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Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery

Front:1936 Delahaye 135M Figoni & Falaschi Competition Coupe. Back: 1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster

The Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles exhibit is presently on display at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee through September 15, 2013. The first fine art museum exhibition devoted to vehicles of the Art Deco era, Sensuous Steel highlights 18 automobiles and two motorcycles from the 1930s and ’40s.

Curated by Ken Gross from some of the most renowned car collectors and collections in the automotive world, the iconic vehicles in Sensuous Steel display the classic grace and modern luxury of Art Deco design.

Among a museum full of notable and important vehicles, examples include Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1929 Cord L-29 Cabriolet; a 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, one of three survivors; a special Delahaye 135MS created by coachbuilders Joseph Figoni and Ovidio Falaschi for the 1937 Paris Auto Salon; a 1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe; the airplane-like 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet “Xenia” Coupe; the 1939 Bugatti Type 57C by Vanvooren gifted by France as a wedding present to the future Shah of Iran and the very first “New York-style” 1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Teardrop Coupe.

“Rapidly changing and ever-evolving, the automobile became the perfect metal canvas upon which industrial designers expressed the vital spirit of the interwar period,” explained Guest Curator Ken Gross. “To give the illusion of dramatic movement and forward thrust, cars of the 1930s and ’40s merged gentle curves with angular edges. These automobiles were made from the finest materials and sported beautifully crafted ornamentation, geometric grillwork, and the elegant miniature statuary of hood ornaments. The classic cars of the Art Deco age remain today as among the most visually exciting, iconic and refined designs of the twentieth century.”

The Frist reported nearly 6,000 visitors for the opening weekend, one of the most successful openings in its history, with lines out the door and visitors from all over the country traveling to Nashville specifically to see the magnificent automobiles and motorcycles on display at Sensuous Steel.

The Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles exhibit is on display in the Center’s Ingram Gallery through September 15, 2013. Admission is free for Frist Center members and $10.00 for adults. Visitors 18 and younger are admitted free of charge. Advance tickets can be purchased on site at the Frist Center. Frist Center members may reserve tickets by calling the Frist Center Member Hotline at 615.744.3248. During the run of Sensuous Steel, Nashville’s Lane Motor Museum and the Frist Center will offer reciprocal admission discounts when ticket stubs are presented. Each ticket stub from the Lane Motor Museum is good for one half-price admission at the Frist, and each Frist Center ticket stub can be used at the Lane Motor Museum to receive a discount on a single ticket. For additional information, visit www.fristcenter.org.

Photographer Bruce Sweetman documented the June 14, 2013 opening of the Sensuous Steel exhibit, offering the following gallery that highlights the wonderful and interesting selection of Art Deco automobiles on display at the Frist.

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery

 

1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection
1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection. Parisian coachbuilders Joseph Figoni and Ovidio Falaschi produced this special Delahaye for the 1937 Paris Auto Salon. The dark red leather interior and matching carpets were provided by Hermès.
1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection
1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection
1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection
1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection
1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection
1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster, Courtesy of The Revs Institute for Automotive Research and the Collier Collection
1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe in the main gallery.
1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe in the main gallery.
1930 Jordan Model Z Speedway Ace Roadster
1930 Jordan Model Z Speedway Ace Roadster, Collection of Edmund J. Stecker Family Trust
1930 Jordan Model Z Speedway Ace Roadster
1930 Jordan Model Z Speedway Ace Roadster, Collection of Edmund J. Stecker Family Trust
1930 Jordan Model Z Speedway Ace Roadster
1930 Jordan Model Z Speedway Ace Roadster, Collection of Edmund J. Stecker Family Trust

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery Page Two

 

1936 Delahaye 135M Figoni and Falaschi Competition Coupe, Collection of Jim Petersen
1936 Delahaye 135M Figoni and Falaschi Competition Coupe, Collection of Jim Petersen
1936 Delahaye 135M Figoni and Falaschi Competition Coupe, Collection of Jim Petersen
1936 Delahaye 135M Figoni and Falaschi Competition Coupe, Collection of Jim Petersen. Commissioned by French racing driver Albert Perrot, the Delahaye was one of French coachbuilders Joseph Figoni and Ovidio Falaschi’s first aerodynamic coupe designs. Built on one of the fifty short chassis designed for sporty two-seater models, it was equipped with a four-speed competition-style manual transmission for rallies and powered by a 4-liter Delahaye six with three downdraft Solex carburetors.
Front: 1936 Delahaye 135M Figoni and Falaschi Competition Coupe. Back: 1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster
Front: 1936 Delahaye 135M Figoni and Falaschi Competition Coupe. Back: 1937 Delahaye 135MS Roadster
1929 Cord L-29 Cabriolet, Collection of Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
1929 Cord L-29 Cabriolet, Collection of Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Previously owned by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who purchased this stunning cabriolet, painted it his signature Taliesin orange, and owned it until his death in 1959.
1929 Cord L-29 Cabriolet, Collection of Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
1929 Cord L-29 Cabriolet, Collection of Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Previously owned by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who purchased this stunning cabriolet, painted it his signature Taliesin orange, and owned it until his death in 1959.
Frist Center For the Visual Arts - lobby ceiling detail.
Frist Center For the Visual Arts – lobby ceiling detail.
1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery Page Three

 

1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Voisin Type C27 Aerosport Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1930 Henderson KJ Streamline, Collection of Frank Westfall
1930 Henderson KJ Streamline, Collection of Frank Westfall. Powered by a 1,200-cc, 40-brake horsepower, in-line four-cylinder engine, the Streamline could exceed 100 mph. It was reportedly hard to ride and the complex curved body was heavy and was difficult to make.
1930 Henderson KJ Streamline, Collection of Frank Westfall
1930 Henderson KJ Streamline, Collection of Frank Westfall.
1940 Indian Chief, Collection of Gary Sanford
1940 Indian Chief, Collection of Gary Sanford
1940 Indian Chief, Collection of Gary Sanford
1940 Indian Chief, Collection of Gary Sanford
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, Collection of Chrysler Group, LLC
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, Collection of Chrysler Group, LLC
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, Collection of Chrysler Group, LLC
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, Collection of Chrysler Group, LLC

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery Page Four

 

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, Collection of Chrysler Group, LLC
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, Collection of Chrysler Group, LLC
1939 Delage D-120S Saoutchik Cabriolet, Collection of John W. Rich, Jr.
1939 Delage D-120S Saoutchik Cabriolet, Collection of John W. Rich, Jr.
1939 Delage D-120S Saoutchik Cabriolet, Collection of John W. Rich, Jr.
1939 Delage D-120S Saoutchik Cabriolet, Collection of John W. Rich, Jr.
Front: 1939 Delage D-120S Saoutchik Cabriolet. Back: 1939 Bugatti Type 57C
Front: 1939 Delage D-120S Saoutchik Cabriolet. Back: 1939 Bugatti Type 57C
1939 Bugatti Type 57C by Vanvooren, Collection of Margie and Robert E. Petersen
1939 Bugatti Type 57C by Vanvooren, Collection of Margie and Robert E. Petersen

1939 Bugatti Type 57C By Vanvooren Collection of Margie and Robert E. Petersen

1939 Bugatti Type 57C by Vanvooren, Collection of Margie and Robert E. Petersen
1939 Bugatti Type 57C by Vanvooren, Collection of Margie and Robert E. Petersen. When Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Prince of Persia and future Shah of Iran married Egypt’s Princess Fawzia, France sent this Type 57C with custom coachwork by Vanvooren of Paris as a wedding present.
1935 Chrysler Imperial Model C-2 Airflow Coupe, Collection of John and Lynn Heimerl
1935 Chrysler Imperial Model C-2 Airflow Coupe, Collection of John and Lynn Heimerl

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery Page Five

 

1936 Cord 810 "Armchair" Beverly Sedan, Collection of Richard and Debbie Fass
1936 Cord 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan, Collection of Richard and Debbie Fass. The “Armchair” Beverly featured a quartet of easy chairs, each with its own armrest.
1935 Chrysler Imperial Model C-2 Airflow Coupe, Collection of John and Lynn Heimerl
1935 Chrysler Imperial Model C-2 Airflow Coupe, Collection of John and Lynn Heimerl. One of ten known to survive of just 200 built.
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University. One of three surviving Silver Arrows, the Phillip O. Wright-designed streamlined fastback coupe could top 115 mph when its 175-hp V-12 was wound to the fullest.
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan, Academy of Art University
Front: 1936 Scout Scarab. Back: 1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan
Front: 1936 Scout Scarab. Back: 1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow Sedan
1936 Scout Scarab, Collection of Larry Smith
1936 Scout Scarab, Collection of Larry Smith

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery Page Six

 

1936 Scout Scarab, Collection of Larry Smith
1936 Scout Scarab, Collection of Larry Smith
1936 Scout Scarab, Collection of Larry Smith
1936 Scout Scarab, Collection of Larry Smith
1938 Tatra T97, Lane Motor Museum
1938 Tatra T97, Lane Motor Museum
1938 Tatra T97, Lane Motor Museum
1938 Tatra T97, Lane Motor Museum
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet "Xenia" Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet “Xenia” Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet "Xenia" Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet “Xenia” Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet "Xenia" Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet “Xenia” Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet "Xenia" Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet “Xenia” Coupe, Collection of Peter Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation. Using a French built Hispano-Suiza chassis, the Xenia Coupe was conceived by André Dubonnet, designed by Jean Andreau and hand-built in the coachbuilding shop of Jacques Saoutchik.
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1106 Sport Coupe by Lebaron
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1106 Sport Coupe by LeBaron

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

Front: 1934 Packard Twelve Model 1106 Sport Coupe by Lebaron. Back: 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet "Xenia" Coupe
Front: 1934 Packard Twelve Model 1106 Sport Coupe by LeBaron. Back: 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet “Xenia” Coupe
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1106 Sport Coupe by Lebaron, Collection of Robert and Sandra Bahre
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1106 Sport Coupe by LeBaron, Collection of Robert and Sandra Bahre
1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Tear-Drop Coupe, Collection of J. Willard Marriott, Jr.
1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Teardrop Coupe, Collection of J. Willard Marriott, Jr.
1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Tear-Drop Coupe, Collection of J. Willard Marriott, Jr.
1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Teardrop Coupe, Collection of J. Willard Marriott, Jr.
1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Tear-Drop Coupe, Collection of J. Willard Marriott, Jr.
1938 Talbot-Lago T-150C-SS Teardrop Coupe, Collection of J. Willard Marriott, Jr. This is the first of twelve “New York-style” Talbot-Lago coupes built by Figoni and Falaschi between 1937 and 1939, so-called because it was first introduced at the 1937 New York Auto Show at the Grand Central Palace.
1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe, Collection of Merle and Peter Mullin
Left: 1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe. Right: 1934 Voisin Type C27. Back: 1934 Packard Twelve, 1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow.
Left: 1934 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe. Right: 1934 Voisin Type C27. Back: 1934 Packard Twelve, 1934 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow.
1934 Edsel Ford’s Model 40 Special Speedster, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
1934 Edsel Ford’s Model 40 Special Speedster, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles – Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

1934 Edsel Ford’s Model 40 Special Speedster, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
1934 Edsel Ford’s Model 40 Special Speedster, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet "Xenia" Coupe is moved into place.
1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet “Xenia” Coupe is moved into place.
The 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt parks temporarily in the lobby of the Frist.
The 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt parks temporarily in the lobby of the Frist.
1939 Delage D8-120 Saoutchik Cabriolet - Classics filled the hallway.
1939 Delage D8-120 Saoutchik Cabriolet – Classics filled the hallway.
The First Center for the Visual Arts. The former Post Office was built in 1934.
The First Center for the Visual Arts. The former Post Office was built in 1934.
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts fronts Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts fronts Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The lobby of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts during member preview.
The lobby of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts during member preview.
The main gallery was awash with people during the Member Preview.
The main gallery was awash with people during the Member Preview.
Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles
Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles

[Source: Frist Museum; photos: Bruce Sweetman]