Italian coachbuilder Castagna is at it again with a new version of their MINI wagon that first reared its head a few years back. They debuted several new designs at the recent Geneva Motor Show and the UK magazine, Classic Driver has all the details:
>Castagna, the Milanese coachbuilders who brought us the ‘Woody’ MINIs, have been up to their stylish tricks again. In addition to the Imperial Landaulet Concept, this year they have produced the ultimate toy for the big boy’s yachts at St Trop and Monaco – the ‘Tender’. There were also examples of the ‘Crossup’ and last year’s ‘Woody’ on display.
>The exterior of this custom-built car, based on the Mini Cabrio, features new proportions and technical solutions. The car is streamlined, with a fixed-access compartment with anti-theft bars in place of the normal doors. Like in some luxury boats, the rear is lengthened by 70 cm to make a convenient ‘working space’. A completely teak-clad ‘beach baby’ that can be “armed†to give you everything you need for your seafaring life. You can toss in your scuba equipment or your golf clubs, or just give a lift to a bunch of buddies.
[ Castagna at Geneva 2006 ] Classic Driver
And for all those that are relatively new to the MINI, you can check out our previous coverage of Castagna’s MINI coachbuilding below:
Related:
[ Carrozeria Castagnas New MINI Offerings ] MotoringFile
[ Castagna MINI Wagon in Depth ] MotoringFile
[ Castagna to Produce Off-Road MINI ] MotoringFile
[ The MINI Wagon from Italy ] MotoringFile
liked the tender until I saw the back. The interior is nice but a little much for me. If you got the money, why not?
Wow. I showed the pics of the green thing to my fiancee– Her response was, “Ick.” I couldn’t have said it any better myself.
I agree with the first post, the interior is actually pretty nice.
One is kinda Mini Moke-ish the other Subaru Brat-ish. Neither for me but then I like eggs.
They are like bad-dream Jollys and Brats; one is mebbe a piccolo clown-car, the other is just a sausage.
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
Is there any sense for how many of the cars that Castagna actually sells? How many of the “woodies” were sold last year?
I thought the CrossUp concept had some merit, (as far as functionality). I still think in general, all things Castagna are ugly.
But the wheel choices for both these concepts were horrid. They look like, dare I say it, “Steel Wheels”. Aacccck! Oh the humanity!
A coachbuilder using what is the wheel equivalent to flip-flops on his cars? Put some decent alloys on there, at least! My God, man!!!
The cross-up is intresting, but wow, the Imperial Landaulet is a sweet looking ride. And the fact that it was once a MINI, wow. I had to read the article multiple times to make sure.