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When Wedge had the Edge
by Gautam Sen
Click here for sample pages
When the 1968 Paris Motor Show opened a surreal wedge-shaped sculpture of steel, glass, and layers of scaly metal astounded showgoers with its daring shape and extraordinary form. The Alfa Romeo Carabo was an exercise in lateral thinking at just about every level. With headlamps covered by retractable slats and doors that opened, for the first time ever, with a scissor action, the Carabo rewrote the rules of automobile design, kickstarting an avalanche of extreme wedge forms—a trend that remained in vogue for the best part of the next two decades.
A bold departure from traditional automotive design, captivating the imagination with futuristic aesthetics and aerodynamic efficiency, the wedge style represented a paradigm shift in automotive aesthetics, emphasizing sharp lines, low profiles, and angular contours. The wedge shape, characterized by a sharply tapered front end that widens towards the rear, was not merely a stylistic choice but a reflection of advancements in aerodynamics and engineering. By minimizing drag and improving stability at high speeds, these cars demonstrated a commitment to performance and efficiency.
Iconic examples like the Alfa Romeo Carabo, Ferrari Modulo, Lancia Strato's Zero and the Maserati Boomerang, as well as series production cars such as the De Tomaso Pantera, Lamborghini Countach, and the Lotus Esprit, epitomized the wedge design ethos, captivating enthusiasts and shaping perceptions of automotive style for generations to come. Their striking silhouettes became synonymous with speed, power, and innovation.
- A definitive history of the cars from the Wedge Era, with more than 250 cars featured
- Personal quotes and experiences from six of the most important wedge designers
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ISBN:
978-1-956309-18-8
- Page count: 480
- Images and Illustrations: 653
- Page size: 219 x 304mm
- First published: August 2024
Thank you, Nathan Chadwick and Magneto Magazine, for the great review Magneto Sept 2024.jpg)
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Author Biography
As a frequent concours judge, author and design consultant, as well as a co-conspirator with prominent designers such as Marcello Gandini, Tom Tjaarda, and Gérard Godfroy on several vehicle projects, Gautam Sen has been the founder or editor of several Indian automotive magazines, establishing the country’s first car magazine in 1986. Since 2015, a Vice President with FIVA, Sen has authored several award-winning books: Marcello Gandini: Maestro of Design, Ballot, The Bertone Collection, Tom Tjaarda: Master of Proportions, Lamborghini: At the Cutting Edge of Design, Bugatti: The Italian Decade, and Alfa Romeo SZ Coda Tronca: The Art of Conservation (all by Dalton Watson Fine Books) and others.
Gautam Sen is resident in Paris, France with his family.
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