This book
celebrates the striking wedge cars that first appeared at the 1968 Paris Motor
Show. A surreal wedge-shaped sculpture of steel, glass, and layers of scaly
metal astounded show-goers 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, for the first time,
doors that opened with scissor action, the Carabo rewrote the rules of
automobile design, kick-starting an avalanche of 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 and 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 advances in aerodynamics and engineering. By
minimizing drag and improving stability at high speeds, these cars demonstrated
a commitment to performance and efficiency. How the motorcar designers
gradually moved towards the wedge shape is described in this book which
culminates in a celebration of the many variations that can be seen today.