A new exhibit titled “Allure of the Automobile” runs at the High Museum March 21 through June 20, 2010. In what many consider to be the Golden Age of motorcars, Allure of the Automobile footprints the progression and transformation of the auto from 1930 to 1965. With 18 examples of auto-making perfection this should be one of the most exciting Atlanta events of the year.
Many of the automobiles on display are elite, custom machines built with the finest craftsmanship of the era. Inside the exhibit will be awe inspiring vintage cars such as the 1957 Jaguar XKSS that was previously owned by Steve McQueen and won 24 hours of Le Mans in 1955, ’56, and ’57. Unbelievably, only sixteen of these gems were produced before all the dies along with the factory were destroyed.
Other works of art on display include the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Prototype and the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster. The ’59 Corvette was the original designed by Bill Mitchell and featured fuel injection, independent suspension and inboard brakes. Elvis Presley dove a ’63 C2 Corvette very similar to it in the movie Clam Bake. Mercedes-Benz began production of fast touring cars in the 1930′s. Their pinnacle of achievement was the 1937 540K that had a 5.4 liter, eight cylinder big-bore engine that generated 180 horsepower. With top speeds over a hundred miles per hour this was the fastest production motorcar of its time.
The event takes a look at the artistic design and engineering triumphs of the automobiles up to and through World War II when France led the way in luxury vehicles. After the war other European nations led the way developing smaller and sportier cars. A shining example on display would be the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. This breathtaking car rocketed to over 300 km/h with its 2982 cc power plant that cranked out over 300 horsepower. This car won all the the major road races in 1955 including the Swedish Grand Prix, Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, Tourist Trophy, and Eifelrennen. Shockingly, the car maker felt it wasn’t the right time for this sporty masterpiece and it was never put into production.
One of the coolest looking sports cars to be shown at exhibition may be the 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. It was a graceful beauty and automotive classic designed by Davis Brown. In an attempt to beat put competitors such as Ferrari, Aston Martin hired Zagato from Turin to help with the overall design. Although the DB4 Zagato never matched up with the Ferraris, the car will go down in history as one the most memorable and fun cars to drive.
Other vintage motorcars on display at the High Museum include Bugatti, Duesenberg, Packard, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, and Pierce. The “Allure of the Automobile” is the first exhibit to analyze and present the different styles and craftsmanship during the Pre-War and Post-War design movements.
To learn more about exhibits and other events at the High Museum of Art go here.
