Caselani transforms Citroën Ami into retro Type H

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Italian tuner Caselani showcased a prototype of an Ami disguised as an old Type H van at the 2CV 24H race at Spa-Francorchamps. The concept was meant to remain a concept. But reactions were so overwhelming that the company decided to offer it as part of its portfolio.

From movies by Wes Anderson to food trucks at festivals, everybody knows the old Type H van from Citroën, also dubbed HY. The pig nose and the boxy styling, accompanied by the rippled flanks, turned this light commercial vehicle into an icon almost matching the legend of the 2CV.

Unveiled at Retromobile

For carmakers, retro serves well to sell all-electric cars (Renault R5 E-Tech, Ioniq 5, Fiat Grande Panda), a trend that didn’t go unnoticed at Caselani. The Italian coachbuilder already offered conversion kits for morphing a Berlingo into a 2CV Fourgonette and is now adding a similar package for the microcar Ami to its range. It’s the first battery-powered endeavor from Caselani.

Introducing the Type-Ami, a charming retro-styled urban EV inspired by the classic Citroën HY van, produced between 1947 and 1981.

Unveiled at the Retromobile trade fair in Paris, this conversion kit adds a unique, corrugated-metal aesthetic to the Ami. As such, it channels a bygone era of French utility vehicles for which the Paris show served as a fitting podium.

Fiberglass body kit

David Obendorfer designed the Type-Ami, which is transformed through a fiberglass body kit. The kit mimics the look of the original HY but keeps the Ami’s structure largely intact. The kit includes new front and rear aprons, door panels, and an updated front fascia featuring an oversized Citroën logo. Distinctive round headlights serve as a finishing Fibergl touch.

It’s genuinely a DIY kit. For 4,400 euros, you can order it disassembled and unpainted as a box of parts for your next hobby project. A painted version in nine standard colors costs 660 euros extra. Those with less time on their hands or inferior mechanic skills can choose Caselani to do all the work and pay them 6,040 euros.

Unhanged mechanics

The Ami’s interior, powertrain, and mechanical components remain unchanged, meaning the  6-kW electric motor and 5.5-kWh battery continue to deliver a top speed of 45 km/h and a range of up to 75 km. Some options, like an opening hood (€ 1,200) or eco-leather (€ 620), are added.

Caselani is only accepting pre-orders for now, as final negotiations with Citroën regarding distribution and licensing are ongoing. The additional bodywork might make the Ami slightly longer, heavier, and marginally less efficient due to increased aerodynamic drag and weight.

However, given the car’s modest power output and urban-focused purpose, these changes are expected to have minimal real-world impact.