When Wedge Had The Edge

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.