Driving in Style: Alluring Autos 1930 - 1965

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Apr 2nd 2010 at 11:01AM

In conjunction with an exhibition titled The Allure of the Automobile which just opened at Atlanta's High Museum of Art, SkiraRizzoli will publish a book dedicated to the entrancing vehicles featured in it later this month. The Allure of the Automobile: Driving in Style 1930–1965 traces the evolution of the artisan-crafted luxury motorcar. Embodying speed, style, and elegance, the carefully selected vehicles first broke records on racetracks and won awards at prestigious classic car events around the world. Examining the contrasts between European and American design, the influence of the decorative arts, and the significant changes in automotive styling before and after World War II, the book highlights eighteen of the world's rarest and most coveted cars manufactured between 1930 and 1965.

In addition to the legendary Porsche Type 64, the exhibit and book features Steve McQueen's 1957 Jaguar XK-SS and Clark Gable's 1934 Packard Twelve Runabout Speedster, as well as a classic Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Bugatti Type 57S and more. Ronald Labaco, curator of the exhibition, provides historical context and pays homage to these remarkable machines that can be seen as fine art, sculpture, and the embodiment of an industrial craft to be remembered for generations, while extensive entries by noted automotive historian Ken Gross consider each masterpiece and Peter Harholdt's photography stunningly details the custom-built designs that were created for the privileged few. See the gallery for images.

Gallery: The Allure of the Automobile