Retro Citroen Type H-bodied Relay van on sale next week

The Citroen Type H van has been paid tribute in a retro-inspired bodykit for the Citroen Relay.
Designers David Obendorfer and Fabrizio Caselani have created the body kit...
...to coincide with the famed van’s 70th anniversary. 70 examples of the fibreglass kit will be produced.
The Type H is the first of Obendorfer's concepts to be put into production.
Obendorfer said: “With the design we did not intend to copy the forms of the original model, but rather we aimed to capture the soul of the iconic vehicle...
...reinterpreting it through a nostalgic fiberglass “suit” which at the same time is deeply rooted in contemporary style.”
...combined with the reliability and the technological content of the current Citroën Relay series.”
Obendorfer has also imagined other concepts, like this Abarth 127.
The Abarth 127 also has a non-sporting counterpart in the Fiat 127, also imagined by Obendorfer.
Obendorfer has also reimagined the Volkswagen Type 1 Transporter.
Fiat appears to be a firm favourite of Obendorfer; he's designed a modern day Fiat 600, complete with Abarth variant.
Obendorfer's CS Vintage concept revival pays tribute to the 1965 BMW 2000 CS, as well as the 1968 BMW E9.
Obendorfer's re-imagination of the Renault 4 was entered into a design competition launched by the brand.
Not all of Obendorfer's concepts are limited by reality; he's created the Fiat 500 coupé and convertible concepts.

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2 mins read

9 May 2017

The Citroën Type H-inspired body kit for the Citroën Relay van goes on sale on 15 May, at a price of €42,900 (around £36,076), ready-installed.

Vans pre-installed with the kits will be available to order through Caselani Automobili, the designers' company, and are available in both left and right-hand-drive, in minibus and panel van designs. The next design planned for production by the pair is the more rugged 4x4 version, which is coming in September. The camper, tow truck and food truck are planned for release from December.

Those interested can reserve a build slot by placing a deposit of €3000 (around £2522) within five days of having sent an expression of interest, with design renderings sent based on customer specifications within 2 months of expressing interest. The buyer then has two weeks to make up their mind, and pay a 40% deposit to secure their vehicle. Delivery will then usually take place within a week. None of the deposits taken are refundable.

Designers David Obendorfer and Fabrizio Caselani have created the body kit to coincide with the famed Type H van’s 70th anniversary. The pair plan to expand their business into retrofitting vans with the kits from 2018 onwards, while the following year, the kit will be made available as a standalone, orderable product. Compatible vans for conversion and the kit are the Citroën Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato from 2006 onwards, and the 2013 Ram Promaster.

It’s not the first concept Obendorfer has created; his work includes tribute models to numerous well-known classics from automotive history, such as the Fiat 600, Renault 4 and Volkswagen T1, as well as concepts for a coupé and sports convertible version of the Fiat 500. The Type H kit is the first to be put into production, though.

Obendorfer said: “With the design we did not intend to copy the forms of the original model, but rather we aimed to capture the soul of the iconic vehicle, reinterpreting it through a nostalgic fibreglass 'suit' which at the same time is deeply rooted in contemporary style.

“The Type H 70th Anniversary Van is a fusion of direct references to the predecessor with modern solutions, combined with the reliability and the technological content of the current Citroën Relay series.”