Every now and then, a car or in this case a concept car comes along which changes everything. Introduced at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Marzal by Bertone is as seminal a car design as there ever was. Beyond its futuristic appearance lies the design language that influenced the Lamborghini Espada and the generation of wedge shaped automobiles.

Fresh off his design of the Miura (and there is some dispute whether it was really Gandini's or Giugiaro's), Gandini presented his design study for a four seater mid-engine car for Bertone main client at the time Lamborghini. Based on a lengthened Miura chassis and powered by half of the Miura V12 over the rear axle the Marzal remained a one-off concept car due to the lack of interest by Lamborghini.

But unlike most concept car, the Marzal was a functioning automobile despite its outlandish and decidedly futuristic appearance. That said its performance didn't match its appearance with so much weight over the rear axle which made for poor handle (think a very poor handling 1965 Porsche 911) and a rather anemic engine.

But despite its lack of success as a commercial venture, the styling of the Marzal made its way into the Espada, albeit toned down, and in about every future Gandini design ( Fiat X1/9, Lamborghini Countach, Bugatti EB110, Lancia Stratos, Maserati Khamsin, Ferrari 308GT4, Iso Lele ..and the list goes on) and even Giugiaro's Lotus Esprit. In fact, when Gandini's body of work is examined, it becomes clear that perhaps Giugiaro was right in that he, Giugiaro and not Gandini, designed the equally seminal Miura