CLASSIC CARS.

Wedge-shaped cars, the marvels of style and form that characterized the 1960s and 1970s

Between the 60s and the 70s, a new aesthetic concept for cars, so-called wedge-shaped, was born. Low, angular lines characterized them. Many were supercars and numerous born and designed in Italy.

Many remained prototypes to be shown in showrooms. But there were some wedge-shaped cars that were put into production and also sold a substantial number of units.

We mention the Lotus Esprit (about 10,000 examples) and Lamborghini Countach (just over 2,000).

In England they called them "wedge shaped car". And they were often considered an exercise in style.

photo collage Engine Start
A golden age of design
Between the 60s and the 70s, a new aesthetic concept for cars, so-called wedge-shaped, was born. Low, angular lines characterized them. Many were supercars and numerous born and designed in Italy. Many remained prototypes to be displayed in showrooms. But there were some wedge-shaped cars that were put into production and also sold substantial numbers. We mention the Lotus Esprit (about 10,000 examples) and the Lamborghini Countach (just over 2,000).In England they called them "wedge shaped car". And they were often considered an exercise in style.
photo Mercedes
Mercedes C111
The Mercedes C111 was an experimental design from the Stuttgart-based manufacturer presented in 1969 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Three  Wankel rotary engines of 600 cc each were used on the first Mercedes C111. The power was enough to propel the car to 260 km/h and enabled it to cover the 0-60 km/h sprint in 5 seconds. The gull-wing door opening. Sixteen examples were built and those that survived would be insured for 8 million francs each.
photo Lamborghini
Lamborghini Urraco
The Lamborghini Urraco is a car produced by the Italian automaker Lamborghini from 1972 to 1979. The car was previewed at the 1970 Turin Motor Show, but the first examples could be delivered only a couple of years later. A new concept of a 4-seater mid-engine sports coupe.
photo Maserati
Maserati Boomerang
It is March 9, 1972, 42nd Geneva Motor Show, Maserati unveils a brand-new concept car. Mechanically based on the 1971 Maserati Bora . Designed by Italdesign, and more specifically by the acclaimed Giorgetto Giugiaro, it is made in only one registered example. Under the rear hood, centrally located, takes its place the 90°, 4.7-liter V8 taken right from the Maserati Bora. With 310 hp and a 5-speed transmission, the Maserati Boomerang can reach a top speed of 300 km/h.
photo Lamborghini
Lamborghini Countach
The Countach is a sports car produced by Lamborghini. Designed by Marcello Gandini and engineered by Paolo Stanzani. It was presented as a prototype at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, and remained in production until 1990, when it was replaced by the Lamborghini Diablo. The engine mounted on the prototype was the Lamborghini V12, increased to a displacement of 4971 cm³. The power delivered was 440 hp. Top speed was in the range of 300km/h.
photo Lancia
Lancia Stratos
The Lancia Stratos is a sports car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Lancia from 1973 to 1975. It was designed by Marcello Gandini for Bertone and equipped with an engine and transmission V6 Ferrari Dino. The first was the 2.4-liter 6-cylinder V-cylinder from the Ferrari Dino 246 GT powered by three carburetors for an output of 190 hp.
photo Citroen
Citroen GS Camargue
In 1970 Citroen launched the GS. A few years later, in 1972, Bertone presented in the form of concept an unusual variant of it christened Camargue that might well have represented the 2 + 2 coupe version of the already streamlined GS. Citroen GS Camargue despite its bold lines and athletic silhouette, was equipped "only" by a four-cylinder boxer developing the modest power of 55 hp.
photo Maserati
Maserati Bora
The Maserati Bora was a milestone in the history of Maserati. It was the first Maserati road car with a mid-positioned engine and was the first car developed under full Citroen ownership. The engine was the well-known V8, first in a 4.7-liter configuration and later also 4.9 liters. The precious bodywork, on the other hand, was another masterpiece of Giorgetto Giugiaro. Top speed 270 km/h.
photo Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda
The Aston Martin Lagonda is a car produced from 1976 to 1989 by the British car manufacturer Aston Martin. Four generations were produced. The first model in 1974, and designed by William Towns, was basically a 4-door version of theAston Martin V8. Although it sold only 7 examples, it was decided to make Lagonda a stand-alone model that would have luxury and futuristic styling as its main features.
photo BMW
BMW M1
The BMW M1 is a car produced between 1978 and 1981 by the German automaker. The car was born to have a sports car capable of competing with the historic rival Porsche. BMW therefore created the M1, perfectly designed aerodynamically, with a 5-speed automatic transmission and deeply snappy, reaching 262 km/h in a very short time. A great success then that placed it back in the Olympus of highly competitive sports cars.
photo Audi
Audi Asso di Picche
At the request of Karmann, Italdesign made a special Audi-branded car in 1973, based on the chassis and mechanics of the Audi 80 model. Thus the Audi Asso di Picche was born, a four-seat sports coupe. Under the bonnet of the of Asso di Picche could have been four-cylinder gasoline engines, either 1.3-liter or 1.5
photo Porsche
Porsche Tapiro
The Porsche Tapiro was the pioneer of that period where wedge-shaped cars had a big impact among designers. The chassis of the car was that of the Porsche 914. However, the Porsche Tapiro was eight centimeters longer, which brought the overall length to 4.06 meters. The Tapiro did not abandon the Stuttgart manufacturer's motoring concept. Unlike the Porsche 914, which was equipped with a 1.7-liter engine and 110 hp of maximum power, the engine in the Porsche Tapiro was a 2.4-liter six-cylinder. The result was a maximum output of 220 hp. The sports car was capable of a top speed of 245 km/h.
photo Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Navajo
The Alfa Romeo Navajo was a masterpiece made by the Turin (Italy) coachbuilder Bertone unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1976. The Alfa Romeo Navajo was a concentrate of style and technique, and the chassis was that of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. The Navajo was powered by the 2.0 V8 engine with mechanical fuel injection and 233 horsepower, mated to a longitudinally positioned six-speed manual transmission.
photo Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Carabo
Bodywork Bertone, design by Marcello Gandini on a mechanical base of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Thus the Alfa Romeo Carabo was born, a car only 99 cm tall with absolutely breathtaking, wedge-shaped styling and scissor-cut doors. The engine was an 8-cylinder 90° V-shaped, rear/ longitudinal center with 2 double overhead camshafts, 1995 cm³. Power 230 hp, top speed 250 km/h.
photo Lotus
Lotus Esprit
The Lotus Esprit was a coupe produced by Lotus Cars from 1976 to 2004 in 24 different variants and 10675 examples (5829 called "Giugiaro" and 4846 "Stevens"). The Lotus Esprit S1 was first introduced  at the Paris Motor Show in October 1975. The body conformation allowed Lotus Esprit to touch 210 km/h.
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