The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 13, the Dodge Fire Arrow III

1953 Dodge Fire Arrow III

We finally start getting into some automotive designs by US manufacturers with the Dodge Fire Arrow III. Dodge looked to the Turin, Italy-based firm of Ghia who utilized designs by stylist Luigi Segre for this modernist masterpiece. Powered by a Hemi V8 the Fire Arrow had plenty of steam to impress even the most jaded automotive expert. I'd love to have this as a weekend car for tooling around Atlanta in typical Mad Men style - me wearing the thin lapeled black suite and skinny tie...

Next up, the 1948 Tucker Model 48 Torpedo

The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 12, the Jaguar XK-SS Roadster

1957 Jaguar XK-SS Roadster

I've always had something of a soft-heart for Jaguars - one of my dream cars is an early model E-Type roadster and at one point I owned and restored a Jaguar MK2S (long gone now but not forgotten). In any case the XK-SS sort of heralded the modern Jag's appearance along with the D-Type (precursor to the E-Type) - this example was really stunning. I wish I had gotten better images but most came out too blurred to publish (and my apologies for the inferior images I've posted here - they really don't provide justice to this fine lady).

Next up, the 1953 Dodge Fire Arrow III.

-- John

The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 11, the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR

One of nine SLR roadsters designed by Rudolph Uhlenhaut, the MB 300 SLR was created to compete in the World Sports Car Championship and won it handily in 1955. Sadly Daimler-Benz decided to withdraw completely from racing the following year after a 300 SLR crashed in the 1955 LeMans 24-Hour race, killing eighty spectators.

This is the first roadster version of the famous 300 SLR gull-wing coup I've ever seen - the coup is often listed in the coveted "Dream Car" category and yes, the doors are cool - however to me the roadster has the streamline modern lines that pull it away from the pack - what a beauty! I had the privilege of doing some body-work on a 190SLR - there's very little comparison to that more common model.

Next up, the 1957 Jaguar XK-SS Roadster

-- John

The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 10, the Aston Martin Zagato

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato

Designed via a partnership between Aston Martin owner John Wyer and Italian coach builder Gianni Zagato, the DB4GT was intended for competition, as revealed through this stunning design by Ercole Spada. It's evident that the design mimics Ferrari's successful 250 GT Berlinetta - this example as been "dressed up" with bumpers and some additional chrome. Of the nineteen built, only six were left-hand drive.

If the car looks a bit familiar, it's younger brother the DB5 was made famous in Ian Flemming's Thunderball with Sean Connery at the wheel (and behind the switches for all the gadgetry).

Next up, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR

-- John