What are art deco cars?

Art Deco was a defining cultural movement that influenced nearly every creative field between the two World Wars. It left its mark on architecture, interior design, paintings, advertisements, and more, blending lavishness with practicality to forge a new artistic identity.

This design philosophy also found its way into cars, especially the high-end European models of the 1930s. Despite the global hardships of the Great Depression, a wealthy elite emerged who demanded automobiles that exuded the glamour and luxury of the time, even as they remained an expensive rarity.

During this golden age, manufacturers like Delahaye, Delage, Talbot-Lago, Voisin, and Bugatti were crafting extraordinary vehicles that average people could only dream of owning. Renowned coachbuilders like Chapron, Figoni et Falaschi, Gangloff, and Vanvooren designed breathtaking car bodies that continue to inspire awe to this day [source: Garrett].

The cars from the Art Deco period were characterized by flowing fenders, elongated hoods, and sleek, streamlined silhouettes. Unlike today's vehicles, these were more than just functional machines -- they were statements of style and sophistication. These design elements also influenced more affordable American models, such as the iconic Chrysler Airflow.

In this article, we’ll take a step back to an era of grandeur and optimism when extravagant cars dominated the streets. We’ll explore the Art Deco movement, its impact on automotive design, and where some of the most striking vehicles ever made can be found today.

What is art deco?

Before diving into Art Deco cars, let’s first explore the artistic movement that sparked their creation. The term Art Deco refers to a shift in visual design across various mediums -- from paintings and architecture to household items -- that occurred between the two world wars and beyond.

The Art Deco movement originated in Paris, evolving from the earlier Art Nouveau style, which had gained popularity around the turn of the 20th century. Art Nouveau was known for its intricate decorations, organic floral and plant motifs, and flowing, curved shapes.

Emerging in the 1920s and 1930s, Art Deco was a more simplified version of Art Nouveau. Its designs featured bold geometric shapes, clean lines, and vivid colors, all while embracing a streamlined aesthetic. Art Deco emphasized luxury and elegance, a reaction to the austerity of World War I, and mirrored the lavishness of the roaring '20s. It also drew on imagery from ancient cultures, including Egypt and the Aztec civilization.

The Art Deco style flourished during the interwar period, a time of rapid urban expansion. Many iconic buildings, such as the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, and the Chrysler Building in New York City, exemplify this style. Cities like Los Angeles and Miami also boast numerous Art Deco buildings, reflecting its popularity during the heyday of "Old Hollywood."

Art Deco furniture catered to the luxury market, featuring rounded shapes, minimalist designs, and premium materials like wood, metal, and leather. These pieces were designed to be both functional and aesthetically modern.

The popularity of Art Deco began to wane in the 1940s as the world entered another war, prompting a shift in design trends. However, its influence persisted throughout the decade, and there have been several efforts to revive the style. Even today, Art Deco continues to inspire and captivate new generations.

On the following page, we’ll explore how Art Deco influenced automobile design and highlight some of the most iconic Art Deco cars.

What were Art Deco cars?

Art Deco gained widespread popularity in the 1920s and 1930s due to its bold yet elegant approach to style. The cars of this time were no exception — they were glamorous and exciting, designed to be more than just means of transport.

Cars from the Art Deco period were typically two-door coupes and roadsters with long hoods and compact, rounded trunks. These vehicles featured wide, sweeping fenders, circular headlights, and heavy chrome detailing. Streamlined design was another hallmark, with smooth, flowing curves that made these cars look as if they were in motion, even when stationary.

These cars come from the golden age of coachbuilding, where one company, like Bugatti, would create the basic chassis and engine, and another would craft the custom body and interior to meet the exact desires of the owner.

Some of the finest examples of Art Deco cars were produced in France, the birthplace of the movement. Many of these vehicles were like opulent land yachts for the rich, boasting powerful engines. Notable models include the Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet, which featured a 9.0-liter, 12-cylinder aircraft engine, the Delahaye 165 convertible with its V-12 engine, and the Delage D8-120 Cabriolet, priced at $200,000 — an extravagant sum when the average American home cost only $3,800 [source: Garrett].

Art Deco's influence wasn't limited to the ultra-luxurious. Over time, the movement also inspired the design of more accessible cars. One example is the Chrysler Airflow, which embraced Art Deco’s flowing lines, rounded fenders, and a distinctive curved 'waterfall' grille. Although its sales were modest — its avant-garde styling perhaps too bold for the average buyer at the time — today, it’s celebrated as a design icon.

Next, we'll take a look at modern Art Deco cars and discover the fate of many of these classic vehicles.

Where are the Art Deco cars today?

While Art Deco was a dominant style in the 1920s and 1930s, tastes inevitably changed, and the flamboyant, extravagant designs gradually gave way to more restrained aesthetics as time passed. The cars themselves became exceedingly rare, as many of the iconic Bugattis and Delahayes were produced in limited quantities. Furthermore, the devastation of World War II led to the demise of many manufacturers and their vehicles.

Today, cars from the Art Deco era can command incredibly high prices at auction, especially when they are confirmed to be genuine and in top condition. For instance, a 1937 Bugatti 57SC sold for nearly $8 million at auction in 2008.

Many surviving vehicles from the Art Deco era have found a permanent home in museums. One of the premier institutions dedicated to these cars is the Mullin Automotive Museum, which focuses on celebrating French automobiles of the 1930s. The collection, curated by Los Angeles businessman Peter Mullin, also includes automobiles and motorcycles that once belonged to Otis Chandler, the former publisher of the Los Angeles Times and an avid car collector.

Located in Oxnard, California, Mullin's museum showcases iconic vehicles like a 1934 Voisin C27 Grand Sport Cabriolet once owned by the Shah of Persia, a restored 1938 Delahaye 165 convertible, and a stunning burgundy 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C SS Speciale Teardrop Coupe.

In a way, traces of Art Deco styling can still be seen today. The Bugatti Veyron supercar incorporates some of the curvaceous, striking designs of its predecessors, though these elements are primarily designed to enhance its ability to reach speeds of 200 miles per hour (321.9 kilometers per hour).

Additionally, modern cars such as the Chrysler PT Cruiser feature design elements that nod to the Art Deco era. However, these vehicles don’t exhibit the same level of grandeur seen in the past. The age of extravagance that produced the magnificent cars from brands like Delahaye and Panhard seems to have faded into history.