An Orange County design, engineering and manufacturing firm, Aria Group, today debuted its Fast Eddy concept, an American-made, mid-engine sport car and the company’s first-ever original concept car design at The Notion Studios in Los Angeles.
Fast Eddy is said to be an exercise of the purest form of design, defined as proportion, surface and sculpture. This concept marks beginning of a new chapter for Aria, and offers a preview of the company’s original design to be debuted soon.
“Fast Eddy represents our continued passion for automotive design,” said Clive Hawkins, founder and CEO of Aria Group. “Our belief is that in a world currently fascinated with products, technology and ‘mobility,’ there is still a space for design in its highest form. Cars should be moving sculptures – breathtaking for the onlooker and truly emotional for the driver.”
The design pays homage to the Chevrolet Aerovette XP-882 that had a mid-engine configuration using a V8 engine. The Aerovette was revealed in 1977 as a concept, but went no further. Aria claims that The Aerovette’s illusive lifecycle transformed its existence into a unicorn, and today American roads are still buy ativan hopeful for the arrival of the mystical creature.
Fast Eddy is also claimed to be a 21st Century revival of the cars designed in Detroit from the late 40s to the mid-70s, when designers experienced visceral connections to their creations. And carmakers were bold enough to build them. The design elements of Fast Eddy pull from the classic 1965 Sting Ray and mid-engine concepts, with influences such as twin front and rear lights, and the iconic bumper.
The vehicle also has a distinctive American proportion, illustrated through its mid-positioned cabin. Unlike its European counterparts, which are cab-forward, Fast Eddy has a longer, less abrupt silhouette. The fenders are said to be drawn from F-16 fighter jets. The color of the paint is dark grey, as if the car is honed from a block of titanium, coupled with the piano-black detailing.
Fast Eddy was also the nickname for Ed Taylor, who was a vice president of design during the golden years at GM and responsible for many cars in the company’s history, including the C4 Corvette. Taylor was father of Aria Group’s co-founder Charles Taylor,
