Hooniverse Asks- What's The Coolest Wedge Car?

brie

 

Back in ye olden days trains used to wipe out a ton of cows as the beasts were too dumb not to wander onto the tracks and into the path of an oncoming steam locomotive.* It would nearly have wiped them all out were it not for the brilliance of one man- Charles Babbage. A 19th Century Polymath considered to be the father of the modern day computer, Babbage  is also credited with the invention of the Pilot, or “cow catcher”  for the era’s steam locomotives.** While scooping up cows and depositing them unmolested but typically with frothy milk, the Pilot served for early transportation what the wedge shape did for automobile aerodynamics a century or more later.***

Automotive aerodynamics is a discipline  almost as old as cars themselves, Karl Benz being the first to turn his cap backwards while at the tiller of his Patent Motorwagen is pursuit of that extra quarter KPH. One styling trope that offered the layman the impression of aerodynamic efficiency, but probably wasn’t all that effective was the wedge shape, pointy at front, and tall at the back. Many of the cars affixed with the style looked much like a serving of pie tipped on it side. They also looked trés bitchin.

The C3 Covette was the first production wedge car from a major American maker, but it was Europe where the style was embraced with the most gusto. The seventies were the heyday of the trope, and with Fiat X1/9s, Triumph TR7s, and Porsche 924s all prowling the streets at that time, you’d be under the impression that there wasn’t a door stopped open to be found. The wedge is such a famous styling trope that today, I want to know which one you think is history’s coolest?

* This is totally untrue, while cows are profoundly stupid, hamburgers cost more of them their lives every day than trains ever did.

** This part is actually totes true, Charles Babbage, under the employment of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, really did invent the pointy-nose part of a locomotive known as the Pilot.

*** This is not validated, but pretty likely, don’t you think?

Image sources: theheritagecook, prostreetblog

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92 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- What's The Coolest Wedge Car?”

  1. $kaycog Avatar
    $kaycog

    It doesn't get more wedgier than this '76 CitiCar.
    <img src="http://images.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2011/11/CitiCar_7966_1000-700×545.jpg"width="500"/&gt;

    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy Max Wedge.
      <img src="http://www.kzclassiccars.com/pictures/1963-Plymouth-Dodge-426-Max-Wedge-1.jpg&quot; width=500>

    2. JayP2112 Avatar
      JayP2112

      Less wedgie, more electric.
      Spotted this one at the Target by my house in Texas. A few months later found another about a mile from my dad's house.
      About a thousand miles apart. The only 2 I've ever seen.
      <img src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/221980_10150223726312853_7239803_n.jpg&quot; width="600">

      1. $kaycog Avatar
        $kaycog

        That's two more than I've ever seen.

        1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
          Peter Tanshanomi

          There was actually one in my neighborhood growing up.

          1. $kaycog Avatar
            $kaycog

            The Citicar was growing up? (bad joke)
            Off topic: Remember that huge motorcycle and motorcycle parts stash in Arizona that I told you about? Sadly, a fire destroyed it all last Saturday. http://www.azcentral.com/news/arizona/articles/20

  2. Morphine505 Avatar
    Morphine505

    AW11. Hands. Effing. Down. http://monkeymagic86.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/

    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Courtesy Embed.
      <img src="http://monkeymagic86.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/aw11izumi.jpg&quot; width="500">

      1. LEROOOY Avatar
        LEROOOY

        My most-desired:
        <img src="http://i.imgur.com/HFHq6Zq.jpg"&gt;

      2. Morphine505 Avatar
        Morphine505

        Cheers for that.

  3. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    Esprit

  4. P161911 Avatar

    I'm not sure how you consider the C3 Vette a Wedge car? I've always thought it was too swoopy to be a wedge.
    <img src="http://image.corvettefever.com/f/featuredvehicles/corp_0912_1968_chevrolet_corvette_l71/26688334+pheader_460x1000/corp_0912_01+1968_chevrolet_corvette_coupe.jpg"width=500&gt;
    Now the C4 Corvette on the other hand does seem pretty wedgey. My favorite would be the ZR-1.
    <img src="http://media.caranddriver.com/images/10q2/352113/1990ndash1995-chevrolet-corvette-zr-1-photo-352193-s-1280×782.jpg&quot; width="500/">

    1. craigsu Avatar
      craigsu

      Granted it's a prototype but it's still a Corvette (CERV III, 1990)
      <img src="http://www.corvettes.nl/gm_prototypes/cerv3/files/page58_1.jpg&quot; width="600">

    2. Rover1 Avatar
      Rover1

      Or the Bertone Ramarro, based on the C4, but a foot shorter and with the radiators moved to the back,
      <img src="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads18/Ramarro1310351385.jpg"width="600"&gt;
      by Marc Deschamps,who then designed the Karin for Citroen.( See below )

      1. Rover1 Avatar
        Rover1

        Or in the factory with all the other Bertone wedges
        <img src="http://cdn-ak.f.st-hatena.com/images/fotolife/g/gianni-agnelli/20100706/20100706231042.jpg"width="600"&gt;

  5. Vavon Avatar
    Vavon

    Citroën Karin, because you can never have too many wedges!
    <img src="http://www.influx.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/5660.jpeg&quot; width=640><img src="http://www.influx.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/5653-1.jpeg&quot; width=640>

    1. jeremy![™] Avatar
  6. kyle_a_m Avatar
    kyle_a_m

    I'll get the obvious (and correct) answer out of the way early.
    <img src="http://www.anothersomething.org/wp-content/uploads-anothersomething/2010/05/Bertone-Alfa-Romeo-Carabo-2-lg.jpg&quot; width=600>

    1. IronBallsMcG Avatar

      Yep, that's the one.
      And the correct picture.

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        I raise my glass. Wedge it is.

    2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      …and let's not forget the kit car that paid tribute to it.
      <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb7hdpIHD51rcyenho1_500.jpg"&gt;

    1. jeremy![™] Avatar

      fuck the lacia, who makes that truck?!?!

      1. john365 Avatar
        john365

        It should be a Fiat 642.

    1. Number_Six Avatar
      Number_Six

      But I'd also take a Dome Zero
      <img src="http://qrgarage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/zero-side.jpg&quot; width="500" />

      1. Bryce Womeldurf Avatar

        Note to self. Wait for the page to load and THEN up vote. Unintentionally down voted.

  7. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar

    Leyland Princess 2200HLS in Champagne Beige with vulgalour interior. For The Win.
    Harris Mann was a genius.

    1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      A wedge of cheese, sure.

  8. PushrodRWD Avatar
    PushrodRWD

    Fantasy Wedge
    <img src="http://dreamscar.pagesperso-orange.fr/Vector-W2-8proto.jpg"&gt;
    The other Wedge
    <img src="http://larryriegel.com/Max_Wedge/P4200557.JPG"&gt;
    A cool wedge that you could actually buy. Still one of my favorite foreign cars from the 80's
    <img src="http://pursuitautomotive.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/conquest-kevin-cederwall.jpg"&gt;

    1. LEROOOY Avatar
      LEROOOY

      Soooo much better this way! What was wrong with us?

      1. frankthecat Avatar

        Cocaine is one hell of a drug.

  9. muthalovin Avatar

    Obviously. I mean, look at how wedge-y it is!
    <img src="http://www.gtspirit.com/wp-content/gallery/car-crash-yellow-acura-nsx/mass-1_23.jpg&quot; width=550>

    1. Kamil_K Avatar

      NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
    Irishzombieman☆

    Question should be, "What's the second coolest Wedge Car?"
    Because there is no question about the first.
    <img src="http://www.madwhips.com/upload/images/lancia_stratos_rally_car_in_the_street_4.JPG&quot; width=500>

    1. Scandinavian Flick ★ Avatar
      Scandinavian Flick ★

      What’s The Coolest Wedge Car and Why is it the Lancia Stratos?
      Fixed the title.

      1. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        What's The Coolest Wedge Car and Why Does It Have A Variomatic? FTFY. <img src="http://www.dafmuseum.nl/SiteCollectionImages/DAF%20museum/siluro3.jpg&quot; width="600"> Source :http://www.dafmuseum.nl/en/daf-museum/pages/daf-siluro.aspx
        What's The Coolest Wedge Car and Why Does It Have A Variomatic And Rattan Seats And Is Owned By The Royal Family? Because commoners like you will never own a car this cool.
        <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e0ac7b1f5c323fd07ecf1a9a4e32882c/tumblr_mhl0biZ1211rslel6o1_1280.jpg&quot; width="600"> Source <a href="http://:http://bandirepublic.tumblr.com/post/42086085093/daf-kini-the-queen” target=”_blank”>:http://bandirepublic.tumblr.com/post/42086085093/daf-kini-the-queen

    2. Van_Sarockin Avatar
      Van_Sarockin

      Thank you. That took too long.

  11. Slow_Joe_Crow Avatar
    Slow_Joe_Crow

    Sticking to production cars, how about a Matra Murena? French, mid-engined, with 3 abreast seating, and built by a missile company.
    <img src="http://www.delest.nl/cb-img/247/Matra-Murena-16–1981.jpg"&gt;

    1. Alcology Avatar
      Alcology

      These are way cool and relatively affordable

    1. Kris_01 Avatar
      Kris_01

      BAH! Beat me to it. Any wedgemobile that can cause unwitting Camaros to lose their fireworks is a winner to me.

      1. Lastws6 Avatar
        Lastws6

        Best description I've ever read.

    2. Vavon Avatar
      Vavon

      OOOHHH, I would rock that! 1. What is that film called? 2. Is it any good?

      1. craigsu Avatar
        craigsu

        Gone In Sixty Seconds 2 (1989)
        [youtube WQD3KJcfK4U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQD3KJcfK4U youtube]

        1. Vavon Avatar
          Vavon

          Thank you very much!!!

    1. Deepspace74 Avatar
      Deepspace74

      Don't forget Aston Martin's ultimate madness – the Bulldog
      <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/1979_Aston_Martin_Bulldog.jpg/640px-1979_Aston_Martin_Bulldog.jpg&quot; width="500">

  12. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    Is the AZ1's nose too snubbed to make it a "wedge car?" Farther back, it's got the rest of the lines down pat.
    <img src="http://www.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/az1.JPG&quot; width="500">
    <img src="http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/909/jiyeonsittingonthewindo.jpg&quot; width="500">

    1. kyle_a_m Avatar
      kyle_a_m

      Damn! With the flares and the Watanabes (?) that actually looks pretty good in profile.

  13. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    What am I thinking! I forgot perhaps my favorite little bundle of wedgieness.
    <img src="http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1983NissanPulsarNX.jpg&quot; width="500">

    1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      Make mine slightly newer.
      <img src="http://www.volksforum.com/albums/files/7/Img_0600.jpg"&gt;

      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
          FuzzyPlushroom

          Grey area, but such pretty grey area.

  14. mac350 Avatar
      1. mac350 Avatar
        mac350

        We can thank the inimitable Stan Mott for combining wedge, speed and firepower – check out these guns!
        <img src="http://sbiii.com/smottpix/tnkhst7t.jpg&quot; width="600">

        1. texlenin Avatar
          texlenin

          I keep a picture of that one in my garage……_one can dream

    1. windbuechse Avatar

      Man, I remember this on the show circuit when I was a teen. It was the most bitchin' ride there.
      <img src="http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2007/10/30-ferrari-512-modulo/Ferrari-512-Modulo-Auto-Expo.jpg&quot; width="600">

  15. wunno sev Avatar
    wunno sev

    wedge didn't drive a car, silly!
    <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4mga3ZOAN1rprxkro1_400.jpg"&gt;

  16. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    Nobody mentiond this yet?
    [youtube UrgF38F_qw0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrgF38F_qw0 youtube]

    1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

      Whoa… Nissan used that same catch phrase on some t-shirts when they introduced the Cube in the US.

    2. Lastws6 Avatar
      Lastws6

      I couldn't believe it took so long to show up here either.

    3. craigsu Avatar
      craigsu

      Pretty sure the voiceover belongs to William Conrad, the portly detective of Cannon (among other credits).

  17. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    TR-7, as seen above. Surprised the Porsche prototype hasn't shown up.

  18. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Now this is where the wedgy part starts to hurt.
    <img src="http://good-wallpapers.com/pictures/10271/Saab%20Sonett%202.jpg&quot; width="600">

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      I should have stayed around to see whether hotlinked would work. Another try for the SAAB Sonett:
      <img src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/wallpaper/1004_1957_67_74_saab_sonett_wallpaper_gallery/28907092+w1600+h1200+st0/saab-sonett-front-view.jpg&quot; width="600">

  19. craigsu Avatar
    craigsu

    A little Indy car action is called for:
    <img src="http://www.slotforum.com/forums/uploads/1154460316/gallery_41_192_7109.jpg&quot; width="600">
    Not just a wedge but a 4-wheel drive turbine-powered wedge!

    1. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
      Dean Bigglesworth

      One thing I'd like to know… How would it feel driving that thing with the cardan shaft of doom spinning just a few millimetres from my plums?

  20. mallthus Avatar
    mallthus

    Really? This is a question?
    <img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/71226734/Photos/Hooniverse/TR7_Shape.jpg&quot; width=600>

  21. Roberto G. Avatar
    Roberto G.

    Once upon a time, I hated to drive the Company's Fiat Puntos "Base", because during Summer their plastic covered seats gave me a some serious cases of wedgies, and it's not nice to meet a customer while having an uncomfortably sweaty ass crack.

  22. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    Well, I don't know how to do pictures here, but we've gone this far and no one's mentioned the BMW M1? For shame…

  23. spotarama Avatar
    spotarama

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0
    best of british and all that

  24. NCShifter Avatar
    NCShifter

    Those Pulsars and even the S110 Silvia were mentioned, but not its much wedgier descendant, the S12?
    <img src="http://www.v6-s12.com/images/My_Car_Gallery/200SX_front_quarter_11_2_02.jpg&quot; width="600">
    That's my '88.

  25. NCShifter Avatar
    NCShifter

    Here's some more S12 wedginess:
    <img src = "http://www.v6-s12.com/Linked_Images/MyCar/Dragon_Desktop_1024.jpg&quot; width=600>

  26. NCShifter Avatar
    NCShifter

    Try that again
    <img src = "http://www.v6-s12.com/Linked_Images/MyCar/Dragon_Desktop_1024.jpg&quot; width="600">

  27. JustPassinThru Avatar
    JustPassinThru

    At over 1000 miles per 10 gallon tank, I like this one!
    <img src="http://diesel-bike.com/Centurion/urba_centurion_rear_side_2013.jpg"&gt;
    <img src="http://diesel-bike.com/Centurion/urba_centurion_rear_side_2013.jpg"&gt;
    Some cool things at that site too!

  28. JustPassinThru Avatar
    JustPassinThru

    Another view:
    <img src="http://diesel-bike.com/Centurion/flipups_front_dvrs_574x215.jpg"&gt;
    It's very wedgie!

  29. Paleo Recipe Book Avatar

    You can get all the details about Michelle’s book, including how to order,
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  30. Jaką szkołę wybrać? Avatar

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