‘The Wedge Revolution’ Exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum

Innovative cars that pushed the limits of automotive design will take center stage in the Petersen Automotive Museum’s newest exhibit, museum officials stated in a press release. “The Wedge Revolution: Cars on the Cutting Edge,” set to open on Aug. 2, will explore the emergence, evolution and impact of wedge-shaped automotive design from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Located in the museum’s Design Gallery, “The Wedge Revolution,” co-curated with Tesla chief designer and wedge design aficionado Franz von Holzhausen, will showcase a wide range of vehicles embodying the bold, angular styling that defined this unique era in automotive design. It will highlight the transitional period when designers moved from decorative curves and chrome to clean lines, flat surfaces and geometric forms, noted the release. The “wedge style” represented a new design philosophy based on minimalism and aerodynamics.

Wedge-Designed Cars on Display at the Petersen Automotive Museum

The display will showcase a diverse range of production cars and concept models from renowned designers and manufacturers, including early and influential vehicles like the 1966 Cannara I, the 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero, the 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 “Periscopio,” the 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog and the 1976 Chevrolet Aerovette. The exhibit will also include modern references to wedge design, such as the Tesla Cybertruck and the 2016 Lo-Res Car. Designs by Marcello Gandini, Sergio Coggiola, William Towns and Jerry Palmer will also be featured.

“The wedge era produced some of the most daring and forward-thinking designs in automotive history,” said Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. “This exhibit allows visitors to see how wedge design continues to influence the vehicles we see on the road today.”

“The Wedge Revolution: Cars on the Cutting Edge” opens on Aug. 2 and will be on display through Sept. 2026.