1972 Maserati Boomerang (ItalDesign)

Developed over the chassis of the Maserati Bora, it is an extreme dream car, irrational, able to reach a top speed of close to 300 kph, thanks to its powerful 8 cylinders engine and 310 hp.

First presented as an epowood model at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, it then became a one-off and was exhibited five months later at the Geneva Show of 1973.

The recess on the hood of the Iguana, the front end and belt-line shape of the Tapiro, the whole of the Caimano are the inspirations of the Boomerang.

Extreme performances guaranteed by the powerful engine are underlined by the wedge shape and taut lines taken to the extreme. Drawn almost exclusively with a roller rather than with curves, it is more a sculpture than a car.

The windshield rises in an excessive rake: 13º, 2 degrees less than that of the Manta. Glass manufacturers were to consider it heresy as in their opinion it would cause notable problems in visibility. Giugiaro would have to await the production of the Lotus Esprit (1975) to offer material proof that he was not a heretic, but simply a realistic innovator.

The interior saw radical choices, as well. On the steering wheel only the rim is visible, a circular instrument panel with the speedometer/rev counter unit occupying the upper half lodge in the middle. During this period, the automobile industry began to deal with questions of safety. For the Boomerang, Italdesign developed a divided steering column connected by a chain, a complex idea technically speaking but fundamental in keeping the column from moving backward in the event of frontal collision.

The large, central steering wheel disc, was also conceived with the idea to create a space for an airbag. The Boomerang's wheel rims deserve a mention: looking like sculptures, they are undeniably the best of all those made by Giugiaro.

www.italdesign.it

The Maserati Boomerang was design by Giuguaro from Ital Design, for the Geneva Motor Show in 1972, displayed along side the Lotus Esprit concept car. Originally displayed as a mock up the year before at the 1971 Turin Motor show. The car was based on the Maserati Bora, using the 4.7 litre V8 unit with 310bhp at 6,000 RPM ahead of the rear axles. At 1070mm high, it was low and passengers had difficulty getting in. The angle of the windscreen was 15 degrees, which was the steepest rake you could achieve and stilll see out of.

lotusespritturbo.com

Giorgetto Giugiaro’s wedge-shaped supercar concept shocked when it first arrived at the ’71 Turin show, but it influenced the angular look of supercars for two decades to come, and particularly Giugiaro’s own Lotus Esprit. Only one running Boomerang was made; it used a Bora V8 and still exists.

The forgotten supercars (Ben Oliver) - www.carmagazine.co.uk

Джорджетто Джуджаро дополнил идею клина максимальным использованием прозрачных поверхностей и уникальным салоном — все приборы были расположены внутри огромной неподвижной ступицы руля. Позже из Бумеранга выросли Lotus Esprit и концепт-кар Audi Asso di Picche («Пиковый туз»)

«Выставка мечты» (Сергей ЗНАЕМСКИЙ) - Газета АВТОРЕВЮ, 2009 год / №1 (418)

В туринском автомобильном салоне 1971 года еще малоизвестный в те годы дизайнер Джорджо Джуджаро представил любопытную машину, вернее, ее макет в натуральную величину.

Очень низкий силуэт, очень большой угол наклона лобового стекла по отношению к вертикали, стекла в нижних половинах дверей, сделанные в литых колесах прямоугольные отверстия с высокими отбортовками придавали ему неповторимый облик.

Необычным было и архитектурное решение интерьера кузова. Массивная консоль разделяла, словно барьер, передние сиденья. Перед щитком приборов (в виде бочонка) располагался обод рулевого колеса, имевшего одинаковый с ним диаметр. Водитель и пассажир размещались в сиденьях ковшового типа полулежа, как в гоночном автомобиле, благодаря чему и удалось сделать кузов весьма низким.

По двигателю, трансмиссии и подвеске колес "Бумеранг", изготовленный в единственном экземпляре, был унифицирован с мелкосерийной спортивной моделью "Мазерати Бора".

Журнал "За рулем"