glasses and sunglasses, Carrera | Vintage Sunglasses

Carrera – Most famous sports and pilots eyeglasses of the 80s

The Carrera sunglasses were invented by Wilhelm Anger, who revolutionized the world of glasses in 1968 with his eyewear factory and the OPTYL plastic of the same name. He developed the production of eyewear from a handicraft production into a series production.

Anger had begun working on the Carrera eyewear much earlier, however, because he was actually interested in developing safety glasses. But in 1955, ten years after the war, people once again had money for luxury as well as an increasing interest in sporting activities. Wilhelm Anger modified the actual safety glasses into sports glasses, ski goggles and fashion glasses.

A Car Race as a Godfather for Famous Eyewear

An appealing brand name to successfully market the sunglasses was the only thing missing. At that time, the “Carrera Panamericana”, a sports car race in Mexico, was the most image-strengthening motorsport event in the world. Anger himself was a big fan of fast cars.

As the name CARRERA was not protected, the first “CARRERA” eyewear was produced in 1956. Furthermore, Porsche, who were also participating in the Carrera Panamericana, had not trademarked the name. Both companies came to an agreement which allowed them to both continue using the name. Wilhelm Anger immediately recognized how effective prominent athletes were in advertising and equipped numerous top athletes with his Carrera eyewear. The sales success was enormous and Carrera became THE sports eyewear par excellence.

Carrera Eyewear Becomes a Lifestyle Accessory

But that alone was not enough for Anger. Together with his company, he further developed Carrera eyewear and was soon covering a wide interest from purchasers. There were Carrera sunglasses for men, Carrera sunglasses for women, Carrera sports glasses, Carrera glacier glasses and one could even soon find Carrera frames for prescription lenses.

As a result of sophisticated marketing, Carrera Sport sunglasses developed over decades into lifestyle sunglasses which were also increasingly seen in films.

In 1996, the CARRERA sunglasses were transferred to the Safilo Group. They still reproduce the old Carrera models today.

That is why we are especially proud to offer original vintage Optyl Carrera sunglasses in our shop.