Dream Cars by Rizzoli International Publications

DREAM CARS Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas

Sarah Schleuning

Ken Gross

High Museum of Art, Atlanta

CONTENTS Sarah Schleuning and Ken Gross 7

Acknowledgments Foreword

Michael E. Shapiro 9

Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas The Automobiles

Sarah Schleuning 12

Ken Gross 15

1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne

1934 Model 40 Special Speedster 1936 Stout Scarab

1951 LeSabre Concept Car

19 25

1954 Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 7

1955 Ghia Streamline X “Gilda”

1936 Bugatti Type 57 Aerolithe 35

1954 Firebird I

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt

1956 Buick Centurion

1959 Cadillac Cyclone

1942 L'Oeuf Electrique

1947 Norman Timbs Special

1970 Ferrari Modulo 99

1948 Panhard Dynavia

1970 Lancia Stratos Zero

1948 Tasco Prototype

2001 BMW GINA

105

109

Glossary of Technical Terms 115 Further Reading 121 Lenders to the Exhibition 123 Photo Credits 127

THE AUTOMOBILES Ken Gross

1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne Vantastic! William Bushnell Stout’s accomplishments included founding “Aerial Age,” the country’s first aviation magazine, in 1912! An accomplished technical journalist and engineer, Stout’s design for the lightweight Imp cyclecar for the Scripps-Booth Company led to a sales management job at Packard, and then the Chief Engineer’s position in Packard’s fledgling aircraft division Stout’s advanced work on internally-braced, braced cantilever-wing aircraft pioneered the development of all-metal airplanes and led to the Stout Air Sedan. After Henry Ford purchased Stout Engineering in 1924, Stout’s 3-AT aircraft design evolved into the sturdy Ford Tri-Motor. In 1929, Stout Air Services, a Midwest-based passenger airline, was purchased by United Air Lines. Stout began creating a radical sedan concept in the early 1930s. Drawing on his extensive aeronautical background, Stout believed the use of aircraft construction techniques would result in a futuristic car that would go faster and be more economical than a conventional auto. He envisioned a smooth, slightly tapered and, for its era, a startling shape. A tubular frame, covered with aluminum panels, surrounded the Scarab’s rear-mounted flathead V-8 engine. A Ford three-speed transmission with a custom transfer case, and a six-row chain, powered the rear wheels. In what has since become modern practice, the wheels were located at the corners of the vehicle. Stout’s front independent coil spring suspension design anticipated today’s MacPherson strut setup. The rear suspension was comprised of twin transverse leaf springs. The Scarab’s roomy passenger compartment was positioned within the car’s wheelbase. Access to the interior was through a central door on the

1934 Model 40 Special Speedster Vantastic! William Bushnell Stout’s accomplishments included founding “Aerial Age,” the country’s first aviation magazine, in 1912! An accomplished technical journalist and engineer, Stout’s design for the lightweight Imp cyclecar for the Scripps-Booth Company led to a sales management job at Packard, and then the Chief Engineer’s position in Packard’s fledgling aircraft division Stout’s advanced work on internally-braced, braced cantilever-wing aircraft pioneered the development of all-metal airplanes and led to the Stout Air Sedan. After Henry Ford purchased Stout Engineering in 1924, Stout’s 3-AT aircraft design evolved into the sturdy Ford Tri-Motor. In 1929, Stout Air Services, a Midwest-based passenger airline, was purchased by United Air Lines. Stout began creating a radical sedan concept in the early 1930s. Drawing on his extensive aeronautical background, Stout believed the use of aircraft construction techniques would result in a futuristic car that would go faster and be more economical than a conventional auto. He envisioned a smooth, slightly tapered and, for its era, a startling shape. A tubular frame, covered with aluminum panels, surrounded the Scarab’s rear-mounted flathead V-8 engine. A Ford three-speed transmission with a custom transfer case, and a six-row chain, powered the rear wheels. In what has since become modern practice, the wheels were located at the corners of the vehicle. Stout’s front independent coil spring suspension design anticipated today’s MacPherson strut setup. The rear suspension was comprised of twin transverse leaf springs. The Scarab’s roomy passenger compartment was positioned within the car’s wheelbase. Access to the interior was through a central door on the

1936 Stout Scarab Vantastic! William Bushnell Stout’s accomplishments included founding “Aerial Age,” the country’s first aviation magazine, in 1912! An accomplished technical journalist and engineer, Stout’s design for the lightweight Imp cyclecar for the Scripps-Booth Company led to a sales management job at Packard, and then the Chief Engineer’s position in Packard’s fledgling aircraft division Stout’s advanced work on internally-braced, braced cantilever-wing aircraft pioneered the development of all-metal airplanes and led to the Stout Air Sedan. After Henry Ford purchased Stout Engineering in 1924, Stout’s 3-AT aircraft design evolved into the sturdy Ford Tri-Motor. In 1929, Stout Air Services, a Midwest-based passenger airline, was purchased by United Air Lines. Stout began creating a radical sedan concept in the early 1930s. Drawing on his extensive aeronautical background, Stout believed the use of aircraft construction techniques would result in a futuristic car that would go faster and be more economical than a conventional auto. He envisioned a smooth, slightly tapered and, for its era, a startling shape. A tubular frame, covered with aluminum panels, surrounded the Scarab’s rear-mounted flathead V-8 engine. A Ford three-speed transmission with a custom transfer case, and a six-row chain, powered the rear wheels. In what has since become modern practice, the wheels were located at the corners of the vehicle. Stout’s front independent coil spring suspension design anticipated today’s MacPherson strut setup. The rear suspension was comprised of twin transverse leaf springs. The Scarab’s roomy passenger compartment was positioned within the car’s wheelbase. Access to the interior was through a central door on the

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt Vantastic! William Bushnell Stout’s accomplishments included founding “Aerial Age,” the country’s first aviation magazine, in 1912! An accomplished technical journalist and engineer, Stout’s design for the lightweight Imp cyclecar for the Scripps-Booth Company led to a sales management job at Packard, and then the Chief Engineer’s position in Packard’s fledgling aircraft division Stout’s advanced work on internally-braced, braced cantilever-wing aircraft pioneered the development of all-metal airplanes and led to the Stout Air Sedan. After Henry Ford purchased Stout Engineering in 1924, Stout’s 3-AT aircraft design evolved into the sturdy Ford Tri-Motor. In 1929, Stout Air Services, a Midwest-based passenger airline, was purchased by United Air Lines. Stout began creating a radical sedan concept in the early 1930s. Drawing on his extensive aeronautical background, Stout believed the use of aircraft construction techniques would result in a futuristic car that would go faster and be more economical than a conventional auto. He envisioned a smooth, slightly tapered and, for its era, a startling shape. A tubular frame, covered with aluminum panels, surrounded the Scarab’s rear-mounted flathead V-8 engine. A Ford three-speed transmission with a custom transfer case, and a six-row chain, powered the rear wheels. In what has since become modern practice, the wheels were located at the corners of the vehicle. Stout’s front independent coil spring suspension design anticipated today’s MacPherson strut setup. The rear suspension was comprised of twin transverse leaf springs. The Scarab’s roomy passenger compartment was positioned within the car’s wheelbase. Access to the interior was through a central door on the

1951 LeSabre Concept Car Vantastic! William Bushnell Stout’s accomplishments included founding “Aerial Age,” the country’s first aviation magazine, in 1912! An accomplished technical journalist and engineer, Stout’s design for the lightweight Imp cyclecar for the Scripps-Booth Company led to a sales management job at Packard, and then the Chief Engineer’s position in Packard’s fledgling aircraft division Stout’s advanced work on internally-braced, braced cantilever-wing aircraft pioneered the development of all-metal airplanes and led to the Stout Air Sedan. After Henry Ford purchased Stout Engineering in 1924, Stout’s 3-AT aircraft design evolved into the sturdy Ford Tri-Motor. In 1929, Stout Air Services, a Midwest-based passenger airline, was purchased by United Air Lines. Stout began creating a radical sedan concept in the early 1930s. Drawing on his extensive aeronautical background, Stout believed the use of aircraft construction techniques would result in a futuristic car that would go faster and be more economical than a conventional auto. He envisioned a smooth, slightly tapered and, for its era, a startling shape. A tubular frame, covered with aluminum panels, surrounded the Scarab’s rear-mounted flathead V-8 engine. A Ford three-speed transmission with a custom transfer case, and a six-row chain, powered the rear wheels. In what has since become modern practice, the wheels were located at the corners of the vehicle. Stout’s front independent coil spring suspension design anticipated today’s MacPherson strut setup. The rear suspension was comprised of twin transverse leaf springs. The Scarab’s roomy passenger compartment was positioned within the car’s wheelbase. Access to the interior was through a central door on the