Classic three-wheeler reimagined as modern van

The restomod wave does not seem to be peaking anytime soon, and there has been recent movement in the light commercial vehicle sector. 

We have covered the work of Italian coachbuilder Caselani before, most notably with the classic 1950s Citroen HY and 2CV van. The next such example feels even more fitting given its Italian roots: the Piaggio Porter.

Specifically, the base is a Porter NP6 or NPE truck produce today with both ICE and electric powertrains in a range of bed configurations (flatbed, cargo, etc.) and the Caselani team has taken inspiration from the classic Piaggio Ape three-wheeler. You know the one. The name in fact stems from the Italian word for bee, dovetailing with the Vespa (‘wasp’) scooter, and is a metaphor for being light, agile and able to zip around like a worker bee.

In taking a doner car with modern underpinnings, the team has created retrofit bodywork that can be applied either at the Caselani factory or remotely. The conversion is fairly extensive, with new fenders, bumpers, grille, fibreglass body panels, and headlights courtesy of Hella and Giantlight. Images shared with CDN show a direct comparison of the two with a very different face but also more subtle touches like body coloured handles and no bump strip along the door side.

Panel gaps have been eliminated through a one-piece design, with much cleaner surfacing as a result. The shoulder line remains where it is, but has been softened and thanks to the repositioned headlamps can now wrap around to meet the shutline of the bonnet. Even the steel wheels have been rethought, a tweak of the modern Porter’s existing design. Body coloured – or even better, raw metal stemmed – door mirrors would have been a nice addition in a nod to the original Ape, which first launched in 1948.

Design was once again led by former yacht designer David Obendorfer, who told Car Design News that the approach is in fact less ‘restomod’ and more ‘neo-retro’. There is a key distinction, he explains: “In the late 1990s/early 2000s, during the era of the VW New Beetle/Ford Thunderbird, it was a hugely impactful phenomenon – but only in terms of design. Then, models that could be taken seriously – the BMW Mini, Fiat 500 – gave credibility to neo-retro.” His point is that neo-retro does not simply mean making new cars look old.

“I find neo-retro exciting because it's influenced by even futuristic visions,” he continues. “Restomod is more tied to the past. It's more respectful but less risky stylistically, because it primarily upgrades the car technologically. New engines, modern suspension, cutting-edge LED headlights, but it rarely significantly modifies the original body. Neo-retro leaves more room for personal interpretation and even further evolution over time.” But he does add that “most restomod cars are really cool” as well.

The Piaggio van was “a little unusual” compared to previous projects, according to Obendorfer. The obvious issue is that this modern four-wheel van had to carry design cues from a three-wheeler. And that meant getting extra creative. 

“Given the significant architectural difference, we focused more on evocative details to create an overall nostalgic feel,” he explains. “The central volume that groups the air intakes is a playful element, somewhat reminiscent of the central front wheel of the classic Ape.” Indeed, the protruding intake in contrast black does look like a tyre from a distance. It’s nicely integrated.

The design process began after some conventional pen sketches to ideate how all this could come together. From there, work began in the digital world with 3D surfacing through Rhino. “I have to consider both the stylistic ideas and the architecture of the basic vehicle simultaneously, which poses certain constraints,” notes Obendorfer. “I try to capture and revisit the essence of the character of vintage vehicles. This often requires somewhat unpredictable choices, as I have to adapt everything to an existing mechanical base.”

As things stand, Caselani finds most of its business across Europe, particularly in France – understandable given its two now-mature Citroen projects — plus the more recent Citroen Ami edition. The plan is to expand further and tap markets in the US and Japan, “following the growth of interest in retro vehicles, especially in those converted into food trucks,” the company tells us. 

The Type H in ‘foodtruck’ spec is currently the best selling product in Caselani’s portfolio, with 70% of those conversions taking place at the Italian factory. Things are clearly looking good for the company but more broadly the resto/neo-retro space. 

Add ‘continumod’ to the mix and we are going to have to think of a new collective noun.