The Origins of Wedge Car Design

11 Giorgetto Giugiaro In 1967 Giorgetto Giugiaro unveiled the De Tomaso Mangusta. Guigiaro had had early success in his career when he designed the Alfa Romeo 2000 Sprint when he was just 21 while working at Bertone. In 1966, Guigiaro had a one-year contract at Ghia. During his tenure he designed the Mangusta, which was a stunning stand-alone design, but the car also heralded Guigiaro’s “folded paper” look. The folded paper era deserves special mention in any wedge car history. The folded paper cars emphasized sharp edges and flat surfaces, much more geometric in orientation than in prior automotive design lines. In the next decade, production sports cars like the Lotus Esprit emerged and the Volkswagen Sirocco. It is also noteworthy that the 1981 DMC DeLorean was also penned by Guigiaro. Also, in 1968, Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design designed the Bizzarrini Manta concept car. While not quite exhibiting stark wedge car elements, the Manta was clearly influential, with similarities showing in the much later Lamborghini Diablo and even the DMC DeLorean. Above and Right: 1968 Bizzarrini Manta

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