By the 1930s, American and European 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 unique, one-of-a-kind European cars were displayed.
1935 Bugatti Type 57 Aérolithe
In the early 1930s, the Depression had impacted the luxury automobile market in France. Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean brought out the Type 57 model in 1934 to help their company survive. In 1935, Bugatti introduced a streamlined sports model for the Paris and London motor shows. The press dubbed the sports model Aérolithe (Meteorite). Two Aérolithe coupes were built and neither survives. Shown below is a recreation of the Aérolithe done by the Guild Automotive Restorers in Bradford, Ontario.
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540Z Stromlinienwagen
The Mercedes-Benz 540Z Stromlinienwagen was built as a test vehicle for the German branch of the Dunlop Tire Company. The car was designed by Hermann Ahrens. According to the museum display:
“The streamlined coupe was developed for a proposed Berlin-Rome road race, intended to rival Italy’s Mille Miglia. But the event was cancelled in 1939, due to hostilities.”
More from the Shape of Speed
Shape of Speed: An Overview (Photo Diary)
Shape of Speed: Some Unique American Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Shape of Speed: Some European Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Shape of Speed: Some American Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Shape of Speed: Custom European Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Shape of Speed: Motorcycles (Photo Diary)