By the 1930s, automakers were beginning to incorporate aerodynamic design into styling their news cars. At a special exhibit at the Portland Art Museum called The Shape of Speed: Streamlined Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1930-1942, several aerodynamic production European cars were included.
1938 Tatra T77A
Tatras were manufactured in Czechoslovakia and were respected for their high quality and innovative engineering. According to the display:
“The car’s relatively short front end was combined with an arched roofline that gracefully sloped into a long fastback tail. With integrated fenders and a full undertray (belly pan), wind resistance was dramatically reduced, and the relatively modest power plant was able to achieve excellent performance and low fuel consumption. The prominent rear dorsal find ensured high-speed stability.”
The center headlamp turned with the steering. It was powered by a 3.4-liter V-8 engine. Only 167 cars of this model were sold.
1939 Steyr 55 “Baby”
The German Steyr 55 was manufactured by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG. This small car, described as cute and fat, had good seating, luggage space, and stylish “suicide” front doors. Between 1938 and when World War II ended production, some 13,000 “Baby” models were sold. According to the display:
“As a company, Steyr dates back to 1829. They manufactured sporting and military rifles until after World War I. The Steyr badge represents a target. A Volkswagen competitor before World War II, the Steyr 55 is shorter but has more room inside for passengers and luggage.”
1939 Panhard and Levassor Type X81 Dynamic Sedan
Panhard and Levassor began building automobiles in the nineteenth century and prior to World War II was one of the most successful French automakers. The coachwork of the X81 was designed by Louis Bionier. A wide automobile, it was originally designed to have the steering wheel in the center, allowing passengers to sit on both sides of the driver. The center steering wheel designed proved to be two radical and so later models had left-hand steering.
The display describes the coachwork this way:
“The swoopy X81 saloon appears to be moving while at rest. Skirted fenders all around, ‘suicide’ front doors, fluted bumpers and an elegant grille with matching headlamps were just a few of this car’s exquisite styling details. The X81 was the first luxury French car with electrically welded, monocoque body.”
1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Bertone Berlinetta
Alfa Romeo, one of Italy’s best-known carmakers, was established in Milan in 1910. In spite of the hostilities of World War II, Alfa Romeo introduced the 6C 2500 in 1942 and continued to build the car for privileged clients until 1943. According to the display:
“The sleek berlinetta’s low roofline and tapered tail represent streamlining at its very best and may have influenced the postwar Bentley Continental.”
More Automobiles
Shape of Speed: An Overview (Photo Diary)
Shape of Speed: Some Unique American Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Extinct Automobiles of the 1930s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Fords and Chevys of the 1930s in America's Car Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1930s in America's Car Museum (Photo Diary)
LeMay Family Collection: Cars of the 1930s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1930s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1930s (Photo Diary)
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