01 Mar 06
There's another Imperial in Geneva, the Chrysler, but this one's an Italian job.
Created using Porsche Cayenne mechanicals, the Castagna Imperial Landaulet has been inspired by the Grand Touring cars of the 20s and 30s, but specifically the special-bodied versions of Isotta Fraschini models created by the original Castagna coachbuilders.
Athough currently a non-running show car, a fully-functional prototype - with an 800bhp V12 - is said to be under preparation for a debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this summer.
The Carozzerria Castagna of Milan has a history dating back to 1878, having started out making luxury horse-drawn carriages. Between 1920 and 1930, it built limousines and two-seaters based on Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz chassis, its clients including members of the Italian aristocracy and American magnate William Randolph Hearst. It also made the coachwork for most Isotta Fraschini vehicles, including the Coupe de Ville featured in the film Sunset Boulevard and it worked with Duesenberg. Post-World War II, the company faded from view, but it has rebuilt its reputation with contract work and prototype-building for manufacturers, in addition to making one-off vehicles to request.
Castagna put itself back on the radar last year with a series of concept cars, notably its bespoke-build Mini estates. It has also showcased cars based on Alfa Romeo, Maserati and even Ferrari underpinnings, for the type of buyers who find an Enzo just too common.
