Monday, March 20, 2023

1970-Vintage Concept Cars with Wedge-Shape Front Ends

Around 1970, several Italian-designed concept cars appeared featuring wedge-shaped front ends.  They also were low: a few extremely so.  Some will be featured in later posts here, but for now, a brief introduction.

In chronological order, the cars are: 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo by Bertone, Marcello Gandini designer; 1969 Ferrari 512 S Berlinetta Speciale by Pininfarina, Paolo Martin designer; 1970 Ferrari Modulo by Bertone; 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero by Bertone; 1970 Porsche Tapiro by Italdesign; and 1972 Maserati Boomerang by Italdesign, the famed Giogetto Giargio being Italidesign's founder and chief designer.  Gandini was responsible for all the Bertone designs shown here.

All of these cars were of the mid-engine configuration, where the motor was located behind the passenger compartment and ahead of the rear axle line.  An engine mounted at the front would be too tall to allow for the frontal wedge shape.

Images below are mostly publicity photos from the car companies or coachbuilders.

Gallery

1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo by Bertone
The first important design of this type.

1969 Ferrari 512 S Berlinetta Speciale by Pininfarina
Like the car above and the two shown below, rear wheels are larger than front wheels.

1970 Ferrari Modulo by Bertone
The colors were reversed not long after this photo was taken.

1970 Lancia Stratos Zero by Bertone - RM Sotheby's auction photo
Perhaps the least practical of the lot.

1972 Porsche Tapiro by Italdesign
Based on the production VW-Porsche 914/6.

1972 Maserati Boomerang by Italdesign - Bonhams auction photo
An evolution of the Tapiro.

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