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

The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 9, Porsche Type 64

1938-1939 Porsche Type 64
This is a rather unusual specimen for an exhibit - it's actually a recreation of the Type 64 chassis, based on plans of what's thought of as the first Porsche, the VW Aerocoupe. Sort of the missing-link between the VW (the Type 60) and the later Porsche 356, the body design was made by Porsche Büro after wind tunnel tests for a race car that was never built. Only three Type 64s were made, hand-shaped in aluminum by the bodywork company Reutter - only one survived the war. I consider this model to be a prime example of both industrial and streamline design in automobile manufacturing. If you squint a bit you can see the VW origin (squash a VW a bit and narrow the drivers compartment, then smooth out and extend the fenders and you're there). I like the way they have it displayed - seems to be floating in mid air (reminds you of Earth vs the Saucer Men).

Tough taking photos of the chassis - the High had it tucked into a corner so there was only about 20 feet along one edge where I could find a vantage point.

Next up, the 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato

The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 8, the Bugatti Atalante

1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

This is pretty much awesomeness, personified and a very strong offering by Bugatti. Jean Bugatti designed the Atlante as a production Grand Tourer on the Type 57 chassis. This is one of about forty built before World War II which halted all production. This example was restored in 1996 to its original color scheme, placing second in its class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in that year.

The placard notes: "Ettore Bugatti was a mildly eccentric and utterly brilliant Italian engineer who, from 1911 to 1939, built automobiles of uncompromising elegance and sporting competence. Bugatti's cars were expensive, temperamental, technically complex, and - in the case of this example - hauntingly beautiful."

My favorite bits on this beautiful car are the heavily distended front fenders, the rounded rear and the utterly awesome tail-pipes - we should all have 6 come out back there...

Next up, the 1938-1939 Porsche Type 64

-- John

The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 7, the Delage D8-120s

1937 Delage D8-120S

French automaker Delage used Parisian coachbuilder Marcel Purtout and stylist Georges Paulin to create this fluid, streamlined masterpiece, the D8-120S. This was one of the first automobiles to be first tested using a scale model in a wind tunnel, now a common practice but unheard of in the 30s. My favorite features are the teardrop-shaped fenders, steel artillery-spoked wheels and lack of bumpers and parking lights. And we're once again treated to the Batmobile-invoking rear.

Next up, the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante

-- John

The Allure of the Automobile Exhibit at the High Part 6, the Xenia

1937 Dubonnet Hispano-Suiza H-6C "Xenia."

There's a lot to like about this Dubonnet creation - the epitome of avant-garde streamline, the graceful curves and airplane fuselage-inspired tail lend itself well to being copied by current manufacturers' attempts at a concept car. I particularly like the sliding doors which I believe was a unique feature for the time. I first saw the rear of this beautiful creation as I turned the demising wall at the High (behind the "showcase" car) - it really just knocked my socks off.

Next up, 1937 Delage D8-120S

-- John