In the shimmering world of classic cars, some people admire them. Others collect them. And a few; very few—quietly dedicate themselves to understanding and preserving the stories behind them. Andreas Scheidl is one of those few.
A German-Italian based in Italy, Scheidl is the founder and curator of Carrozzieri-Italiani.com, a digital platform dedicated to the history, artistry, and cultural legacy of Italian coachbuilders. It’s a site born of personal passion but guided by the discipline of a researcher, the curiosity of a collector, and the precision of a designer.
We connected with Andreas over FaceTime one afternoon, his backdrop lined with books, scale models, and vintage automotive posters. He was thoughtful, articulate, and above all, quietly driven by the belief that this piece of automotive history—this uniquely Italian tradition—deserves to be both protected and shared.
“Even as a kid, I was more interested in the design of cars than the engines,” he says with a smile. “The proportions, the detailing, the way Italian coachbuilders played with volume and line—that stuck with me.”
Building a Digital Archive with Soul
At first, Carrozzieri-Italiani.com was just a personal tool; an organized space to track information about coachbuilders, many of whom were barely documented online. But what began as a side project quickly turned into something more substantial.
Today, the site is a comprehensive and growing archive, home to profiles on dozens of carrozzerie, timelines, designer spotlights, concours results, and curated news. There’s also a YouTube channel, a visual archive, and plans for multilingual expansion. The content is carefully sourced, updated frequently, and enriched by an expanding network of contributors—historians, enthusiasts, designers, and collectors.
“I didn’t set out to be the authority on Italian coachbuilding,” Andreas explains. “The idea was to build a foundation. Something serious, structured, and reliable—open enough for enthusiasts, but deep enough for researchers.”
It’s a goal he’s clearly achieving. What stands out about the platform isn’t just the breadth of information; it’s the clarity. Visitors aren’t hit with flashy branding or empty clickbait. Instead, they find a focused, intelligent space where timeless design is treated with the respect it deserves.
A Seat at the Jury Table
Andreas involvement in the automotive world goes beyond the screen. He’s a regular jury member at Concours d’Elegance events, including the prestigious Classic Gala Schwetzingen in Germany and the Città di Mantova Concours in Italy. These events bring together the rarest and most impeccably restored vehicles from across the globe, and judges are chosen not for celebrity, but for knowledge.
“Judging at a concours is about more than looks,” he says. “It’s understanding design lineage, craftsmanship, historical context. That’s where it overlaps so strongly with what I do through the website.”
Behind the Scenes with Michelotti
Among the many highlights of Scheidl’s journey so far, one stands out with particular emotional weight: a visit to the private archive of Giovanni Michelotti, the prolific designer behind countless icons of mid-century automotive design. For Andreas, who counts Michelotti as a personal hero, the experience was unforgettable
“To see the original sketches, notes, the spirit of the work—that’s a kind of connection you don’t get from books or screens,” he reflects. “And speaking with his son, Edgardo, brought a level of personal context that deepened everything I thought I knew.”
Moments like this fuel the urgency behind Carrozzieri-Italiani.com. As older archives risk disappearing into obscurity or private ownership, Andreas is working to make sure that the history they contain doesn’t disappear with them.
Preserving What Others Guard
Of course, not everyone in the classic car world is eager to open the vaults. Some collectors and historians remain protective of their archives, worried that publicly available knowledge could undercut their authority—or financial value.
Scheidl understands, but he sees things differently.
“There’s room for both,” he says. “We’re not trying to take the place of experts or consultants. In fact, we often send people their way. But the idea that history belongs only to a few—it doesn’t sit right with me.”
That philosophy has earned him support from institutions like Pininfarina, the ASI Bertone Collection, and Museo Nicolis, as well as from passionate individuals who trust him to represent their stories with accuracy and care.
Offline and in the Community
Andreas is also active beyond the screen, helping organize conferences and events, particularly through Club 8Volanti Tazio Nuvolari in Mantua. These real-world gatherings bring together designers, historians, restorers, and enthusiasts to discuss the ongoing relevance of Italian design.
“Seeing people of all ages discuss a car like it’s a sculpture—it’s powerful,” he says. “Coachbuilding is about more than aesthetics. It’s about identity, culture, and imagination.”
These events are part of a broader mission to make design history something people can engage with; not just read about.
A Living Tradition
When asked whether Italian coachbuilding is a thing of the past, Scheidl doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s evolved, but it’s not gone,” he says. “The days of dozens of small ateliers may be over, but firms like Zagato, Touring Superleggera, and Pininfarina are still creating stunning one-offs and limited-run cars. Even major manufacturers are embracing bespoke programs that follow the spirit of coachbuilding.”
In other words, the tools may be different, but the mindset lives on: design that’s personal, experimental, and driven by beauty over mass appeal.
What’s Next
Andreas vision for Carrozzieri-Italiani.com continues to grow. He’s working on expanding the concours database, enriching designer profiles, adding in restoration timelines, and developing long-form video content. There are plans for interviews, deeper archival exploration, and even print collaborations.
“I want this to be more than a site—it’s a living archive,” he says. “Not a museum, but a place that evolves. A platform where the past can inform the present and the future.”
A Continuing Journey
In an era of disposable content and forgotten heritage, Carrozzieri-Italiani.com stands out as a labor of love, clarity, and conviction. It’s a place where timeless design is not only preserved, but celebrated; and where one person’s quiet dedication is helping shape the way we remember, research, and reimagine automotive history.
As long as there are stories to uncover, silhouettes to study, and generations still inspired by elegance and craft, Andreas Scheidl will be there; cataloging, connecting, and carrying coachbuilding into the digital age.
