How They Built Cars When Beauty Was All That Mattered

[blueline]

The 21 pics are worth every second of the few minutes you'll spend. Magnificent.

"See the Gorgeous Streamlined Cars of the Vero Beach Museum of Art's Rolling Sculpture Exhibit"

"Art Deco meets aerodynamics at this new Florida exhibit"

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/class ... e-exhibit/

[audi4t]

A few years ago I saw an exhibit of Ralph Lauren’s car collection at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts - absolutely amazing !!!!

Similarly I went to a motor cycle exhibition at MOMA in New York City - all I can say is there were attendees at that exhibition who had never been in a museum in their life before

The bottom line is there are modes of transportation that are definitely works of art !

[blueline]

A few years ago I saw an exhibit of Ralph Lauren’s car collection at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts - absolutely amazing !!!!

Similarly I went to a motor cycle exhibition at MOMA in New York City - all I can say is there were attendees at that exhibition who had never been in a museum in their life before

The bottom line is there are modes of transportation that are definitely works of art !

Most definitely! I've seen many of these cars and motorcycles at a similar museum exhibit several years ago. Might have been the same rolling exhibit, actually. Simply amazing works of art to see in person.

I would suggest to anyone reading this to not miss seeing them if the opportunity ever arises.

[blueline]

Amelia Earhart, her 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible and the Lockheed Electra shortly before her ill-fated attempt to fly that incredible aircraft around the world in 1937.

After a 30-year intense restoration and acquisition project, her Cord Phaeton was revealed to the world last week on March 5th at the 2023 Amelia Concours d’Elegance in Florida, at which time it was announced that the spectacular automobile had been added to the National Historic Vehicle Register.

Some excellent photos of the car in the Hagerty article! The instrument panel and the gauges are alone worth the look.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/amel ... d568259d8a

Amelia Earhart - 1937 Cord - Lockheed Electra .jpeg (95.4 KiB) Viewed 3167 times

[Norville]

The Art Deco / Streamliner cars are some of the best ever. I’m partial to this one:

https://www.petersen.org/rollsroyce-round-door

[blueline]

The Art Deco / Streamliner cars are some of the best ever. I’m partial to this one:

https://www.petersen.org/rollsroyce-round-door

Those doors!!!

It's almost impossible to explain the levels of design, quality, and craftsmanship built into a car like that to someone without them seeing it in person. Even better would be to have the ability to just sit in one and to touch surfaces and mechanical parts, which of course is impossible in a museum piece like that. I wouldn't have to drive it but hearing it run would be awesome too.

To me, cars and aircraft of that nature represent much of the best art ever, on a higher level than any painting or other art object.

[Norville]

The Art Deco / Streamliner cars are some of the best ever. I’m partial to this one:

https://www.petersen.org/rollsroyce-round-door

Those doors!!!

It's almost impossible to explain the levels of design, quality, and craftsmanship built into a car like that to someone without them seeing it in person. Even better would be to have the ability to just sit in one and to touch surfaces and mechanical parts, which of course is impossible in a museum piece like that. I wouldn't have to drive it but hearing it run would be awesome too.

To me, cars and aircraft of that nature represent much of the best art ever, on a higher level than any painting or other art object.

Agree wholeheartedly. The story on this one is amazing:

<snipped from the link>

Aerodynamic Coupe by Jonckheere

The exotic “Round Door” Rolls-Royce was delivered new in 1925 with a Hooper Cabriolet body to its first owner, a Mrs. Hugh Dillman of Detroit. It appears never to have left England and was re-sold when still virtually new to the Raja of Nanpara. In about 1934 a subsequent owner sent the car to Jonckheere of Belgium to be fitted with fashionably aerodynamic coachwork complete with twin sunroofs, round doors, a large fin, and a sloping radiator shell. Once thought to have been owned by the Duke of Windsor, the concours-winning car then passed through the hands of several other owners before being discovered in New Jersey in the early-1950s in near derelict condition. Max Obie later acquired the unusual Rolls-Royce, had it painted gold, and charged curious individuals one dollar to enter a special enclosure to look at the car. The Phantom I then spent time on the East Coast of the United States and in Japan before coming into the possession of the Petersen Automotive Museum in the spring of 2001.

[blueline]

The Art Deco / Streamliner cars are some of the best ever. I’m partial to this one:

https://www.petersen.org/rollsroyce-round-door

Those doors!!!

It's almost impossible to explain the levels of design, quality, and craftsmanship built into a car like that to someone without them seeing it in person. Even better would be to have the ability to just sit in one and to touch surfaces and mechanical parts, which of course is impossible in a museum piece like that. I wouldn't have to drive it but hearing it run would be awesome too.

To me, cars and aircraft of that nature represent much of the best art ever, on a higher level than any painting or other art object.

Agree wholeheartedly. The story on this one is amazing:

<snipped from the link>

Aerodynamic Coupe by Jonckheere

The exotic “Round Door” Rolls-Royce was delivered new in 1925 with a Hooper Cabriolet body to its first owner, a Mrs. Hugh Dillman of Detroit. It appears never to have left England and was re-sold when still virtually new to the Raja of Nanpara. In about 1934 a subsequent owner sent the car to Jonckheere of Belgium to be fitted with fashionably aerodynamic coachwork complete with twin sunroofs, round doors, a large fin, and a sloping radiator shell. Once thought to have been owned by the Duke of Windsor, the concours-winning car then passed through the hands of several other owners before being discovered in New Jersey in the early-1950s in near derelict condition. Max Obie later acquired the unusual Rolls-Royce, had it painted gold, and charged curious individuals one dollar to enter a special enclosure to look at the car. The Phantom I then spent time on the East Coast of the United States and in Japan before coming into the possession of the Petersen Automotive Museum in the spring of 2001.

What a story. A completely one-off car, all memories and knowledge of which would have been lost without a bit of luck and a desire (money too!) to get it back to where it once was.

It's a bit painful to think about what has been lost, never to be found, but I'm thrilled that a car like this Rolls (and many others) have been found and preserved. Unbelievable works of love and unimaginable levels of restoration and subsequent preservation.

[audi4t]

711EC3A0-3F05-4BA7-A731-8518921CA186.png (2.23 MiB) Viewed 3132 times

This Bugatti is part of Ralph Lauren’s collection, which I saw in person several years ago.

One of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen.

Many panels are magnesium which is why they are riveted - magnesium and welding don’t get along.

[blueline]

711EC3A0-3F05-4BA7-A731-8518921CA186.png

This Bugatti is part of Ralph Lauren’s collection, which I saw in person several years ago.

One of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen.

Many panels are magnesium which is why they are riveted - magnesium and welding don’t get along.

It's hard to imagine someone creative and skilled enough to design a car like this. And it wasn't just all design good looks. These were magnificent machines in every respect in their day. I imagine it's quite a treat to see this car in person as well as the previous Rolls and so many others.

I'm so glad these cars exist. Glorious!

Another view.

1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic.jpeg (728.56 KiB) Viewed 3124 times