High Museum Dream Cars

UPDATE: FULL OPENING DAY PHOTO GALLERY HERE

From May 21 through September 7, 2014 the High Museum of Art in Atlanta will be exhibiting 19 of the most creative and important concept car designs since the inception of the automobile itself. Below is an excerpt from the High Museum as well as images and descriptions of each of the cars involved in the exhibition. The High Museum dream cars exhibit is a true blend of art and functional car ingenuity.

The High Museum of Art will present a major exhibition of innovative automotive design that will bring together 17 concept cars from across Europe and the U.S. On view from May 21 through Sept. 7, 2014, “Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas” will feature concept cars from the early 1930s to the 21st century that pushed the limits of imagination and foreshadowed the future of design.

The exhibition will pair conceptual drawings, patents and scale models with realized cars, demonstrating how their experimental designs advanced ideas of progress and changed the automobile from an object of function to a symbol of future possibilities.

Concept cars are a way for automakers, coachbuilders and independent designers to showcase and demonstrate innovative and progressive designs. Most concept cars are never intended for series production and are created as a way to explore ideas through styling and design aesthetics, as well as experiment with new technology.

HERE IS A LINK TO THE HIGH MUSEUM WEBSITE

Stout Scarab, 1936 William Stout (American, 1880–1956), designer Stout Motor Car Company, American, 1932–1942

L’Oeuf électrique, 1942 Paul Arzens (French, 1903-1990), designer and fabricator

Norman Timbs Special, 1947 Norman Timbs (American, 1917-1993), designer Attributed to Emil Diedt, fabricator

General Motors Firebird I XP-21, 1953 Harley J. Earl (American, 1893 -1969), designer Robert F. “Bob” McLean (American, life dates unknown), and Styling Section Staff, designers General Motors Corporation, American, founded 1908, manufacturer

Chrysler (Ghia) Streamline X “Gilda”, 1955 Giovanni Savonuzzi (Italian, 1911-1987), designer Virgil Exner (American, 1909-1973), designer Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A., Italian, founded 1915, fabricator Collaboration with Chrysler Corporation, American, founded 1925

Ferrari (Pininfarina) 512 S Modulo, 1970 Paolo Martin (Italian, b. 1943), designer Pininfarina S.p.A., Italian, founded 1930, fabricator Collaboration with Ferrari S.p.A., Italian, founded 1947

Lancia (Bertone) Stratos HF Zero, 1970 Marcello Gandini (Italian, born 1938), designer Gruppo Bertone (Italian, founded 1912), fabricator Lancia Automobiles S.p.A., Italian, founded 1906, producer

BMW GINA Light Visonary Model, 2001 Christopher Bangle (American, born 1956), designer Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW), German, founded 1916, manufacturer

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept Car, 2010 Michael Mauer (German, born 1962) and Porsche Design Studio, designers Porsche Automobil Holding SE, German, founded 1931, manufacturer

Bugatti Type 57S Compétition Coupé Aerolithe, 1935 (2007-2013) Jean Bugatti (French, born Italy, 1909-1939), designer Joseph Walter, designer The Guild of Automotive Restorers, Canadian, founded 1990, fabricator