Karrosseringar

Karrosseringar is the Swedish term for the construction, design, and fitting of automobile bodies, encompassing the exterior shell, interior framework, and the interface with the chassis and drivetrain. Historically, the term refers to the craft of coachbuilding: independent workshops that built bespoke bodies on a rolling chassis supplied by automobile manufacturers.

From the early 20th century to the mid-20th century, coachbuilders produced a wide range of styles, from luxury sedans to sport coupés, with each customer able to choose shapes, materials, and finishes. The practice declined as mass-produced unibody cars and standardized bodies became dominant, reducing the appeal of custom bodies and leading to the consolidation or closure of many coachbuilding firms.

Today most car bodies are manufactured as integral unibody structures by the vehicle manufacturer. However, boutique brands and restorers still employ coachbuilders for limited-run, high-end projects or restoration work. Modern karrosseringar emphasize computational design, aerodynamics, crash safety, weight reduction, and the use of advanced materials such as aluminum, high-strength steel, and carbon fiber, often produced with stamping, welding, bonding, and painting processes.

While the craft is less common than in the past, karrosseringar remains a marker of automotive heritage and customization. In classic car culture, original coachbuilt bodies contribute to originality and value, and modern interpretations occasionally emerge through collaborative editions.