Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas

by Sarah Schleuning & Ken Gross

A sensuously designed showcase of covetable concept or limited-edition cars by the best American and European manufacturers. Dream Cars presents some of the world's most breathtaking concept cars built between 1934 and 2001, a series of visionary designs that influenced the automotive industry and challenged notions of what is possible both aesthetically and technologically. Stunning all-new photography of design pioneers such as the 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Aerolithe, the 1951 LeSabre concept car, and the 1954 Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 7 accompany lush images of dream sports cars, including the 1970 Ferrari Modulo and the 1955 Ghia Streamline X "Gilda." Meticulously restored and brought to life by all-new photography, these images trace a lineage of innovation in automobile design.

Comprehensive descriptions by celebrated automotive writer Ken Gross as well as drawings and scaled models further illustrate the imaginative force of individual designers and famed manufacturers. Surprising insights into familiar models like the minivan, based on the streamlined silhouette of the Stout Scarab concept car developed in 1936, are juxtaposed with startling new technologies such as the 2001 BMW GINA Light Visionary Model's ingenious use of fabric as a retractable skin. An extended essay by Sarah Schleuning explores the effects of aerodynamics and aeronautics on car design and considers how groundbreaking events-such as General Motors's Motorama-fueled the creativity of automobile styles.