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Courtesy photo

A 1938 Delage Pourtout Coupe is an example of the aerodynamic designs popular in Europe during the era.
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Courtesy photo

The awesome display of vintage automotive engineering at Phoenix Art Museum represents the finest in 20th century design and innovation. The ‘39 Delahaye 165 is the epitome of the art deco designs favored in the 1930s.
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Courtesy photo

The ‘51 SoCal Belly Tanker is fashioned from the gas tank of a surplus WW II P‑38 fighter plane and was a favorite of southern California hot rodders after the war.
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Performance and style in ‘Curves of Steel’
Rarest auto collection ever assembled graces the Phoenix Art Museum
by Jim Crawford

PHOENIX – Never has the old saying, “They don’t build ‘em like they used to,” been any more appropriate than at the “Curves of Steel” exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Twenty‑two of the rarest, most exotic, most streamlined automobiles you’ll ever see at one time are available for viewing until June 3.

The vision of the early 20th century designers, or “coachbuilders” as many of them were called, is amazing.

A quest for the perfect aerodynamic design, combined with performance and style, resulted in some beautiful, and in some cases, eccentric examples of ingenuity and craftsmanship.

The European cars from the 1930s are the most exotic and feature an art deco flair in their smooth, flowing designs. Some of those on display are the only existing models in the world and each is meticulously restored to original condition.

Upon entering the museum, the first thing visitors see is a 1936 Scout Scarab sitting in the lobby. Perhaps a precursor to the Volkswagen buses of the hippie era, the Scarab came complete with movable seats in the spacious rear passenger compartment and a varnished wicker headliner. The Scarab was truly ahead of its time as were many of the cars on display. Only nine of the Scarabs were ever made, and all for well‑to‑do clients as the price tag was a hefty $5,000, exhibit promotional material states.

A 1939 French‑made Delahaye 165 Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi rests elegantly on its pedestal.

The red roadster–long, curvy and sleek like a sexy seductress–is one of the highlights of the exhibit. Inspiration for the title of the exhibit could have easily come from eyeing this study of aerodynamics.

Make no mistake, all of the vehicles are truly beautiful and unique in their own way.

Even the race cars.

Also on display is a familiar vehicle to many hot rodders. The 1952 SoCal Belly Tanker, from the legendary SoCal Speed Shop in southern California, just plain looks fast, even sitting still. The body is fashioned from a surplus P‑38 fighter plane and has a vintage Mercury V‑8 flathead engine for power. In 1951, the car ran an incredible 198 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Pretty impressive for a homemade, non‑sponsored car.

A red 1941 Chrylser Thunderbolt is also on display. Billed as “the car of the future,” the Thunderbolt features a retractable top and enough chrome to rival any Cadillac.

Outside the main display room sits a Tucker ‘48 Billed as the “Car of Tomorrow,” the long, black sedan is one of only 51 ever produced.

The creator, Preston Tucker, became the subject of federal securities investigations and his dream of a low priced, rear engine family sedan was never fulfilled. With a price tag of less than $2,500, the Tucker aimed at the average family. There are a reported 47 of the Tuckers still in existence drawing upwards of $200,000 each.

The innovations of these early masterpieces make today’s lookalike models seem trite in comparison. There’s enough chrome to make any pimped‑out Cadillac Escalade want to hide in embarrassment. Huge tires, real wire wheels, retractable headlights, supercharged motors, and pushbutton door openers are just a few of the tricks applied to some of these early beauties.

One needs to visit the Phoenix Art Museum before the exhibit closes to fully absorb the awesome engineering and design innovations. There’s a very good chance you’ll never see anything like it in one place again.

For more information, visit phxart.org or call (602) 257‑1222.

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