Throughout most of automotive history, coachbuilders have operated alongside automakers. In essence, the marque/coachbuilder relationship has always been one of mutual benefit. Simplified, that relationship involved a coachbuilder procuring something like a chassis from an automaker, and then sculpting a unique body and interior around it. Some notable models that exemplify the process are the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, which was designed by Carrozzeria Zagato in Italy. Also, the line of reimagined Porsche 911s by a company called Singer is also well-known.
We typically think of countries like Italy, England, and, to a lesser extent, the United States when coachbuilders come to mind. Germany, however, is suspiciously absent from that list. That's because the country's most famous independently operated coachbuilder, Karmann, is no longer around. It was in business for well over a century, and only bowed out about a decade ago. Since its departure, Germany has been left without a famous coachbuilder, and, as of this writing, nobody has stepped up to fill the gap.
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