I find this thread both interesting and educational. These are the two examples of Art Deco/Streamline Moderne cars pictured on Wikipedia.
Things like hood ornaments, grilles, dashboards, mouldings- pretty much all of the "decoration" on American cars was some sort of Art Deco styling element- all the way from the mid/late 30's, to the early 50's. No doubt the '40 Ford and the '46 Ford are different, but to me, the Jet Age/ Space Age is the definitive departure from all of the "streamlining" and machine age aesthetic that probably started developing in the 1920's and remained an influence into the early 50's on American cars.When things got really different is when Harley Earl started adopting the look of Jet powered aircraft, and the look of early Sputnik/NASA spacecraft. All of these "movements": Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Streamline Moderne, came from the artist/intellectual/ architectural community- and started mostly in Europe. The formal definition of Streamline Moderne was for (automotive) design between 1936 to 1941. This is a little wobbly as it leaves out the '35 ford even though it has the same sculpted lines as the '36 and so on. It also excludes the 1935 Auburn. What was most distinctive about Streamline Moderne was that it was a clean, steamlined style with minimal ornamentation. The Cord 810/812, the Airflow, and maybe the '37 Ford are the best examples I would guess. Hard edges, speed lines, and parallel slots/bars are obvious Art Deco styling motifs and were used both within Streamline Moderne and on American automobiles up until the early 50's. The grill of the '41-'46 Chevy truck is an obvious example and understandably what prompted this entire conversation. American Automotive Design was it's own, unique animal- and I doubt that individuals like Earl bought into formal definitions handed down from the intellectual community. Streamline Moderne is best represented by flowing, organic curves, and minimal decoration. Art Deco originally used geometric shapes, hard edges, and parallel "speed" lines. Even the bullnose filet on this radio is consistent and machine like. Looks alot like a '46-'48 Ford.
It's the car driven by Captain Nemo in League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Nemo's car, but he never actually drove it in the film.
You know, just looking through these pages really makes you wonder where we went wrong with automotive design. I know styles change, but the craftsmanship that was so obvious before, now is nowhere to be found. It's like cars aren't even designed by car guys anymore.
A bit off topic but I'm watching Indiana Jones and noticing all the great Art Deco stuff. I.J. 1 & 2 are great examples of Art Deco (especially #2). Also a newer movie but COMPLETELY Deco/ Steamline is "Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow". Just a random thought and selfless bump on a thread I love.
This thread keeps getting better and better! Some of those European designs from the 1930's just blow me away. Thanks to all who have posted. Please keep 'em comin'!
Chrysler seems the only auto maker trying to keep the machine age / Deco style alive. Subtle but it's there.
Round door Rolls Royce. Note the glass! More here.... http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2851/Rolls-Royce-Phantom-I-Jonckheere-Coupe.html
Art Deco is basically Modernism without the theoretical substructure, that is, Modernism popularized but reduced to decoration. As I said in another post, sometimes we like things because they're failed or in some way not for real. Deco is a case in point. I'm much more sympathetic to Deco than to full-blown Modernism. Clumsy pseudo-Modernism is a lot easier to stomach than real Modernism. Real Modernism can be nasty, it can cause damage. Here are some of my experiments in Art Deco: I'd posted the first one before. Sorry about the bad scan of the second.
I always enjoyed the International KB series and Diamond T heavy trucks, the custom LeBatts delivery trucks, and those Texaco fuel tanker trucks that I cannot remember the model of.
Uuum....'Deco' good. 'Deco' 'cool. Me like 'Art Deco' mart3406 =========================================
Big fan of the deco style to. This is a motorcycle thou, hope you don't mind. A little 535 virago i built for a lady friend's first ride. Made the fenders, gas tank, side panels,etc. Tailor made to fit her 5 ft frame. Was fun to build on a real tight budget.
Just for grins -"The Exciting New 1948 HENWAY 'Colossus'"!! <art3406(official henway="" motors="" corporate=""> Mart3406 (Official Henway Motors Corporate Historian and Archivist) ========================================</art3406(official>
I'm glad to see this old thread pop up again. Here are some of Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky's amazingly cool art deco beer trucks....
Here´s a deco motorcycle for you. Built in 1936... http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/feat...eco-henderson/
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