4PE

  A Caselani model name listed among the company's vehicle offerings. Detailed specifications and launch information are not established in the supplied reference material.

• Vehicle conversion

  616N

  A Caselani model name listed among the company's vehicle offerings. Detailed specifications and launch information are not established in the supplied reference material.

• 2024

  Move into electric quadricycle customizationProduct launch

  Background

  Caselani applied its nostalgic body-conversion approach to Citroën's small electric Ami quadricycle.

  Action taken

  The company developed the Type Ami, a re-bodied Ami with exterior cues derived from the historic HY, and displayed two prototypes in Belgium.

  Aftermath

  The prototype presentation demonstrated that Caselani's styling concept could be applied to a compact electric platform as well as commercial vans.

  Source

• 2022

  Decision to reinterpret the 2CV FourgonnetteProduct launch

  Background

  After developing Type H-inspired commercial-vehicle conversions, Caselani selected the Berlingo as a platform for a different historic Citroën utility-vehicle reference.

  Action taken

  The company unveiled a Berlingo kit styled after the 2CV Fourgonnette and developed the project with Citroën designers.

  Aftermath

  The conversion was planned for launch in January 2023 and expanded Caselani's retro portfolio beyond Type H styling.

  Source

• 2018

  Expansion into Jumpy and Spacetourer conversionsProduct launch

  Background

  The company extended its retro coachbuilding proposition beyond the Jumper to smaller vans and people carriers.

  Action taken

  Caselani launched the Type HG kit for the Citroën Jumpy and Spacetourer.

  Aftermath

  The move broadened the range of donor vehicles and use cases available under the Caselani concept.

  Source

• 2017

  Launch of the Type H-inspired Jumper programProduct launch

  Background

  Caselani sought to combine the practicality and contemporary safety of a modern van with the appearance of a historic Citroën HY or Type H.

  Action taken

  The company introduced a handcrafted exterior conversion for the Citroën Jumper, using dedicated front-end components and retro-styled body panels.

  Aftermath

  The program became the foundation of Caselani's identity and was followed by conversions for smaller Citroën vehicles and other historic design references.

  Source

1. 1Caselanien.wikipedia.org