by Turning a humble van into a head-turner takes vision, and a bit of nostalgia doesn’t hurt either. Italian coachbuilder Caselani has shown time and again that utility vehicles can wear vintage styling just as well as any classic coupe. The company’s latest project brings the spirit of the 1960s Fiat 616N back to life, this time wrapped around a modern Fiat Ducato platform.
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The transformation is more than skin-deep, with the Ducato’s exterior completely reimagined to channel the charm of its mid-century predecessor. The design comes from David Obendorfer, who also styled Caselani’s earlier Citroen-inspired retro vans, including the Jumper, Spacetourer, Berlingo, and Ami.
Nostalgia Meets Utility
Classic cues define the revamped 616N: round headlights and taillights, a vintage-style hood, and curved lines tracing the front and rear fenders. These shapes recall the original Fiat 615 and 616 vans built during the 1950s and 60s. While the upper body, roof, and greenhouse remain largely unchanged from the donor Ducato, they integrate smoothly with the redesigned panels. Inside, the layout and mechanical foundations are also retained from the base vehicle.
Caselani has released renderings and a short video showcasing the first two builds, which have been configured as campervans. The conversion kit won’t be limited to campers, though. Variants will also include vans, box trucks, and tow trucks, each with its own tailored modifications. Customers can choose from nine single-tone and three two-tone paint finishes, adding more flexibility for personalization.
Caselani
Under the hood lies a 2.2-liter Multijet turbodiesel engine that is available in three different states of tune, producing 120 hp, 140 hp, and 180 hp. For those leaning toward electrification, the all-electric Fiat E-Ducato variant is also likely to be compatible. That version delivers 268 horsepower through a single motor, backed by a substantial 110 kWh battery pack.
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While the Fiat Ducato is the most fitting option for a donor vehicle, the kit will most likely be compatible with its siblings, including the Citroen Jumper, Peugeot Boxer, Opel Movano, Toyota ProAce Max, Iveco Super Jolly, and Ram ProMaster. After all, the aforementioned vans have identical underpinnings, interior, and body panels with the exception of the grille and badges.
The Caselani 616N will make its public debut at the Caravan Salon 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany, on August 29. Pricing has not been made public, but the model is already listed on the official website of the Italian coachbuilder.
