The Origins of Wedge Car Design

29 Transitional Wedge Car Evolution In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, several concept cars were beginning to experiment with design changes that are noteworthy in a historical review of wedge cars. In 1958, Virgil Exner Jr designed a sports car concept, the Simca Special (shown on left page), that from a side view had emergent wedge design lines. In May 2022, Exner Jr posted on the Deans Garage website a number of “wedge” influencing designs prior to 1960. As noted in the beginning of this book, wedge elements in design have been around since the beginning of the automobile. Virgil Exner Sr was known as The Father of the Fin”. Wedge silhouettes, prior to the historically labelled “Wedge Car Era” that began in the 1960s are not quite as pure; which can be seen in Exner Jr’s offerings. One thing for sure is that nothing will stop the continued debate. The following link is to Exner Jr’s May 2022 posting: http://www.deansgarage.com/2022/influential-designs-by-virgil-exner/ 1958 Simca Special by Virgil Exner Jr.—Paris, France Exhibition October, 1959

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