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LANCIA STRATOS ZERO: THE ETERNAL FUTURIST
GAUTAM SEN
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Our Price: $150.00
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Some have dubbed it the “most extraordinary concept car ever”. The Lancia Stratos zero remains one of the greatest concept cars, with design ramifications that are so vast that it deserves a book for itself. Not only did it influence almost every Lamborghini since the Countach LP500, and give birth indirectly to the greatest rally weapon, the similarly named Lancia Stratos HF Rally, but its impact was far and wide at every level of design, automotive or otherwise. The use of LEDs, sequential indicators and flat digital screens – all commonplace today – were first suggested in this time machine. Even more astounding was the fact that the Stratos Zero was a drivable device unlike many other flights of fancy from then (or, for that matter, today).

No doubt the Stratos HF Zero is as impractical and, in many ways, as meaningless as most automotive concepts, but at the same time: how many concept cars are there that look even more sensational today than they did half a century ago?

Yes, a few may be named, but did they work? What lovechild, what bloodline did they leave behind? What ideas did they suggest that we could see today in everyday cars? Which other concept starred both in cinemas and art museums?

• ISBN: 978-1-956309-20-1
• Page count: 320
• Images and Illustrations: 445
• Page size: 219 x 304mm
• First published: August 2024

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Author Biography
As a frequent concours judge, author and design consultant, as well as a co-conspirator with prominent designers such as Marcello Gandini, Tom Tjaarda, and Gérard Godfroy on several vehicle projects, Gautam Sen has been the founder or editor of several Indian automotive magazines, establishing the country’s first car magazine in 1986. Since 2015, a Vice President with FIVA, Sen has authored several award-winning books: Marcello Gandini: Maestro of Design, Ballot, The Bertone Collection, Tom Tjaarda: Master of Proportions, Lamborghini: At the Cutting Edge of Design, Bugatti: The Italian Decade, and Alfa Romeo SZ Coda Tronca: The Art of Conservation (all by Dalton Watson Fine Books) and others.

Gautam Sen is resident in Paris, France with his family.

 

When Wedge had the Edge
by Gautam Sen

US launch during Car Week in Monterey – visit Hortons Books at RetroAuto to purchase your copy.

Shipping to the UK and EU late August and to the US and worldwide mid-September

Click here for sample pages
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When the 1968 Paris Motor Show opened a surreal wedge-shaped sculpture of steel, glass, and layers of scaly metal astounded showgoers with its daring shape and extraordinary form. The Alfa Romeo Carabo was an exercise in lateral thinking at just about every level. With headlamps covered by retractable slats and doors that opened, for the first time ever, with a scissor action, the Carabo rewrote the rules of automobile design, kickstarting an avalanche of extreme wedge forms—a trend that remained in vogue for the best part of the next two decades.

A bold departure from traditional automotive design, captivating the imagination with futuristic aesthetics and aerodynamic efficiency, the wedge style represented a paradigm shift in automotive aesthetics, emphasizing sharp lines, low profiles, and angular contours. The wedge shape, characterized by a sharply tapered front end that widens towards the rear, was not merely a stylistic choice but a reflection of advancements in aerodynamics and engineering. By minimizing drag and improving stability at high speeds, these cars demonstrated a commitment to performance and efficiency.

Iconic examples like the Alfa Romeo Carabo, Ferrari Modulo, Lancia Strato's Zero and the Maserati Boomerang, as well as series production cars such as the De Tomaso Pantera, Lamborghini Countach, and the Lotus Esprit, epitomized the wedge design ethos, captivating enthusiasts and shaping perceptions of automotive style for generations to come. Their striking silhouettes became synonymous with speed, power, and innovation.

• A definitive history of the cars from the Wedge Era, with more than 250 cars featured
• Personal quotes and experiences from six of the most important wedge designers

• ISBN: 978-1-956309-18-8
• Page count: 480
• Images and Illustrations: 653
• Page size: 219 x 304mm
• First published: August 2024

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Author Biography
As a frequent concours judge, author and design consultant, as well as a co-conspirator with prominent designers such as Marcello Gandini, Tom Tjaarda, and Gérard Godfroy on several vehicle projects, Gautam Sen has been the founder or editor of several Indian automotive magazines, establishing the country’s first car magazine in 1986. Since 2015, a Vice President with FIVA, Sen has authored several award-winning books: Marcello Gandini: Maestro of Design, Ballot, The Bertone Collection, Tom Tjaarda: Master of Proportions, Lamborghini: At the Cutting Edge of Design, Bugatti: The Italian Decade, and Alfa Romeo SZ Coda Tronca: The Art of Conservation (all by Dalton Watson Fine Books) and others.

Gautam Sen is resident in Paris, France with his family.

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If Lynch’s book comes out first! Bull says November but…

 

Anything can happen as those who’ve followed this book’s sad saga are aware. Still, my money’s on…literally…Bull being closer than Porter to hitting its promised delivery date. We’ll see.

 

+1 agree. I assume that Bull will be using most of the original Michael Lynch manuscript? It should be a fairly straightforward job without continually adding content/constant meddling.

 

Most likely, you and me will have to have both.

 

A little bit off topic, but I think of high interest here: a new Bugatti book by Julius Kruta will be published at next year's Retromobile:

https://thetype59book.com/

The prototype, the proof reading copy, will be auctioned tomorrow by Gooding & Company at Monterey.

 

Auctioning a proof reading copy?! Unheard of for me... maybe my sudden ticket to becoming a trillionaire;-)

 

I was curious and checked the price.

Well....if you have to ask....you can't afford it.

 

Almost 1600 Euros or $1759 (at today’s exchange rate) for the lowest tier “Collectors’ Edition.” I wonder if this adds anything new or different to the Bugatti book universe.

 

Here is the link to the auction:

https://bid.goodingco.com/lots/view/1-9D6IC6/bugatti-type-59-book-artists-proof-no-1

 

Quote from the Lot description:

There are really eager to get their money for this. Afraid the buyer gets cold feet afterwards?

 

Of course, one of Ettore’s testicles will be included in this very special edition.

 

Kruta also published the EB110 book a few years ago, which despite the hype and limited print run is still in ample supply.

 

As the "ultimate edition" is limited to 15 copies, this sheds a completely new light on the anatomy of Ettore...

 

I’m sure Julius Kruta could do another limited edition on this phenomenon.

 

hahahahah!

 

It’s an outrage to break up the set.

 

I'm sorry, but the so-called collectibles market seems to be getting a bit idiotic... polluted by this type of "thing"....even if it is going to a good cause, as is claimed. To me, the only value is bragging rights, but... that's only if you consider that to be of any value at all, which I do not. I know some people give "bragging rights" a value, it's an ego thing for most, etc. However, I do know that my clients and friends are in the camp which prefers giving substantial private donations with NO need for any "gift" or public recognition. I guess there are two significantly differing philosophies to this.....

 

Also missing from my original comments...Seeing this from Gooding & Co. was a big disappointment, it is the type of stunt I'd expect from an auction house like Mecum.

 

Just checked the availability. Of the three editions, Le Mans, GT & IMSA the first two are sold out and a few copies of the IMSA edition are still available.

 

Exactly..except Mecum clients don't read books

 

I thought 1595 Euro for a book was already ridiculous, but please note that the "Limited Edition", which is the same book in an aluminium case goes for a cool €15.959. (remember, aluminium is about €2000/ton)

 

40 copies, plus so-called owners edition where they are apparently not willing and able to pay silly money.

 

I would include many Corvette owners as well. A friend of mine in automotive publishing put it to me this way:

"Look, Porsche owners read. Corvette guys eat at Denny's."

I replied, Huh?

He said, "Have you ever eaten at Dennys? They give you a big glossy menu with pictures of the food. You just point at what you want."