One-off cars commissioned by VIP people When coachbuilders were like tailors

The history of custom-made cars, commissioned by invariably affluent clients, can be divided into three major chapters. Initially, coachbuilders enjoyed absolute creative freedom, free from any design constraints. This golden age spanned the pre- and immediate post-war years. The second chapter saw the dawn of industrial production, marked by the rise of monocoque construction, yet still relatively unshackled by regulatory and safety norms. The third chapter, which arrives right up to the present day, is defined by rigorous homologation rules for any cars that are transformed. These regulations are so stringent, they significantly limit and complicate any alterations to a car's bodywork.