Examining the Architecture of the Art Deco Automobile

The North Carolina Museum of Art celebrates the beauty of Art Deco automotive design.

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Before there was Modern with a capital M, there was Art Deco, a movement in art and design marked by sinuous curves and ornate geometric designs. Now the North Carolina Museum of Art is looking at this early modern style with the exhibition Rolling Sculpture: Art Deco Cars From the 1930s and '40s.

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, Courtesy of the RPW Collection, Denver, Coloro 

Michael Furman

The exhibition, which runs from October 1, 2016 through January 15, 2017, examines this glamorous period in industrial design through the cars of the era. The designs include sleek new forms influenced by the then-novel field of airplane design. 

1930 Henderson KJ Streamline, Collection of Frank Westfall, Ner-A-Car Museum, Syracuse, New York

Peter Harholdt

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The exhibition includes fourteen cars and three motorcycles dating from 1930 to 1941, the decade that brought such architectural icons as the Chrysler Building (1930) and Rockefeller Center (1933).

1935 Bugatti Aérolithe, Collection of Chris Ohrstrom

Joe Wiecha

The North Carolina Museum of Art is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, North Carolina.

1936 Stout Scarab, Collection of Ron Schneider

Peter Harholdt 


1936 Voisin C28 Clairière, Collection of Peter and Merle Mullin

Michael Furman


1940 Tatra T87, Collection of Chris Ohrstrom

Peter Harholdt 


1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Teardrop, Collection of J. W. Marriott, Jr.;

Peter Harholdt 


1934 BMW R7 Concept Motorcycle, BMW Classic Collection

Peter Harholdt 

1930 Ruxton Model C Sedan, The Richard H. Driehaus Collection at Chicago Vintage Motor Carriage

Peter Harholdt 


1936 Peugeot 402 Darl’mat Coupe, Jim Patterson/The Patterson Collection

Michael Furman 


1934 Packard Twelve Model 1106, Collection of Bob, Sandy, and Gary Bahre

Peter Harholdt 


1941 Indian Model 441, Collection of Duane Vanfleet

Peter Harholdt 


1934 Edsel Ford’s Model 40 Speedster, Courtesy of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

Peter Harholdt 


1935 Chrysler Imperial Model C-2 Airflow, Collection of John and Lynn Heimerl, Suffolk, Virginia.

Peter Harholdt 

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