Cruise worthy. Auto go.

Proof some mirages do exist. Dreams touched.

Like an ocean wave. Delahaye 135 Roadster by French coach builders Figoni and Falaschi for 1937 Paris Auto Show. All aluminum body, red leather interior by Hermes. Plenty of horsepower with a disappearing front windshield. Sleek fluid chrome details were signature. You’d have to shell out some for that one.©

Appropriately tagged “Sculpted in Steel” the classic grace and luxury of Art Deco vehicles draws admirers even today.

Flight worthy: Hispano-SuizaH6B Dubonnet”Xenia” coupe. Birkgit’s auto and aircraft engineering company had a reputation for not only mechanical durability, but also speed, performance, and luxury. Designer Jean Andreau, who designed avant-guard streamlined aircraft and cars, worked with Parisian coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik to build this one to look resemble an airplane with even the interior mimicking an airplane’s cockpit.  ©

Nothing like a pretty face. “Xenia” coupe. Named after the designer’s late wife.©

Eat your heart out, Batman.©

Multiple reasons why these innovative dramatic cars would have no chance of hitting the road today:

• First, no broads.  Not talking about women. No plus sizes of any sort to warm these snug leather seats. Did people try on cars like we try on shoes? Can insurance companies deny claims for weight loss treatments in order to fit into a classy car? Hobbies are healthy, right?

This racy one’s mine. Now if you’ll just distract the guards. 1934 Edsel Fords Model 40 Special Speedster. Designed by styling chief E.T. “Bob”  Gregorie with Ford Aircraft Division fabricators. One of a kind made for Edsel B. Ford.©

• Not your slap together quick-build vending machine cars. No “pick one from the pictures and it will be here next week.” Each of these classics were hand-made. Good, no, great things came to those who waited.
•  Marketing departments would go nuts or disappear. Forget driving in crowds of eager buyers. Why advertise? Limited editions command high prices, so do the finest of materials. The problem would be scale of production. During this era of auto design, runs of car models were often limited to one to ten cars in total. Although exclusive designs still appeal to those who can afford them, customized existing models and cosmetics satisfy. Not the same.

The neighbors would be green with envy over this Chrysler Imperial Model C2 Airflow Coupe in your driveway.©

• Chrome in its’ place. These cars were sleek, streamlined, with a good deal of influence from the aviation and industry. (Before NASA was even dreamed of.) Aerodynamics was as important as shiny. Grilles, headlamps, hood ornaments were part of the original cars’ concepts and designs, not aftermarket stick-ons to fancy up a dull vehicle ’cause that’s all you can afford.
• Then there’s the freeways – which are anything but living up to their name. Endless lanes of crawling along, bumper car games, and the jerks (meaning “stop and go” as well as the drivers…) Repair costs on these sleek beauties would be sky high even if detailed oriented craftsmen could be found. Fine work takes forever complete. Not for fast paced consumers today. Don’t even get started on road rage possibilities.

Ready to sweep you off your feet. Talbot-Lago T150 C-SS Teardrop Coupe.©

Another pretty face. Sparkle, Baby. Bush on the cheeks or ruby-red nail polish is always classic.©

• Regulations might keep them parked. These vehicles are heavy weights, but built for speed. There weren’t any crumple zones, headrests, airbags, or seat belts. Not for wimps or the overly protective.

Gleaming beauty. This hood shape is often called a “coffin nose” by gear heads.  Just coincidence, I’m sure.©

• Comfort zone limits. Seriously. People had to actually crank windows up and down or push them open at the bottom. Primitive. Exhausting.

Ready to bug out in this classy Bugatti? We’ll made do without the back up cameras.©

Of course the paparazzi will follow, but you can outrun them.©

The years between the 1920s-1930s produced some of the most elegant, creative auto designs ever.

Glamor, grace, and innovation.

Machine inspired. Artistically desired.

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is featuring some of the best in their latest exhibit, “Sculpted in Steel: Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles 1929-1940.”

Art Deco styling influenced everything from fashion, fine arts, architecture and autos.

Proof world doesn’t have to be ugly and stark to function.

All a matter of choice and desire.

(The word “desire” somehow seems most appropriate for these cars.)

Wait until you see the really wild designs. Next time, the unusual ones. HA!

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Some Hollywood glam. Just seems to have petticoats and a Pin-up Girl attitude. 1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet©

This car should cause a few ripples. Probably turned heads. Once owned by Frank Lloyd Wright. What a great car for prom.©

 

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