21 From Concept Cars to Production Cars Some wedge shaped cars were concept cars and some made it into production. Mid-engine design made sense for wedge shaped body work and also had favorable weight bias for cars with sporting intent. We have mentioned Bertone as a key design house, but not yet singled out Bertone. As can be seen in the graphic to the left, Bertone was a force in wedge car designs and particularly on wedge cars that reached production. The image on the left of mid-engine cars by Bertone blends together wedge shapes previously seen in concept cars and those cars that made it into production. The Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Dino 4 share wedge design elements. The 1972 Fiat X19, heavily influenced by the 1969 Autobiachi Runabout, was produced in relatively prolific numbers. Gandini transitioned his design efforts from concept cars to road cars. The Lancia Stratos HF Prototype made its debut at the 1971 Turin Motor Show. The road version of the Lancia Stratos went into production between 1973 and 1974. Four hundred and ninety-two cars were built. The Stratos won high acclaim as a World Rally Championship car in 1974-1976. Regarding the emergence of wedge designs and mid-engine layouts, it is no coincidence that the two themes emerged at approximately the same time. With the engine up front, it is nearly impossible to have the frontal body area low and sharp. The mid-engine placement (emerging in the early-60’s for show cars and by mid-60’s for production cars) allowed wedge design to happen, in full wedge form.
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