Maserati Boomerang At 50, The Italdesign Rethink Of The Bora

The 1972 Italdesign Maserati Boomerang concept has hit 50 years old. This one off concept was a working vehicle, but it never went any further. It was however bang on trend with its wedge shape, a series of flat panels and angular lines, probably one of the more extreme examples of this trend.

Originally seen at the 1971 Turin Motor Show the car reappeared at the Geneva Motor Show in 1972 as a registered and running vehicle.

The concept was created by wedge styling legend Giorgetto Giugiaro and produced in house by Italdesign.

Italdesign created the working concept by taking a Bora chassis with its mid mounted V8 engine and 5 speed gearbox. The 4,719 cc engine produced 310 hp which meant that the Boomerang could hit nearly 300 km/h.

The Boomerang was never produced and was it ever seriously considered to be a production vehicle? It did set the scene for Giugiaro and his following wedge designs, but also set trends across Europe and the united States with other manufacturers. 

Not only that but toy cars were heavily influenced with this style too. Those cheap and somewhat crude versions you get in sets at discount stores often contained many wedge shapes, some with the glass doors of the Boomerang too. Have a look next time you’re shopping, I bet you’ll find a Boomerang still.